YORK’S transport boss has agreed to allocate £300,000 for the next stage of plans to introduce a city-wide 20mph speed, sparking criticism from opposition councillors.

Coun Dave Merrett, City of York Council’s cabinet member for transport, has rubber-stamped the allocation for the next year, focusing on introducing the limits on all residential streets in west York and developing the remainder of the project.

Coun Ann Reid, transport spokeswoman for the council’s Liberal Democrat group, said a blanket 20mph rule was unnecessary as accident rates had already started falling through “targeted” use of the lower limits, and said the ruling Labour group should focus on specific traffic and speeding problems rather than a city-wide scheme.

The council has said head teachers and businesses in west York support its plans.