Deadlines plea as city projects face delays

MAJOR PROJECTS in York have been hit by delays as the Government has been urged to extend national deadlines on developments.

The Government agreed to put essential funding towards the York Central scheme, which is set to transform one of the largest brownfield sites in the country, as well as plans to improve the train station’s frontage in March.

Proposals for the 110-acre York Central development would result in 6,500 jobs and 2,500 homes created.

However, details have not yet emerged about when the Government’s money will be made available.

And plans to dual the city’s outer ring road – the A1237 – and upgrade its roundabouts have been delayed by the need for a new “strategic model” as the schemes are due to be combined.

Members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s investment committee, which covers York, will discuss updates on some of the region’s biggest projects at a meeting on Tuesday next week. A report singles out projects where money due to be invested this year has not been spent due to delays.

A planning application has been submitted for the next stage of the York Central development.

But the agenda for the meeting has highlighted that there is still no clarity when funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will be available.

It has meant that investment in the scheme was about £2.5m less than originally forecast for the year.

The report also outlines the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on major developments, warning that it has led to a shortage of materials because some quarries have closed.

The authority has written to the Government for support to “respond to the challenges posed by Covid-19” and deadline extensions for major projects.