City of York Council has approved plans to create the UK’s first car-free city centre within three years.
Members of the council have supported plans to “restrict all non-essential private motor vehicle journeys ‘within the city walls’ by 2023”.
It follows similar pledges from Portsmouth Council at the 4,000-home development at Tipner West and Bristol City Council’s plans for a diesel ban for private cars and recent plans for the world’s first “true net-zero-carbon in operation” neighbourhood, in Parc Hadau, Pontardawe, Wales.
Last year, developers including AXA Real Estate joined calls to prioritise pedestrians in the capital.
City of York Council will work up plans for the city’s car-free future as part of its ambition to deliver a carbon-neutral city by 2030.
The council will work with disability advocacy groups to ensure access to the city centre for people with mobility difficulties and those unable to use public transport and with traders and businesses to make sure deliveries and operations are not impacted.
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