THE long-running saga over York's sixth Park&Ride site has taken another twist.

Last month council officers plumped for land beside the A59/A1237 roundabout as the best of five alternatives to combat traffic gridlock.

Selecting Location A for the £3.6million, 750-site project came after a year-long, city-wide investigation.

Now Liberal Democrat councillors have decided further consultation is needed.

This has sparked anger from Labour councillors, who branded the delay a "farce".

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, Labour transport and planning spokesman, claimed the ruling group failed to accept views of council experts and the public.

She said they were causing "more unnecessary delay" to the A59 scheme, already six-months behind schedule.

Coun Simpson-Laing said: "This is turning into a total farce and a considerable waste of time and money."

She raised concerns about alternative sites Lib Dems were considering.

Location F (north of the A59) would change the character of the Station Road area through tree-planting, and Location G (south of the A59) would be a "visual intrusion", she claimed.

Location A was chosen by Labour when in power, but Lib Dems launched a review when they took control.

The Labour member said: "Lib Dem policy seems to be, if you don't like the facts then just ignore them.

"No matter where it is sited you are always going to get some disagreement.

"Location A was chosen because it was well-screened, fitted all modelling criteria and would be best used.

"Residents in York saw this and voted in support of the site."

Executive member for planning and transport, Councillor Ann Reid, agreed on Wednesday night residents near proposed sites should be consulted again.

She denied the project had descended into "farce".

She said: "After this we will have spent more money, but I think it will be well spent to ensure any decision eventually made is the right one." She said Poppleton residents were concerned about the project and claimed the officers' report "did not go far enough" regarding technical information.

Updated: 10:48 Friday, December 05, 2003