A MAJOR row has erupted after York's long-awaited sixth Park&Ride hit further delays.

Opposition Labour councillors said two years of hold-ups were "expensive and unnecessary" - and had put funding in serious jeopardy.

But Liberal Democrats said the latest delay was essential so the traffic impact of the York Central project could be fully evaluated.

Executive members were today due to defer a decision on the congestion-busting A59 project so a traffic report on York Central could be completed.

Labour transport spokeswoman Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing branded the delays a "fiasco".

Coun Simpson-Laing said that under Labour, Site A - inside the ring road north of the A59 corridor - received backing from both Guildhall officers and residents after a five-choice, city-wide consultation in 2002

She said that had this gone ahead the first phase would be ready early next year, with the £3.6 million, 750-space project funded through the first Local Transport Plan (LTP).

She criticised the Liberal Democrats for re-consulting on two new sites, which Labour claim have been shown to be technically impractical and unpopular with residents.

She said: "This has been a total fiasco, driven by base political motives, with scant regard for the good of the city.

"As the second consultation received only 20 per cent of the replies the first did, it has been a total waste of money."

Backing Site A, she claimed many people were reluctant to respond to the second consultation, as they had already voted.

Labour claimed political pressure had been placed on officers to offer alternative recommendations in the Northminster business park area, despite "implicit technical" backing for Site A in a new report.

However, transport executive member Coun Ann Reid fiercely defended the Liberal Democrats' record.

She said the second consultation in Acomb, Holgate and Poppleton, which attracted 781 replies, was launched in response to local concerns and ward councillor worries about Poppleton green belt land being used.

"In the meantime, we have kick-started the York Central project. That looks likely to come on stream a lot sooner than we thought.

"We think it's only right at this stage to wait for the full report on York Central."

Coun Reid accused Labour of hypocrisy after she claimed they re-consulted on a city-wide basis on the Rawcliffe Bar Park&Ride after results they favoured did not emerge.

She said a funding application as part of the York Central project, which could potentially include the option for a tram system, could secure more cash than through a bus-only scheme through the LTP.

Updated: 14:52 Tuesday, November 09, 2004