25 signatures reached
To: York City Council and Rachel Maskell, MP for York Central
Give York Back to the Pedestrians
Improve pedestrianisation of the city centre, and pedestrian and cycle routes around York.
Fully pedestrianise Petergate, Parliament Street, Grape Lane, Gillygate, Coney Street, St Helen's Square, Lendal and Walmgate.
Why is this important?
York is a medieval city with narrow streets, ancient buildings and lots of tourists. Moving around parts of the city during the day can be difficult and dangerous, especially for those with limited mobility. There is constant traffic in parts of the city where there need not be, car users taking advantage of their privilege with no thought to the safety or rights of others.
I believe that removing cars from York city centre would be beneficial to tourism, as it would make moving around the city easier.
Additionally, heavy goods vehicles have done damage to a number of ancient buildings on Stonegate and Gillygate. Goods vehicles should be restricted to those of an appropriate size for the narrow nature of the streets in the ancient part of the city.
The rights of a few car-users are currently trumping the rights of the majority of York residents. Polluting our air, crowding the city and causing danger to residents and tourists alike.
Pedestrianisation will encourage the use of public transport and bicycles to access the city, thus improving the air quality in and around York and working towards a more sustainable future. Improving pedestrian and cycle access from residential areas to the city will further improve accessibility for those without the privilege of their own car.
There are many ancient cities in Europe that are either partly or fully pedestrianised, without a significant impact on tourism or business. Make York an example to the rest of the United Kingdom for preserving the heritage of our ancient cities.
