ONE of York’s political leaders has made a pre-election call for an end to what he describes as the “free-for-all” in York’s city centre pedestrian zone.

Ian Gillies, who heads the Conservative group on City of York Council, claims a lack of enforcement measures in the heart of the city is allowing drivers and cyclists to break the rules and putting shoppers and visitors at risk.

He is calling for a get-tough policy against those flouting the rules, to be introduced once the outcome of the May 5 poll is known, and is calling for the focus to be placed on routes such as Coppergate, Piccadilly, Parliament Street and Pavement.

Mr Gillies who is standing for re-election in Rural West York, said: “These streets are full of vehicles which should not be there because of the restrictions which are in place, but because there is little or no enforcement action carried out, people are driving through with impunity.

“Cyclists are also regularly riding through pedestrian areas and I’ve seen them crash into people who are walking in the city centre on more than one occasion.

“There is a move to allow cycling in these areas but I’m totally against that.

“In addition to this, cyclists also travel in the wrong direction along one-way streets such as Blake Street and Lendal and are not being reported.

“The result is a free-for-all, made up of a mixture of people breaking the law.”

The Tories’ local election manifesto pledges to look at more pedestrianisation in the centre of York.

Coun Gillies said cracking down on rule-breakers was part of the issue. He said: “Under the new administration, I want to see a better-enforcement regime created with the appropriate powers given to and used by the appropriate people, whether they are police or council officers.

“Pedestrian areas are for pedestrians and cycle lanes are for cyclists, and if people are being encouraged to cycle into the city centre, they need appropriate storage facilities.

“Having cycle racks in a pedestrian area like Parliament Street is ridiculous.

“The current situation is a mess, as well as being dangerous. It needs to be sorted out.”