THE expert-led Congestion Commission planned to tackle traffic problems in York faces another level of scrutiny after it got the go-ahead from leading councillors this week.

The plans – which involve spending £135,000 on expert advice and appointing infrastructure boss Terry Hill as chairman – were approved by City of York Council’s Labour cabinet on Tuesday.

But now Conservative, Liberal Democrat and independent councillors have called the decision in, meaning it has to get the approval of the corporate and scrutiny management committee before it can go further.

Cllr Tony Richardson, Conservative member for Haxby and Wigginton, said it was naive of the current administration to try to set up a the commission to run over the May elections, which could result in a different party running the council.

The Liberal Democrat group leader said it was disappointing that key decisions such as the chairman, the remit, and the £135,000 cost had not been taken on a cross-party basis.

The scrutiny committee can decide to accept the original decision or, otherwise, can refer it back to cabinet with recommendations to change it.