North Yorkshire Police could be given powers to restrict access to York city centre for vehicles including Blue Badge holders during events such as the Christmas market.
New proposals would see an Anti-Terror Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) created giving the force powers to enforce restrictions during events if necessary or in response to a security threat.
A City of York Council report on the proposals stated the measures were designed to keep people safe from the threat of terrorism but limits on their use would be in place.
But they come after temporary restrictions to city centre access during last year’s Christmas market which affected Blue Badge holders led to a backlash and their relaxation.
The proposals are set to go before council transport spokesperson Cllr Kate Ravilious on Tuesday, 17 June.
Officers would decide which vehicles could still enter the area covered by the order, which includes streets with Blue Badge parking, and they could completely close streets if deemed necessary.
Labour’s Cllr Ravilious will decide whether to put the proposals out to a formal consultation.
It comes after North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Tim Forber sent a request to the council in December to begin the process of implementing an ATTRO.
The council has been in talks with the police since the Labour administration allowed Blue Badge drivers into the city centre to park in some streets in October 2023.
Taxis could be affected
Powers controlling vehicle access into the city centre currently rests with the council which uses sliding bollards installed from January 2023.
They were approved by the previous Liberal Democrat and Green administration in line with police counter-terror advice.
The latest proposals would see the management of access pass to the police if the ATTRO is activated though the force would consult the council when it invokes the powers.
The order would cover the city centre from York Minster to the River Ouse, stopping at the bottom of High Ousegate, Parliament Street, The Shambles and Colliergate.
It would extend west to east from Museum Street and St Leonard’s Place to just beyond College Street and Goodramgate.
If the ATTRO is introduced the police would be expected to give at least seven days’ notice if circumstances allow before restrictions come into force.
A 48-hour limit would typically apply to the restrictions but the Chief Constable would have the power to extend them.
Blue Badge holders, taxi and private hire vehicles and delivery drivers and couriers could all potentially be affected depending how the police decide to apply the restrictions.
The council’s report stated a consultation on the proposals would allow the views of all of those affected to be taken into account.
The report stated: “An ATTRO helps to keep people safe from the threat of terrorism by enabling the Police, working with local authorities, to put protective security measures in place to reduce vulnerability to, or mitigate the potential impact of, terrorism attacks on or near a road.”
A temporary ban on Blue Badge access to the city centre planned during last year’s Christmas market was relaxed following opposition from disabled groups.
The restrictions were brought in on public safety grounds but Blue Badge holders said it left them without access to city centre-based shops and services and the Christmas market.
The council’s executive pledged to look at expanding access to Blue Badge holders during this year’s Christmas market following the dispute.