Skip to content

York's Inner Ring Road: a nightmare dodged or a dream lost?

Plan for proposed Inner Ring Road York
York's Inner Ring Road: a nightmare dodged or a dream lost?

–
September 25, 2026

A talk by Peter Thompson

The 1948 plan for York’s Inner Ring Road was inspired by John Bowes Morrell, that seminal figure of York civic life. He envisaged demolishing most of the buildings immediately outside the city walls, to create an uninterrupted view of the mediaeval walls. For our area the 1948 plan would see a major roundabout at the Blossom Street-Holgate Road junction, and while the Odeon Cinema would survive, all buildings between it and Micklegate Bar would be demolished, along with Scarcroft School and many streets in Clementhorpe. This talk will outline the many possible modifications to the 1948 plan over the next 25 years and how we have escaped with the inner ring road we have today.

Clements Hall
Nunthorpe Road
York, North Yorkshire YO23 1BW
01904 466086.

Event Accessibility

  • Assisted Listening Devices

More information

In 2026 we're offering two types of membership:
Full Membership at £10 pa (with free entry to all talks)
Online Membership at £5 pa (with links provided to recordings of our talks). This is useful for members who live elsewhere, or who are housebound
Non-members are very welcome to come, paying £3 per talk.
To join us please contact our Membership Secretary by email chlhg.membership@gmail.com or leave a message at Clements Hall on 01904 466086
There are a small number of free parking spaces near Clements Hall. It is also easily accessible by buses stopping in Blossom Street (walk along Moss Street opposite the Everyman Cinema).

View full calendar