New sources of funding for the York Outer Ring Road are set to be explored, the council’s transport spokesperson has said amid warnings the project could be scaled back.
City of York Council transport lead Cllr Kate Ravilious said the dualling parts of the A1237 remained a high priority but a review was essential due to inflation pushing up costs.
York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith said he would continue to work with the council while a government spokesperson said they were investing £25m in the project.
But a council report warned it was unlikely that a significant gap in funding for the project would be closed and its scope may have to be reduced as a result.
Opposition Liberal Democrat transport lead Cllr Stephen Fenton has called on the mayor and government to step in with new funding to save the project.
It comes as the council’s executive is set to discuss the issue on Tuesday (21 January) in a meeting budget plans for the coming financial year.
The council’s report stated plans for the York Outer Ring Road would be assessed to see which parts of it offer the best value for money.
It added it was likely that some of the dualling would be dropped and the focus would be shifted to improving roundabouts and active travel measures.
The council is currently drawing up a revised business case for the scheme which it hopes to send to the Government by the summer.
It is hoped that work on the revised project could begin in late 2026.
The council’s report stated the economy had suffered several shocks including Brexit, the war in Ukraine and high inflation since plans for the Outer Ring Road were first drawn up.
Funding worth £25m was pledged by the Department of Transport to the Outer Ring Road in 2019.
York Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Cllr Fenton said the warnings showed it was make or break time for the project which is vital for the city’s future development.
Cllr Fenton said: “The housing developments around the north of the city are reliant on investment in infrastructure such as A1237 dualling.
“York’s Local Plan is set to deliver thousands of much-needed new homes, unless the dualling of the ring road is delivered there is a real risk of gridlock. I
“f the scheme is dropped or scaled back it will also hinder efforts to reduce through-traffic in the city centre.”
Essential review
Labour transport spokesperson Cllr Ravilious said a full update on revisions to the scheme and the council’s options was set for the spring.
The executive member said: “The Outer Ring Road dualling scheme was costed several years ago, so it’s essential we review the scheme, its costs and bring the business case up to date.
“Once we know the updated costs we’ll explore funding options with the Government and the mayor.
“The Local Plan rests on improvements to the Outer Ring Road and meeting that commitment remains a high priority for the current Labour administration.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We are investing £25m in the York Outer Ring Road scheme, and we continue to work with the council on the plans and expect to receive its full business case before summer.”
It follows warnings about funding for other major projects in York, including the Station Gateway scheme.
The council’s report stated that future phases of the project to improve the frontage, road and area outside York Station remain in doubt.
Council economy spokesperson Cllr Pete Kilbane told the media earlier this week additonal funding would be required to complete the remaining phases of the project.