YORK Balloon Fiesta may not return next year after the event led to traffic chaos for motorists and bus passengers.

Cllr Ian Gillies, leader of City of York Council, said the festival was a big success but the local authority had to take some responsibility for the transport problems.

The fiesta, which took place on the weekend of September 29, led to severe delays on the roads and caused "gridlock" in the city centre according to First York, which tweeted that services were running an hour late.

At a council meeting on Tuesday, managing director of Make It York Steve Brown said it was still "to be decided" if the event will return in 2019.

He said: "The organiser was a bit bruised by what happened on the Saturday as we brought York to a standstill.

"We've worked very closely with him and it's hard work for him.

"I think he's debating whether to have a year off and come back in 2020 or to bring it back next year, so it's by no means a definite for 2019.

"If it does come back, sitting down with [bus company] First group and working out how we do transport better is the first conversation."

But Cllr Gillies said the popular festival had been a huge success and, speaking about the traffic, he added: "We got that sorted out on the second day. I think the council have to take some responsibility for that as well."