Will city be the first in Britain to ban private cars?

YORK could become the first city in Britain to ban private cars from driving in the centre.

Council chiefs have backed plans to end all ‘non-essential’ vehicle journeys into the city centre by 2023.

Historic York, which attracts almost seven million visitors a year, has faced criticism for illegally high levels of air pollution.

To combat congestion and pollution, no vehicles – apart from buses and those used by disabled drivers – will be allowed to drive in an area within the city walls. The ban will apply to diesel and petrol cars – and likely to electric and hybrid vehicles as well.

It follows news that Bristol is to become the first UK city to ban diesel cars by 2021.

The City of York council aims to become carbon neutral by 2030, two decades before the Government’s target date for net zero emissions. Twelve locations in the city centre currently exceed national air quality standards, according to a pollution map released last year by Friends of the Earth.

Deputy council leader Andy D’Agorne said: ‘Reducing congestion and supporting more residents and visitors to move around our city through walking, cycling and public transport is essential to our ambition.’

Councillor Jonny Crawshaw, who represents a city centre ward, said: ‘This is about improving the range and attractiveness of alternative travel options.’

In November 2019, Bristol City Council announced plans to ban all privately owned diesel vehicles from entering a clean air zone within the city centre between 7am and 3pm by March 2021.

Critics said the move would make it harder for people to get to hospitals.

Conservative councillor Claire Hiscott said that those on low incomes could be affected as ‘if you need to get to the hospital and you have a diesel vehicle you will face a hefty fine if you cross that zone in an emergency’.