Revealed: York Labour’s Ring Road Scandal

The Liberal Democrats have today branded Labour’s handling of the York Outer Ring Road funding crisis as a scandal, after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that no representations have been made to Government to cover the £100 million funding gap. 

Labour previously promised that they would lobby Ministers and explore funding options once the updated costs were known. Cllr Ravilious, York Council's Labour Executive Member for Transport, herself told residents: 

“Once we know the updated costs, we’ll explore funding options with the government and the mayor.” 

But the FOI response has confirmed the opposite. Despite spiralling costs rising from £64 million to £164 million, Labour have done nothing, leaving York taxpayers and businesses in the lurch. 

Cllr Ravilious also claimed that: 

“Meeting that commitment, plus maximising its benefits for sustainable travel, remains a high priority for the current Labour administration.” 

Yet the evidence now shows no lobbying, no representations, and no effort made to protect York’s interests. 

Cllr Stephen Fenton, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson, said:

“This is nothing short of a scandal. Labour promised to fight for York and to lobby the Government when costs increased. The FOI response makes crystal clear that they have done absolutely nothing. At a time when York faces a £100 million black hole in funding for the Outer Ring Road dualling, Labour’s inaction is a betrayal of residents and businesses.

“Cllr Ravilious has misled residents, has failed to deliver on her word, and has left York in a weaker position. Dualling is key to our shared ambition to reduce city centre through traffic, to improve bus reliability and to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer alternatives. If, as I suspect, Cllr Ravilious has an in-principle objection to dualling the Outer Ring Road, then she really should consider her position as she is clearly out of step with her administration colleagues.”