City centre congestion charge 'ruled out'

Congestion charges have been ruled out as a method of cutting city centre traffic in York, transport leaders say.

Kate Ravilious, City of York council's executive member for transport, said the measure was not among those being considered, though said "everything else is part of the toolbox".

Speaking at Active City York 2025, Ravilious said other schemes being considered include the creation of a "Sustainable Transport Corridor" from York Station to Tower Street.

However, she said it was important to "get the framing right" after the recent backlash to increased parking charges in the city.

Ravilious spoke to attendees at the event alongside Public Health Director Peter Roderick about the council's efforts to promote walking, cycling and public transport use.

The council's Local Transport Strategy, which is guiding the work, aims to cut car use in York by a fifth by 2030, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Ravilious told the event plans to achieve the goal include the creation of a Sustainable Transport Corridor, to give buses priority along a route from York Station to Tower Street via the Ouse Bridge, over all but essential private car journeys.

She said the authority had also tried to use hikes in parking charges at council-run car parks to try and discourage car use.

However, she acknowledged the reaction from residents, traders and opposition councillors highlighted the importance of taking people with them when enacting transport changes.

"We raised parking charges to reduce congestion by making a family bus ticket cheaper than the first two hours," she said.

"But we didn't get the framing right and it's not gone down well, it's very difficult because it came as part of our budget so we couldn't do it with the positives.

"It's been very difficult and painful, it's been a lesson for us to have the carrot alongside the stick.

"We've ruled out a congestion charge for York, but everything else is part of the toolbox, parking is an important tool and we all have to address it."

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