Campaigners join forces to oppose ‘climate-wrecking’ plan for key York road

Plans to dual a section of York’s outer ring road will wreck the city’s climate change strategy, say campaigners who have joined forces to oppose the scheme.

Extinction Rebellion York, the York Cycle Campaign and the York Environment Forum have united for a public meeting which will “kick off the campaign against the short-sighted plan”.

Around 100 objections have been lodged against the £70m scheme, due to start this year and be completed by 2025.

The work would dual the road in both directors between the A19 at Shipton Road to A1036 at Little Hopgrove.

Five roundabouts – at Clifton Moor, Wigginton Road, Haxby Road, Strensall Road and Monks Cross will be enlarged.

The ring road scheme is expected to be approved by the planning committee meeting on 2 February, which will mark exactly seven weeks since the council adopted its climate change strategy.

Laura Autumn Cox, a member of Extinction Rebellion York, said, “York has just adopted its climate change strategy, calling for a 71% reduction in emissions from transport in York.

“And as their first major act, they plan a significant expansion in road capacity, which will take us in the opposite direction.”

“It’s been known for decades that tackling congestion by roadbuilding increases traffic levels and emissions. This is exactly the sort of development that we can’t afford in a climate emergency.

“York council are building more space for cars to idle, producing more climate-wrecking emissions. We need a sane, sustainable transport policy, and it is incredible that this plan is being considered.”

Robyn Jankel, chair of York Cycle Campaign, said: “The proposals completely fail Government guidance in multiple locations, leaving pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders stranded and unable to safely cross the road.

“Instead of improving active travel this proposal will isolate communities and damage local businesses.”

Richard Lane, a renewable energy consultant and supporter of Extinction Rebellion, said, “The council is making spurious claims that the mixed-used paths will somehow help to promote active travel in York, and that the limited amount of planting will somehow compensate for the additional pollution and the countryside that will be disappearing under Tarmac.

“This is pure greenwash.”

Campaigners say no attempt has been made in the environmental assessment to account for the “induced demand” of additional drivers using the road – despite national guidance that this should be taken into account.

One study showed that work to widen the M25 completed in 2012 resulted in a 23% increase in traffic volumes.