The vision of a traffic-free York came a step closer today, with consultations expected to begin on the city's newest park and ride site.

City of York Council is hoping to have up to 4,000 passengers using the congestion-busting facilities by 2006, with Malton Road now identified as the fifth site.

Three proposed areas have been designated for consultation. There were originally 25 sites under consideration.

Council officers believe there is strong demand for the facility on the Malton Road corridor. They are hoping to provide 750 parking spaces for the site.

The proposed sites are immediately north and south of the Monks Cross Shopping Centre and at the junction of Jockey Lane and the A1237.

"The aim is to construct this facility in 2002/3," reads a report to the meeting of the chief officer in consultation with the executive member for transport and planning.

"The aim will be to construct the park and ride facility and any associated bus priority measures that may be required on Malton Road and Heworth Green concurrently."

"For the purposes of the public consultation all three of the sites in the vicinity of Monks Cross will be offered, but it is not proposed to comment on or include the sites located at Hopgrove on the A64."

Consultation will enable detailed assessment of the favoured option to start in the summer.

There will be further consultation, including an exhibition on the chosen option early next year.

It was felt that park and rides were better situated on already existing commercial developments, such as Monks Cross, rather than eating into Green Belt land.

City of York Council is hoping to build seven park and ride sites in total around the city, with the sixth earmarked for the Poppleton area on the A59.

Park and Ride sites are already in operation at Rawcliffe, Grimston Bar, Askham Bar and at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet.

Updated: 11:03 Thursday, June 28, 2001