Wouldn't it be nice to have less congestion in York?

The video opens with each person telling us about their experiences of transport in York, before going on to explain what the Council is doing about these issues.

The first of two films to communicate the new Local Transport Strategy (LTS), which was adopted in 2024, this video highlights findings from the public consultation on the LTS. It also shows how this year alone £10m of nationally allocated, ringfenced funding is being invested in resurfacing pavements, roads and pathways; lighting; real-time bus information; a barrier removal programme, and delivering on our adopted Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

The video will be followed in the coming weeks by a public consultation on improvements to the Park and Ride sites including accessible EV charging bays, new toilets (including Changing Spaces facilities), overnight parking facilities, plus better signage, lighting and integrated transport options.

Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, said “Not only does this video show the wonderful diversity of people and transport options we have across York, but the very real impacts that transport has on all our lives, and the reasons why we are working hard to improve options for how people move around. 

I hope all residents can see a little of themselves across the eight stories, and I’m looking forward to unveiling some of our new plans as well as updating everyone on all the great work our teams are doing to make York a healthier, more sustainable and better-connected city.

I’d like to thank the eight residents and businesses, as well as the venues used for filming, plus the highways and transport teams who helped coordinate all the elements of filming.”

The eight residents represent the following issues, and how we are resolving them:

• A woman bus driver who asks “Wouldn’t it be nice to have less traffic in York?” – our on-going work to make buses more accessible, promote bus use and lower the cost of bus travel for young people has already helped to reduce the number of cars on the road, freeing up road space for those whose journeys are essential.
• A university student who uses a wheelchair and whose route is blocked by steel barriers – our barrier removal programme will begin in Spring and make dozens of pathways accessible again
• An older woman who isn’t online so can’t check bus times before she leaves the house – our bus team have improved over 200 elements at bus stops, including real time information screens, better shelters, lighting and seating
• A college student who doesn’t have buses running to their village – we work with each of the six bus operators in York to help subsidise existing services, and continue to work with the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire to ensure financial support for bus services offers better travel options for residents and businesses
• A woman runner who has to choose different routes depending on lighting and personal safety considerations – our lighting teams have been installing new LED lights across the city, and will deliver future improvements at the Jubilee Terrace to Scarborough Bridge Riverside Path (where the runner was filmed)
• A woman who uses an adapted cycle and would like to explore more of York – our LCWIP will help us create a more joined up and accessible cycle network, as well as increasing the number of accessible cycle parking spaces in the city centre. To further improve access for disabled residents, we have been increasing the number of Blue Badge holder bays across York
• A business owner who explains the issues his delivery drivers face, with congestion causing problems for businesses. By encouraging more people to use public transport and travel by wheeling and walking, we aim to reduce the level of congestion in the city and miles travelled by vehicles by 20% by 2030
• And a young person who just loves riding their cycle but faces a lot of traffic. By encouraging more people to leave the car at home where they can, we are creating better environments for people of all ages

The video is available on YouTube

Notes to editors:

Filming took place in Fulford, Naburn and Acomb, as well as on Nunnery Lane, Walmgate Stray, Millennium Bridge, Blossom St, The Mount and Riverside Path and at York College and at Middleton’s Hotel.

In addition to the people featured in the film and the lining, lighting, road maintenance, communities teams within CYC, our thanks go to York College, Transdev, Get Cycling CIC, Middleton’s Hotel and to York based videographer, Paul Richardson.