York plans to become UK’s first car-free city centre

The City of York’s council has approved plans to ban private car journeys from its centre within three years as it attempts to become Britain’s first car-free city.

In an effort to cut carbon emissions the council wants to end all “non-essential” car journeys within the city walls from 2023.

Bristol previously announced plans to become the first UK city to ban diesel cars by next year.

“People’s first response might be to be a bit anxious about what we’re proposing,” Labour councillor Jonny Crawshaw told The York Press.

“But that doesn’t mean it’s not the right thing to do.

“The public mood is changing – particularly in relation to climate change.”

It was Mr Crawshaw who proposed the ban, which was then adopted by a majority of the council, which is run by a Liberal Democrat-Green coalition.

Plans will now be drawn up on how to enforce the ban, which will be subject to another vote before being implemented.

Under the proposals, elderly and disabled residents who rely on their cars will be exempt.