City of York Council has announced the suspension of major roadworks as well as issuing a plea to the public to use buses, in what it anticipates will be a Christmas period with high amounts of congestion on the roads.

Residents and visitors alike are being encouraged to use York’s bus network and Park and Ride sites this Christmas by the council, which has launched a new marketing campaign aimed at reducing congestion across the city and lowering the cost of Christmas for families.

Funded by Government via York’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, the project between City of York Council, Make It York and each of the city’s seven bus operators brings together information from across all operators to help people plan their day by bus.

In addition to the campaign, many of York’s seven operators have increased the number of buses serving key routes over November and December, and the Park and Ride will see extra buses too.

A new dedicated Christmas travel page - www.itravelyork.info/christmas - offers route suggestions for passengers from surrounding towns and cities.

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More than 40 routes serve York and its villages, suburbs and towns, including key shopping areas like York Christmas Market, Monks Cross and the Designer Outlet.

The adult fare cap is still £2 until December 31, the council said.

James Gilchrist, director of transport, environment and planning, said: "York is rightly famous for its Christmas Market and thriving independent shopping scene, and we are working with partners, including bus operators to reduce congestion at a time when so many people come to enjoy York.

"Here at City of York Council, we have suspended major roadworks for the Christmas period but we are asking people to make a change themselves to help keep York moving by getting the bus. Just one double decker bus can carry up to 75 people, so imagine how much better it will be if everyone who can travel by bus does so this Christmas".

The new campaign will see posters at bus stops and in libraries, as well as a social media campaign targeting both York and towns where Market visitors come from. Developed and created by local agency Brightsparks.

It comes after the Department for Transport, in 2022, awarded £17.3 million to City of York Council for their 'Bus Service Improvement Plan', which aims to make the city's bus network more accessibly and attractive to people.