THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Monday, March 23, 2026

📍 York wakes to a dry and sunny Monday morning before the clouds roll in — the Sunday Times names us one of the best places to live in the UK, Castlegate closes today, the Minstermen put four past Brackley, and the city waits to have its say on a permanent anti-terror order. Here's everything you need to know.

📰 NEWS

🚧 Castlegate Closes Today — Plan Your Route Now Castlegate shuts from 8am this morning until 5pm on Friday 27 March for water supply works. The closure runs between the junction with Friargate and number 28 Castlegate — the stretch passing Fairfax House and St Mary's Church near the Castle car park. No diversion signs are in place, so plan ahead if you're driving into that part of the city centre this week. (Source: Gazette & Herald)

🛡️ York Asked to Have Its Say on Permanent Anti-Terror Traffic Order City of York Council launched a statutory consultation last Wednesday on a recommended permanent Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) for the city centre, at the request of North Yorkshire Police. The proposed order would remain dormant most of the time, only activating when intelligence or events require quick action to reduce the risk of a terrorist attack. York has previously operated temporary ATTROs for events like the Christmas Market; this would make the response mechanism permanent. The consultation runs for eight weeks, from 18 March to 13 May 2026. Residents and businesses can read the proposals and have their say via york.gov.uk. (Source: City of York Council)

🏆 York Named One of the Best Places to Live in the UK — Again The Sunday Times published its Best Places to Live 2026 guide on Friday, with York featuring among the top locations in the North and North East of England. Judges praised York as a "liveable city that hits the sweet spot for work-life balance," describing it as "walkable, well connected and friendly, with jaw-dropping architecture, excellent schools and two universities that keep it young and buzzing." The guide also highlighted the city's digital start-ups, major employers, and — naturally — the fact that up to four million KitKats are still made here every day. Norwich was named the overall national winner across 72 locations, with Skipton taking the top spot for the North and North East. But for York, yet another nod from the country's most prestigious quality-of-life guide is well deserved. (Sources: Yahoo News UK | Yorkshire Post)

📋 Combined Authority Board Meeting This Friday — Three Big Items on the Agenda York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority meets on Friday 27 March and has three significant items on the agenda: an update on Local Growth Fund legacy projects, a strategic overview of skills and employment programmes, and a consultation draft of the region's Strategy for a Sustainable Future — covering climate resilience and inclusive growth. No major funding decisions are expected this week, but the sustainability strategy is open for public consultation. Worth keeping an eye on. (Source: York News Focus)

⚖️ York Crown Court: Forger Jailed for £900k Fake Qualifications Scheme A man who produced fake education and professional certificates was sentenced to three years' imprisonment at York Crown Court on Friday 13 March. City of York Council confirmed the case involved forged documents to the value of approximately £900,000. The council described it as a significant result for trading standards enforcement. (Source: City of York Council)

🗳️ Visitor Levy Battle Continues — York and North Yorkshire Awaits Next Steps The debate over Mayor David Skaith's proposed visitor levy — which could raise up to £52.2 million a year from a £2-per-night charge on overnight stays — shows no sign of cooling. A recent North Yorkshire Council survey found 71% of businesses opposed the idea, while the Mayor continues to describe it as a "game-changing opportunity" for communities. The government's national consultation closed last month and the region now waits for the next move. (Sources: Richmondshire Today | This is the Coast)

🚨 CRIME & SAFETY

🚗 Pedestrian Dies in Fatal A64 Collision Saturday Night A pedestrian died following a serious collision on the A64 on Saturday night. Emergency services were called to the eastbound carriageway between Grimston Bar and the Hopgrove Roundabout near Murton at around 9.40pm. The road was closed in both directions for several hours before reopening. North Yorkshire Police are urging any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the area to come forward. Contact the Major Collision Investigation Team on 101, option 2. (Source: YorkMix)

🏃 SPORT

⚽ York City 4–0 Brackley Town — Minstermen Dominant at LNER A controlled and commanding Saturday afternoon at the LNER Community Stadium. Josh Stones grabbed a first-half brace, with Greg Olley and Ollie Pearce adding further goals as York cruised past Brackley Town in front of 6,540 fans. York remain second in the National League table and very much in the promotion hunt — next up is an away trip to Gateshead on Tuesday evening, kick-off 7:45pm. (Source: York City FC | The Press/Yahoo Sports)

👩‍⚽ York City Ladies Dev Team Make History — Through to County Cup Final! A proper feel-good one. York City Ladies Development Team have reached the North Riding County Cup Final for the first time in their history after a breathless 5–4 win over last year's finalists Middlesbrough U23s at York St John. Captain Erin Stewart put York ahead from a corner, and after a dramatic second half Ruby Shannon netted a stunning top-corner strike, Lil Scott converted a penalty, and Amelia O'Flaherty added a late free kick to seal it — even as Middlesbrough fought back to 5–4 in injury time. The final will be played at the Riverside Stadium, date TBC. Meanwhile the First Team went out at the semi-final stage, losing 2–1 to Thornaby after playing the second half with ten players. A huge week for women's football in York — get behind them! (Source: York City FC)

🎭 WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK

🎭 The Secret Garden — The Musical at York Theatre Royal York Theatre Royal's current production of The Secret Garden — The Musical continues this week, directed by John Doyle and earning warm reviews. Check yorktheatreroyal.co.uk for tickets and times.

🍫 York Chocolate Festival — Two Weeks Away Mark your diaries: York Chocolate Festival 2026 returns to Parliament Street from Wednesday 1 to Sunday 5 April, with free entry. Full details at yorkchocolatefestival.com. (Source: Gazette & Herald)

💼 BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

🏪 Yorkshire Cancer Research Charity Superstore Now Open Yorkshire Cancer Research opened its largest-ever charity superstore at Foss Island Retail Park last Thursday (19 March). Spanning 13,000 sq ft, it's the biggest Yorkshire Cancer Research shop to date. Worth a browse — and a great cause. (Source: YorkMix)

📢 NATIONAL — AFFECTS YORK READERS

🌍 Oil Prices Surge as Middle East Conflict Enters Fourth Week The US-Israeli conflict with Iran is now into its fourth week with no clear end in sight. The near-halt of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil prices above $110 a barrel — up around 45% since the conflict began — with knock-on effects expected for UK fuel prices at the pump. President Trump suggested over the weekend he may be looking for an "off-ramp," but nothing is confirmed. (Source: NPR)