A LEADING councillor has called for an investigation into York transport boss Ann Reid's decision to "green light" her daughter's wedding convoy.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, the opposition Labour group's transport spokeswoman, said an inquiry into the matter was the only way to restore public confidence in City of York Council, and would help to clear up how it was allowed to happen.

As reported in the Evening Press on Saturday, Coun Reid, has said she regretted agreeing to the five-car wedding convoy being used to help test out a new traffic light system, which will help emergency vehicles get more quickly to calls.

Her daughter's wedding party was whisked through the city on green traffic lights - all the way to the ceremony.

Coun Simpson-Laing told the Evening Press: "I think an investigation should take place to look into why the officers suggested this to Coun Reid, why she accepted the offer, and the cost implications.

"Gifts we receive as councillors which are over £25 must be declared. If this (the traffic lights testing) is seen as a gift why wasn't it declared?

"Obviously this has become a national story and reflects badly on City of York Council. We need to bring the events to a conclusion that satisfies all parties and the residents of York."

Coun Simpson-Laing said the green-way system was a fantastic idea, but should have been tested by the vehicles that would actually have used it.

But council leader Steve Galloway said the exercise did not cost anything to carry out.

"If anyone has objections to raise there are protocols within the council," he said.

"The monitoring officer can be contacted or they can ask for a scrutiny investigation, but both would be heavy-handed for a situation like this."

Under the sophisticated system, each set of traffic lights turns green as soon as an emergency vehicle approaches, to give them a clear passage to incidents.

A council spokeswoman said the wedding party had provided a "useful opportunity" to try out the system, and the test run to the ceremony at the Treasurer's House, near York Minster, had been a success.

Updated: 09:25 Wednesday, October 19, 2005