BBC U-turns on local radio cuts in the south – but presses on with plan to slash Radio York output

The BBC says it has revised plans to cut programmes on local radio.

However the stations affected are all in the south of England and plans to slash local broadcasting hours in North Yorkshire appear to be going ahead.

Jason Horton, Director of Production, BBC Local, says the corporation has made the changes to the original proposal following feedback from staff and audiences.

However, local programming from BBC Radio York at Bootham Row will still only air from 6am till 2pm on weekdays.

Yet BBC Radio Solent in Southampton will be allowed to run its own afternoon shows as usual if the new plan, described by commentators as “rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic” goes ahead.

There will also be an extra programme in the west of England where BBC Radio Bristol will share with BBC Somerset and BBC Radio Wiltshire will share with BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

At the weekend, the plan now is to increase the number of daytime regional shows from 12 to 18 between 10am and 2pm on Saturday and Sunday mornings. This will still mean there are no programmes specifically for North Yorkshire during this time.

A recent NUJ ballot showed 90% of staff would support action short of a strike and 80% would support strike action.

Meanwhile 300 people also expressed an interest in voluntary redundancy. Many with well over 30 years of experience could end up following Radio 2 star Ken Bruce out of the BBC.

Jason Horton told Radio Today: “Our goal over the next 12 months is to modernise our BBC Local services in England to strengthen our online provision for communities across the country. We have listened carefully to the feedback we have received about proposed changes to BBC Local Radio programming.

“As a result, we are making a number of amendments to the original plan in order to strike the best possible balance between live and on-demand services.”