Exclusive by Ron Godfrey, business editor

A Disney-style monorail linking the Monks Cross development on the outskirts of York with the city centre will soon be put to planners.

The 21st century style transport would, it is claimed, solve the problem of out-of-town retail developments siphoning business away from city shopkeepers - and do it in an environmentally-friendly way.

Tourists and commuters would be able to travel 1.8 miles by monorail between the Ryedale stadium at Monks Cross - where the council proposes to have a park and ride site - and a terminus at the suggested new Coppergate phase 2 on the Foss.

Much of it would be almost at ground or water level and would pass under bridges.

The monorail is the brainchild of farmer-developer David Sherry, who owned the original 107 acres at Pigeoncote Farm, part of which he sold off for massive projects coming to fruition on what is now known as Monk's Cross.

Architects Downes Illingsworth, of Thirsk, are now refining the details of Mr Sherry's vision which he has had ever since he rode on a monorail during a visit to Disneyland in California. It will then be formally proposed to City of York Council planners. He is also consulting transportation experts at Leeds University.

He said: "It is likely to cost as a rough rule of thumb between £2 million and £3 million - cheaper than a new motorway which is reckoned at around £2 million per mile, yet would take up less space than a minor road and be a lot quieter."

There would be two monorail trains, one each way, propelled on air electro-magnetically. Each would carry around 200 passengers.

The journey could take as little as five minutes but could be slower for tourists to take in the views. Shoppers would use it to travel to or from the new retail developments at Monks Cross; commuters to travel to work.

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