City of York Council is urging everyone to have their say and take part in the consultation of its ‘Our Big Transport Conversation’.
Our Big Transport Conversation, the largest public consultation on transport since 2010, will close at 11.59pm on Sunday 4 February. The consultation shares 10 key policy areas, including upgrading and improving rail services, which will help form a new Local Transport Plan and deliver a more sustainable and reliable transport network for several decades to come.
There are a number of ways people can take part, including reading and commenting on the full proposals online; attending an event; collecting information from their local library, or from our Customer Service team at West Offices; attending a ward committee meeting, or visiting the mobile library as it travels around villages and rural areas. Accessible versions of the documents are also available.
So far hundreds of residents and businesses have responded and teams have visited libraries, been out with the mobile library, welcomed engaging conversations with people at its Friargate events, and presented to York’s Youth Council, plus tourism and business leaders. Further public events are planned for January next year, including engagement with business and city leaders, accessibility groups and school assemblies.
A few topics have already emerged:
- buses – especially around routes, accessibility, and service timetables
- identifying physical barriers to cyclists and wheelchair users, particularly in some of the parks and more rural areas
- hospitality leaders have said that more support is needed for public transport in employment catchment areas outside the City of York Council boundary
- specific areas of congestion and pollution, such as Gillygate, and the impact on surrounding streets
Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy and Transport at City of York Council, said: “Thank you to everyone who has taken part so far – Our Big Transport Conversation is a genuine opportunity for residents, visitors and all stakeholders to share their thoughts on the future of travelling in to, out of, and around York.
“We’re here to listen to all feedback. We are really encouraged by the open and honest conversations we’re having on what can be a thorny issue.
“It’s not too late to take part and if you have not yet contributed then we really do want to hear from you. The closing date is 4 February so please do review the materials online, or pop along to one of our events and have a chat with our team.”
The full consultation details can be found on the Our Big Conversation website or you can email: ourbigconversation@york.gov.uk and let the team know your thoughts.
List of public events coming up:
- Monday 8 January – Friargate Meeting House, Friargate, 2.00pm to 5.00pm public drop-in
- Wednesday 10 January – Friargate Meeting House, Friargate, 2.00pm to 7.00pm public drop-in
- Saturday 13 January – Fulford and Fishergate ward meeting, St Oswald’s Church Hall, 10.00am to 12.00pm
- Monday 15 January – mobile library to Skelton (Brecksfield 2.40pm to 3.50pm) and Osbaldwick (The Leys 4.30pm to 5.30pm)
- Monday 15 January – Bishopthorpe Ward Meeting, back room, The Marcia, Main street, 6.00pm to 7.30pm
- Wednesday 17 January – Heslington and Hull Road ward meeting, Heslington Village Meeting Room, 6.30pm
- Saturday 20 January – Friargate Meeting House, Friargate, 2.00pm to 5.00pm public drop-in
- Tuesday 23 January – Wheldrake ward meeting, Elvington Village Hall, 6.00pm to 8.00pm
More events are being added, so keep an eye on the Our Big Conversation website to stay up-to-date.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
