ANY PLAN to cut traffic congestion and pollution in a city like York would seem, on the face of it, to merit an open-arms welcome.

Further investigation, though, shows that no scheme dreamed up so far would go anywhere near solving the problem. Nor would it satisfy the great majority of people.

The Shangri-La image of a traffic-free York has long been the dream of planners, architects and anyone who cares for this beautiful, historic city. But dreams do not often convert into practical reality.

The Government today outlined plans to cut urban traffic congestion by charging motorists to enter city centres and imposing a levy on workplace parking.

Under Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's proposals, money raised from the measures would be ploughed back into improving public transport.

In rural North Yorkshire, there would have to be much ploughing back because neither rail nor road public transport, or a combination of both, is comprehensive or adequate enough to provide a real alternative to the car.

Mr Prescott's plans, published under the title Cutting Congestion - Improving the Environment, set out the social, economic and environmental benefits of a new charging regime designed to cut inner-city congestion.

So far the document is only for consultation. It is not specific and does not attempt to outline how the scheme would be applied to a city like York in a rustic area like North Yorkshire.

Apart from raising the horrid spectre of toll booths at each historic gateway to the city, the scheme would unfairly penalise those who choose to live outside those city walls.

Many who reside in country villages would find it impossible to get public transport to and from work. So they would bear the brunt of the charges for those living inside the city who would, presumably, be allowed to roam around free of charge within the city boundary.

The scheme would also encourage more use of park and ride. It would not discourage use of the car for the greater part of any journey to York, but merely encourage people to ditch their vehicles before they hit the toll booths.

In the highly-populated conurbations like West and South Yorkshire, where passenger transport authorities funded by the ratepayers provide heavily-subsidised frequent and convenient train and bus services, the Prescott initiative would work like a dream.

In our region that dream would be an unworkable nightmare.

see NEWS 'Prescott drives forward with city centre road tolls'

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.