Our Big Transport Conversation

Closed 4 Feb 2024

Opened 23 Nov 2023

Overview

Between November 2023 and early February 2024, we held a significant public consultation looking at 10 policies to deliver a more sustainable future for York’s transport. The consultation is now closed. We are now analysing all the on- and off-line responses and will report on our findings; a summary will be presented to the March Council Executive meeting. We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to comment, including those we met in schools, libraries, activity sessions, accessibility groups, and at our drop-in events.

Why your views matter

York needs to prepare a new Local Transport Plan by summer 2024. This consultation will help us write that plan and pave the way to work with the new mayor of the incoming York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority. Once our plan is complete, we will then put our case to government and seek funding for the improvements we want to make in the decades to come.

We also have a new Council Plan for 2023 to 2027 (this link opens in a new window), which sets out our vision to make the city of York a healthier, fairer, more affordable, more sustainable and more accessible place, where everyone feels valued, creating more regional opportunities to help today's residents and benefit future generations. Transport has a vital role to play in delivering this vision.

We have also set ambitious targets to tackle climate change, including reducing carbon emissions from transport by 71% and reducing the number of miles travelled by car by 20% by 2030. This will not happen overnight and we know that first, we need to make changes and improvements so that walking, cycling or taking the bus are reliable, practical and attractive options.

The proposals in this consultation have been developed by elected councillors and we are now keen to hear your views. There are ten policy areas which we believe will help us deliver our ambitions for transport:

  1. Accessibility - so that everyone can access the areas and facilities they need and want
  2. Improving walking, wheeling and cycling - so that these become real alternatives to driving a car
  3. Shaping healthy places - offering a range of ways to move around and using the opportunity to provide better places for us to live, work and visit
  4. Improving public transport – upgrading and improving our bus and rail services
  5. Safeguarding the environment by cutting carbon, air pollution and noise - meeting climate change targets and improving the health of the city
  6. Create a Movement and Place plan - creating safe, connected transport networks for residents, businesses and visitors
  7. Reduce car dependency- supporting people to change how they travel, and encourage those who can, to reduce their journeys by car
  8. Improving freight and logistics - creating efficient access for businesses while reducing the impact of heavy vehicles
  9. Effective maintenance and enforcement - so that people choosing sustainable travel are safe, and that cycling, walking and wheeling routes are well maintained
  10. Monitoring the transport network and financing the changes - to ensure the effectiveness of our policies and attract funding to deliver York's new transport strategy as effectively as possible

Please share your views on these ten themes and tell us what you feel we could do to improve transport into, out of, and all around York.

In our documents you will see the word “wheeling”, which is a term used by organisations such as the Department for Transport and Active Travel England, and includes wheelchair users within their definition.

City of York Council recognises that wheelchair users have a unique set of mobility requirements. In using the term ‘wheelchair users’ in our materials, we are also including other users of wheeled mobility aids.  We will therefore make reference to “walking, wheelchair users, wheelers and cyclists”.

This consultation is an opportunity for you to share your views on transport in York and that includes a discussion on language and inclusivity, so we welcome your views, which you can send direct to ourbigconversation@york.gov.uk.

You can also download an accessible copy of our draft transport vision, objectives and policies document (this link opens in a new window) if you want more information.

What happens next

Your feedback will help us to shape the Local Transport Plan and ensure we have identified the right priorities. We would also like to hear about any ideas for improvements that we might include.

Once the consultation has closed, we will produce a full report and share our findings with you. All personal data will be removed before publication of the report.

For information about how your responses are managed please see the Privacy Notice.

Events

  • Drop-in event at Friargate Meeting House

    From 8 Jan 2024 at 14:00 to 8 Jan 2024 at 17:00

    Friargate Meeting House, Friargate, York, YO1 9RL
    Come along to a drop-in event. There is no need to book, you can just turn up between the times listed below.

  • Drop-in event at Friargate Meeting House

    From 10 Jan 2024 at 14:00 to 10 Jan 2024 at 19:00

    Friargate Meeting House, Friargate, York, YO1 9RL
    Come along to a drop-in event. There is no need to book, you can just turn up between the times listed below.

  • Drop-in event at Fulford & Fishergate ward meeting

    From 13 Jan 2024 at 10:00 to 13 Jan 2024 at 12:00

    St Oswald’s Church Hall, Main St, Fulford, York YO10 4HJ
    Come along to a drop-in event. There is no need to book, you can just turn up between the times listed below.

  • Drop-in event at Mobile library to Skelton

    From 15 Jan 2024 at 14:40 to 15 Jan 2024 at 17:30

    Mobile library to Skelton (Brecksfield 2.40pm to 3.50pm) & Osbaldwick (The Leys 4.30pm to 5.30pm)
    Come along to a drop-in event. There is no need to book, you can just turn up between the times listed below.

  • Drop-in event at Bishopthorpe Ward Meeting

    From 15 Jan 2024 at 18:00 to 15 Jan 2024 at 19:30

    Bishopthorpe Ward Meeting, back room, The Marcia, 29 Main St, Bishopthorpe, York YO23 2RA

    Come along to a drop-in event. There is no need to book, you can just turn up between the times listed below.

  • Drop-in event at Heslington & Hull Road ward meeting

    From 17 Jan 2024 at 18:00 to 17 Jan 2024 at 19:30

    Heslington & Hull Road ward meeting, Heslington Village Meeting Room, Main St, Heslington, York YO10 5EB

    Come along to a drop-in event. There is no need to book, you can just turn up between the times listed below.

  • Drop-in event at Friargate Meeting House

    From 20 Jan 2024 at 13:00 to 20 Jan 2024 at 17:00

    Friargate Meeting House, Friargate, York, YO1 9RL
    Come along to a drop-in event. There is no need to book, you can just turn up between the times listed below.

  • Drop-in event at Wheldrake ward meeting

    From 23 Jan 2024 at 18:00 to 23 Jan 2024 at 20:00

    Wheldrake ward meeting, Elvington Village Hall, Main St, Elvington, York YO41 4AA

    Come along to a drop-in event. There is no need to book, you can just turn up between the times listed below.

  • Heworth ward meeting

    From 30 Jan 2024 at 18:00 to 30 Jan 2024 at 20:00

    Heworth ward meeting, St Wulstan's Church, 48 Fossway, from 6-8pm on Tuesday 30th January

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • All