Labour Councillors have questioned the Green administration over the absence of the Park & Ride feasibility study Labour called for and found funds for.

Following the news this week that the Council has scrapped plans for a Park & Ride scheme at Mill Road, the administration has claimed different trials will be considered.

Labour meanwhile are left scratching their heads at this announcement, considering funds that Labour secured have been available since 2021 for the Council to conduct its own feasibility study on Park & Ride to allow schemes to go ahead. We are still waiting to see that elusive feasibility study.

Once again, considering the Greens’ reluctance to adopt Park & Ride schemes, despite the findings of the city’s first ever Climate Assembly, Labour Councillors have to ask the question – is the absence of this long-sought feasibility study down to incompetence or ideology?

Is the Green administration deliberately kicking the can down the road so no schemes will be in place before the 2023 local elections? Why haven’t we seen the feasibility study when the funding is there and it would solve the issues we are seeing now? Residents deserve answers.

Labour’s transport and environment spokesperson, Cllr Gary Wilkinson said:

“After dragging the Green administration kicking and screaming to a commitment to deliver a Park & Ride scheme at Mill Road, we in the Labour Group are deeply disappointed the rug has been pulled out from under residents and this scheme has been scrapped.

“Now the Council tells us other schemes will be considered, which leaves me questioning why they still haven’t at the very least undertaken the feasibility study we called for and secured funds for last year. The money’s there, we made sure of that, so what’s the excuse?

“A feasibility study would consider a range of options and pave the way for major and pocket Park & Ride schemes that would help us achieve a car-free city centre and move towards carbon net zero.

“I’m calling on the administration to stop dragging their heels and deliver on the recommendations of our residents’ climate assembly.”

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