Changes to the way future York Christmas Markets are managed to ease their impact on disabled people have been backed amid concerns restrictions could apply during more events.
City of York Council’s executive backed extra Blue Badge parking, rest areas and looking into different opening times and closing on some days to help ease the market’s impact.
Cllr Claire Douglas, the council’s Labour leader, said it was part of efforts to make the city centre open and available for everyone amid remarkably difficult circumstances.
But disabled people told councillors the measures did not go far enough while businesses including pubs and bars warned against changes which could harm them during the lucrative festive period.
Opposition Liberal Democrat deputy leader Cllr Paula Widdowson said traffic restrictions which affected Blue Badge holders during last year’s Christmas Market could be enforced more often.
The executive’s decision on Tuesday (3 March) to look at measures for future Christmas Markets follows a review into the way city centre events operate.
It comes after an Anti-Terror Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) brought in during last year’s Christmas Market saw vehicle access to the city centre restricted for Blue Badge holders and others.
The police said it was needed to deter vehicle attacks seen elsewhere but disabled people said it hindered their access to the city centre in the run up to Christmas.
Police officers have now recommended making the ATTRO permanent and the council is set to consult on the proposals.
It would see the restrictions typically lie dormant with the council, police and other emergency services deciding when to enforce them.
A council report stated it could see the measures enforced across a range of events and it would need to be ready to manage the impact on those affected.
Measures costing around £70,000 to help ease the impact are set to come ahead of officials looking into longer-term solutions which will require outside funding.
Council city development lead Garry Taylor said options for immediate changes were limited but he was confident improvements could be made, though it would take time.
But disability rights activist Flick Williams said making the city centre accessible to all while counter-terror measures become more stringent and public spaces are commercialised was a pipe dream.
Ms Williams said: “I predict that far from lying dormant, a permanent ATTRO will increasingly be used for ever more events including protests, we are staring down the barrel of another permanent Blue Badge ban.”
York Pubwatch said in a statement the Christmas Market was a vital source of income and called for compromise if a permanent ATTRO is implemented.
They said: “This may mean shorter opening times during the day and opening later, these changes would have a negligible effect on our business.
“Ultimately, please don’t take our hugely successful Christmas Market away from the city.”
Andrew Lowson, chief executive of York’s Business Improvement District (BID), said the implementation of similar restrictions in Chester during their Christmas Market had maintained good access for Blue Badge holders.
Green Andy D’Agorne said it was unacceptable that longer-term changes were expected to take three to five years while the city remains without a Dial & Ride service to help.
Liberal Democrat Cllr Widdowson said access decisions should be made solely by the police and Labour now risked breaking its pledge to reverse the previous Blue Badge parking ban.
Labour council Leader Cllr Douglas said alternative opening times and rest days should be among the measures looked at to manage future events.
The leader said: “It’s remarkably difficult and we know it’s tremendously painful for people who feel they can’t access the city centre, its services and the social life they deserve in what is their home town.”
Council deputy leader and economy spokesperson Cllr Pete Kilbane said they wanted to continue putting on events that brought people together in York while maintaining access.
He added Liberal Democrats were in favour of banning Blue Badge holders from the city centre all year.
