29th May 2026

Our next talk is on Friday 25 September 2026 at 7.45pm in Clements Hall.

Please note our doors will be open at 7.30 pm.

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

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.

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).