Delays to works on York’s Lendal Bridge could cause ‘gridlock’ say opposition councillors.
But that claim has been branded ‘disinformation’ by the ruling group on City of York Council.
Cllr Stephen Fenton, transport spokesperson for the Liberal Democract opposition, said there was a risk of serious congestion if the works happen once changes in Rougier Street take effect.
Eight weeks of wqorks set to start on Lendal Bridge in April are now set to happen next year.
Repairs to the bridge have been pushed back so they do not happen at the same time as the ongoing Station Gateway scheme which is running behind schedule.
The council initially aimed to finish the £3.2 million structural repairs and maintenance works to Lendal Bridge before the Rougier Route trial scheduled for the summer.
The 18-month trial is set to see private traffic barred from using the Rougier Street and George Hudson Street corridor as a through route.
A bus gate would be in George Hudson Street to the North Street and Skeldergate junction in Micklegate.
A one-way loop is set to be created for private traffic starting in Rougier Street and running via Tanner Row, Toft Green and Micklegate to the George Hudson Street junction.
Cllr Ravilious has now said the Rougier Route trial will not run while the Lendal Bridge works take place because it would cause gridlock and produce false results.
Lib Dem Cllr Fenton said York could not afford to have key routes closed at once because decisions were being kicked down the road for political convenience.
Cllr Fenton said: “Delaying the Lendal Bridge repairs until 2027 increases the risk of gridlock.
“When major schemes are delayed, councils are left facing either significant overlap in works or costly rescheduling to minimise city-wide disruption.
“At a time when costs are rising and council finances are stretched, we can’t afford a repeat of the Station Gateway scheme which is delayed and significantly over budget.”
Labour’s Cllr Ravilious said Cllr Fenton had either failed to understand the council’s plans or was trying to score cheap political points.
The transport executive member said: “When we came into office, we inherited a huge backlog of construction schemes and roadworks that we have been busy getting on with.
“Inevitably this causes disruption, but officers have sequenced the works to minimise disturbance, this latest decision is part of that process.
“We need to finish Station Gateway before moving on to Lendal Bridge, obviously we would not run the Rougier Route trial while work is underway on Lendal Bridge.
“It is disappointing that the Liberal Democrats are seeking to spread disinformation amongst York residents.”
