The York Narrative

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York’s public sector is at the forefront of a shared vision for the future of the city. It is in your hands to bring policy, resources and partners together to create a place where every person matters, and where all can play their part in progressing a thriving and sustainable future.

Whether you’re the council, a sector development agency, a local politician or key service, The York Narrative will help you communicate a modern, relevant and engaging story of York, drive and manage future growth, look after all residents, including the most vulnerable – and do it in a way which benefits from joined-up thinking and common purpose. By working together, York will stand out from the competition and become clearly associated with the values it stands for.

“It would be easy to dismiss York as a provincial market town if you didn’t really know it. This project has provided a framework and the confidence to allow us to share the unique and world-changing benefit that York brings.”

York and East Riding LEP

“With our shared history, heritage and culture, York has always been a key partner in the Leeds City Region economy. Benefiting from excellent cross-country and digital connectivity, a skilled workforce and pioneering industries of the future, we can confidently state the relevance and value that York has to our region.”

West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Key Facts

Once the capital of England, York remains the centre of North Yorkshire and a partner in the development of the Leeds City Region, playing a key part in regional growth and social development strategies:

York ranks in the top 20% of Local Authorities nationally for dynamism & opportunity, and resilience & sustainability.

York ranks 50 out of 324 local authority areas in the Vibrant Economy Index – the highest ranking area in Yorkshire & the Humber.

The Local Transport Partnership aims to have more people walking, cycling and using public transport, and make York easier to get around by 2031.

York Central, brought forward by a partnership involving Network Rail, the Homes England, National Railway Museum and York Council, is one of the largest brownfield sites in England – seeking to deliver more than 6,500 new jobs, 100,000m2 of commercial space, and up to 2,500 new homes.

In 2019 Architects Journal Architecture Awarded York Central the coveted accolade of Best Masterplan.

Funding for various infrastructure improvements has been approved, e.g. outer ring road dualling (£28m). Public consultations for the £15m redevelopment of York Station front are underway.

Care for the environment is apparent in York’s transport investment decisions and planning. York’s 21 new zero emission, electric buses will be on the road by the end of 2019. The buses will reduce congestion & improve air quality, thanks to investment by First York & the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.

Case Study: Transport and Place Plan

To help businesses safely reopen the city post coronavirus, the council has developed a strategy which will focus on prioritising active travel (including cycling and walking) by investing in and improving park and cycle sites, increased cycle parking and building new cycle routes. The aim is to create a people-focused city centre with an environment that is attractive and with plenty of space for social distancing.

Find out more

The Narrative Toolkit

Whether you want to review a planning application, award a grant, lobby for strategic funding, improve services for residents or write a press release, the toolkit is designed to help you adopt The York Narrative with a framework for implementation, how-to guidelines for each stage and downloadable resources for you to adapt and use in your organisation.

View the toolkit