YORK'S transport boss today welcomed the news that no action would be taken against her over the "green wave" controversy.

The Standards Board for England has decided that Coun Ann Reid should not be censured after she agreed for her daughter's wedding convoy to be used to test out an emergency traffic light system.

The Standards Board is responsible for promoting high ethical standards and investigating allegations that councillors' behaviour may have fallen short of required standards

A board spokeswoman told the Evening Press today that the Ethical Standards Officer had decided that, following an independent investigation, "no action needs to be taken" against Coun Reid.

Council leader Steve Galloway said: "I am not surprised (at the outcome). I am very pleased and it's good that a completely independent body has come to that conclusion."

Coun Reid sparked controversy after agreeing for the five car wedding convoy for her daughter Hannah's wedding to be used to test out a lights system which helps emergency vehicles get more quickly to calls.

The party was whisked through nine sets of green lights - all the way to the ceremony, in August last year.

Coun Reid, who later apologised for "lapse in my usual high standards", referred the issue to the Standards Board for England.

The board said it would be revealing full details of the case in a summary in the next couple of weeks. It said it could not comment any further at this stage. Coun Reid today said she welcomed the conclusions.

"I am pleased that the Standards Board for England has now confirmed its findings into the investigation regarding my self-referral.

"I welcome their conclusion that no action is warranted. I hope that a line is drawn and I can concentrate on doing the job for which I was elected."

How the Ann Reid lights saga unfolded

August 12, 2005: Convoy of five vehicles heading for the wedding of Coun Reid's daughter, Hannah, passes through nine sets of green lights on the way to the church to test a new emergency traffic lights system.

October 15: Coun Reid apologises, through the Evening Press, for the "misjudgement and lapse in my usually high standards".

October 20: Coun Reid says she will not resign, but pledges to stand by any sanctions recommended if there is to be a Standards Board investigation.

October 22: The story makes headlines around the world, ppearing in the Melbourne Herald Sun, in Australia, under the headline Better Wed Than Red.

November 8: The Evening Press reveals Labour is proposing a vote of no confidence in Coun Reid at a full council meeting on November 15.

November 16: The council is unable to take the vote, in the light of a possible Standards Board investigation. Coun Dave Merrett brands the green light affair "incredibly damaging".

January 30, 2006: An Evening Press Freedom of Information Act request reveals there was no written evidence to back up claims that Coun Reid had been asked to test out the system.

Headlines all round the world

IT was the journey which made worldwide headlines.

Coun Ann Reid did not believe there was a problem when officers asked her if she would like to use her daughter's wedding day to trial the traffic lights system.

But when the story appeared in more than 100 TV, radio and newspaper reports worldwide - including on satirical political show Have I Got News For You - the Woodthorpe councillor apologised for the "lapse in my usually high standards".

The Evening Press mailbag was packed with letters from readers, some critical, others in support.

Updated: 14:56 Friday, March 03, 2006