THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Good morning, York! 🏰 What a Tuesday it turned out to be — Greg James arrived at Heslington to a heroes' welcome with a very famous surprise co-pilot along the way. Today he cycles through the city heading north toward the Moors. Meanwhile the City of York Council was busy yesterday too, with a raft of announcements. Let's get into it.

📰 NEWS

🚴 Prince William Joined Greg James — And York Went Absolutely Wild — Yesterday turned into something special. Radio 1's Greg James was joined by the Prince of Wales on the tandem for part of his journey across South Yorkshire, with Prince William confirming that Greg had smashed his fundraising target — donations now exceed £1 million. The pair parted ways before Greg arrived at the University of York's Heslington campus just before 5pm, where hundreds of students and staff were waiting wearing Long Boi masks, waving signs and blowing kazoos. Today, day six, Greg passes through York via the inner ring road and Wigginton Road, then north through Sutton-on-the-Forest and Stillington, up to Helmsley and into the North York Moors National Park before ending the day in Sunderland. He finishes in Edinburgh on Friday, Red Nose Day. Still time to donate — text 10, 20 or 30 to 70011 or visit comicrelief.com. (Sources: Gazette & Herald | Yahoo News UK)

🗳️ York Elects Two New Youth Parliament Representatives — York has two new faces representing its young people nationally. Following a city-wide online election, Will has been chosen as York's new Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) and William as Deputy Member of Youth Parliament (DMYP). Both will represent York's young people locally, regionally and at the annual Youth Parliament sitting in the House of Commons. Will's manifesto commitments include tackling youth vaping, improving mental health signposting, better-lit streets for young people's safety at night, and securing a proper budget for York Youth Council. Councillor Bob Webb said young people across the city showed "passion and commitment" throughout the election. Any young person interested in getting involved can contact yorkyouthcouncil@york.gov.uk. (Source: City of York Council)

📱 BT Wants to Replace York Phone Boxes with Digital Ad Screens — Plans have been submitted to replace phone boxes in four York locations with BT Street Hubs — large digital units offering free calls, WiFi, and phone charging, but also featuring prominent advertising screens. The proposed locations are Foss Islands Road, Fulford Road, Hull Road and Walmgate. Street Hubs have been controversial in other cities due to the size and brightness of the screens. Residents can comment on the planning applications via the City of York Council website. (Source: YorkMix)

🚌 Row Deepens Over Rougier Street Bus Gate Plans — The council is pushing ahead with plans to close Rougier Street and Micklegate to most traffic — but a newly published consultation summary has sparked fresh controversy. Only 1,175 people responded to the online consultation — and critics including former City Councillor Steve Galloway argue the questions never actually asked whether residents supported the specific scheme. Bishophill residents were described as "strongly opposed" in the council's own scrutiny report, with over 300 people attending a single drop-in. The council has also yet to publish traffic modelling showing where displaced vehicles would go. The scheme is set to proceed as an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) — meaning it would go in first and be evaluated afterwards. (Source: York News Focus)

🏭 Nestlé Submits Plans to Improve Cyclist and Pedestrian Access at York Factory — Nestlé UK Ltd has lodged a planning application with City of York Council to improve walking and cycling access at its Wigginton Road campus. The plans include a new dedicated pedestrian and cycle gate, expanded cycle shelters doubling spaces from 20 to 40, 17 new motorcycle spaces, and a reconfigured car park layout that prioritises cycling. The application links to the existing cycle network on Wigginton Road. (Source: YorkMix | Gazette & Herald)

🅿️ Last Chance to Have Your Say on Parking Charges — Drop-Ins Announced — Residents in Bishopthorpe Road, Micklegate, The Groves and Heworth have a final opportunity to give their views on council car parking charge increases, with face-to-face sessions now confirmed. Run by independent consultancy Arup, the dates are: Mon 23 March — Micklegate, West Offices foyer (4.30–7pm); Tue 24 March — Heworth, Explore Tang Hall (4.30–7pm); Thu 26 March — The Groves, Door 84 (4.30–7pm); Tue 31 March — Bishopthorpe Road, Clements Hall (5.30–8pm). (Source: City of York Council)

🚨 CRIME

⚖️ York Heroin Dealer Jailed for Nearly Five Years — Mahbub Kamali Rahman, 33, of Osbaldwick, was sentenced to four years and nine months at York Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin. His co-accused Paul Matson, 63, of Bootham Square, was sentenced separately last August to a 23-month suspended sentence. Detective Sergeant Sinéad Brocken of North Yorkshire Police's Organised Crime Unit said the case had links across the Yorkshire and Humber region. (Source: North Yorkshire Police)

🎭 WHAT'S ON

📚 York Literature Festival — Tonight: Laura Bates at St Peter's School — York's month-long literature festival (28 February–30 March) continues tonight. Laura Bates, founder of the Everyday Sexism Project and Sunday Times bestseller, brings her latest book The New Age of Sexism: How the AI Revolution is Reinventing Misogyny to St Peter's School at 7pm. This weekend the Festival of Hauntology dedicated weekend (Sat/Sun 21–22 March) moves to York St John University campus due to high demand — folk horror, the urban wyrd, and appearances from Ramsey Campbell and Andrew Michael Hurley. Full programme and tickets at yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk. (Source: Gazette & Herald)

🍕 Foro — New Roman Kitchen on Fossgate — Launch This Weekend — Alessandro Venturi opens his new permanent kitchen Foro at Fossgate Tap this Saturday and Sunday (21–22 March), with Italian pizza chef Leonardo Milioni as special guest. Traditional Roman recipes — supplì, carbonara, cacio e pepe — using Petra flour dough. (Source: Gazette & Herald)

🏃 SPORT

🏉 Knights Travel to Wigan Tomorrow — Squad Named, Harris Out — York Knights have confirmed their squad for Thursday's Super League trip to Wigan Warriors (8pm, The Brick Community Stadium), with captain Liam Harris absent through injury. Danny Richardson steps up to scrum-half, David Nofoaluma returns, and Sam Cook joins on loan from Newcastle Thunder. Live on the Sky Sports+ Red Button. (Source: Serious About Rugby League)

⚽ York City Home to Brackley Town on Saturday — 3pm, LNER Community Stadium. Tickets at yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk.

💼 BUSINESS & ECONOMY

🪴 Botanic York Closes Walmgate Shop — But Is "Moving Forward" — Beloved plant emporium Botanic is leaving its Walmgate home this month after the building was sold — but promises it is not closing for good. Established in 2018 and bought by Abbi Dixon in 2023, the shop was selected to exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2024. Botanic says it is in talks about new retail locations and continues online. In the meantime it can be found at The Balloon Tree in Gate Helmsley. (Source: YorkMix)