Blue Badge holders’ second route into footstreets opens one month early

One month ahead of time, Blue Badge holders’ access into the city centre has been fully restored.

Holders of valid Blue Badges and their drivers will once again be able to drive into the city centre at any time via Blake Street from 1 March. Access through Goodramgate opened on 4 January 2024.

By making good progress installing and connecting these hostile vehicle measures, Blue Badge holders can use this second route into the footstreets from Friday 1 March 2024 rather than from Easter, as was initially forecast.

The moveable barriers at Blake Street will be closed and staffed daily between 10:30am and 5pm, as they are currently at Goodramgate. Access will be granted by valid Blue Badges being presented by the driver or passenger, and checked. Outside those hours, when the city centre is quieter, the barriers will be open to all.

The Council’s Executive decided on 12 October 2023 to restore Blue Badge holders’ access to the city centre to what it was before restrictions were introduced in 2019. The restored access arrangements mean:

• Blue Badge holders are able to drive slowly into the city centre at any time. From 10:30am-5pm daily, they must present a valid Blue Badge to barrier staff at the sliding bollards at Blake Street or Goodramgate. Once parked, they will need to display their clock card alongside their Blue Badge.
• From the barriers at Blake Street, the Blue Badge holder or their driver can drive slowly one-way along Blake Street, turn right through St Helen’s Square, and turn right again to exit via Lendal and the CCTV-controlled bollards.
• Blue Badge holders can park on the double yellow lines on these routes without causing an obstruction, for up to three hours.
• Blue Badge holders can also be dropped off. If they’re being picked up later, they must leave their name with the barrier staff so their driver can get back in to collect them.

Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects and Equalities at City of York Council, said:

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able not only to restore Blue Badge holder’s access into the city centre to what it was in 2019, but ahead of time.

“It’s important that our city centre is open to everyone. To improve that access, we’re inviting disabled residents and community groups to a series of seven workshops in March. We want to work with them and hear their lived experience and suggestions to see how we can further improve access. Please do join in these important conversations.”

Cllr Peter Kilbane, Executive Member for Transport and Economy at City of York Council, said:

“Five years without full access to the city centre has done immense harm to disabled people. I’m proud to have been part of the team which has restored that access to Blue Badge holders and ‘reversed the ban’ early.

“The street has opened ahead of time for local businesses too. I want to apologise for the inconvenience they experienced, and invite them and other businesses to a workshop in March where we can work with them to support their access needs.”

The workshops are as follow:

For disabled residents:

• Thursday 14 March, 10am to 12noon at The Citadel, Gillygate YO13 7EA
• Friday 15 March, 2pm to 4pm at Tang Hall Community Centre, Fifth Avenue, YO31 0UG
• Saturday 16 March, 10am to 12noon - online
• Sunday 17 March, 11am to 1pm at Acomb Parish Hall, 18a Front Street, YO24 3BZ.

For business people:

• Thursday 14 March, 6-8pm at the Chase Room, Delta Hotels by Marriott York, Tadcaster Road YO24 1QQ.

For members of any York community groups:

• Saturday 16 March, 2pm to 4pm at The Friends’ Meeting House, Friargate YO1 9RL
• Monday 18 March, 10am to 12noon at The Citadel, Gillygate YO13 7EA.

Please book a place on a session relevant to you at www.surveymonkey.com/r/S7LYJPX.

In December, the Council sent all Blue Badge holders information on using the two access points, which is at www.york.gov.uk/RestoredAccess.