YORK residents have been urged to check an evacuation plan for the city centre which would be brought into force in a major emergency.

The plan lists how all or part of the area within the bar walls would be cleared if necessary, with the city centre being split into three areas with 24 numbered zones.

It has been drawn up after City of York Council consulted councillors, emergency services, bus and taxi firms and businesses, as well as York Station.

Businesses and organisations in York have been given maps of the areas and zones so staff can familiarise themselves with the plan, and have been advised to have their own evacuation procedures ready. The map can be found at york.gov.uk

Coun Dafydd Williams said: “This plan is designed for dealing with smaller-scale incidents within the bar walls and also larger-scale ones, such as a major fire, with safety uppermost in our minds.”