Breaking: Blue Badge holders’ access to extend during Christmas markets

The Council’s Executive has decided to establish Blue Badge holders’ access into York city centre for two hours daily at less busy times during this year’s Christmas market.

Senior Councillors were asked to consider a number of access options, recognise the risks with permitting access but consider these alongside the various human rights and equalities implications.

At the Executive meeting yesterday (14 November 2024), they agreed to permit Blue Badge holders’ entry via the sliding barriers at Goodramgate from 5pm-10:30am during the Christmas market period. Access via Blake Street will be from 7pm-10:30am for this period.

To enable this access while protecting those in the market area, a staffed, temporary barrier must be positioned on Church Street. It’s being installed as soon as possible. When it’s in place, the extended access can begin and we will announce when that will start.

The Goodramgate barrier will be staffed and Blue Badges checked between 5-7pm. During this two-hour period, Blue Badge holders’ access will be for Goodramgate and Colliergate only and parking can be on Goodramgate only.

As usual during the Christmas markets, an extended Temporary Traffic Restriction Order (TTRO) is in place until 7pm when the barriers will open and there will be free entry to the city centre.

James Gilchrist, Director of Environment, Transport and Planning at City of York Council, said: “The urgent report discussed last night was requested by the Council’s Executive. It allowed them to review plans and to understand if there is a way to give Blue Badge holders additional or different access to the city centre during this year’s Christmas market. The report set out the proposed plans and alternative options, and how they manage risks and mitigations.”

After the market from 23 December, Blue Badge holders’ access into the city centre will revert to the usual 10:30am-5pm via the barriers at Blake Street and Goodramgate on production of a valid Blue Badge, and freely from 5pm-10:30am.

For more detail on the routes for Blue Badge holders, please visit www.york.gov.uk/BlueBadgeAccess .

The report presented to Executive on Thursday 14 November can be read here.