IT IS beginning to look as though we may be in for a protracted legal battle over the Lendal Bridge and Coppergate traffic restrictions.

Having taken ‘independent legal advice’, City of York Council is adamant the fines it has issued to motorists were legal.

Government traffic adjudicator Stephen Knapp was equally adamant that they were not, however.

There must now be a very strong likelihood of the council appealing against Mr Knapp’s judgement.

Such continued uncertainty – let alone the possible cost of any such appeal – is probably the last thing many people in York want to see.

The traffic restrictions have divided opinion. There are many people who have been bitterly opposed, especially to the restrictions on Lendal Bridge.

Others, however, have backed the measures.

We have always said we supported the Lendal Bridge scheme as a trial. But the trial itself ended more than a month ago. The traffic restrictions have dragged on while the results were analysed. Now, with an appeal possible, they could potentially drag on with no proper resolution for weeks or months more.

We hope that doesn’t happen. The council must analyse the results of the experiment. If they prove it has not succeeded in its aim of improving air quality and traffic flow, the restrictions should be scrapped.

If the evidence proves that the restrictions have done what they were meant to do, meanwhile...well, then politicians have a decision to make. But they should make it quickly, in the full knowledge that the way the experiment has been handled has left the public with very little appetite for it.