The future of the York Christmas Market is in question, the city council leader said today (Tuesday).
This year’s event will go ahead – but Blue Badge drivers are set to be barred, due to strict security measures.
And unless a way can be found to allow everyone to access to the event, its future must be in doubt, council leader Claire Douglas said.
It follows North Yorkshire Police’s request to enact an Anti-Terror Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) during the festive market. This would ban all vehicles except those from emergency services from the city centre from 10am to 7pm.
Cllr Douglas says this “effectively leaves the council with no choice but to approve the request.
“This isn’t an easy decision but is one that we will approve, in the interests of public safety.”
The council’s next step would be to look at how to mitigate the impact of the ATTRO so everyone can enjoy the festivities in the city centre.
“This second step is crucial to explore options that allow all residents and visitors, including disabled people, safe access to the Christmas Market,” the Labour council leader said.
“If we cannot achieve this then it calls into question the future of the whole event.
“We will work at pace with the police and Make it York to establish what mitigations can be approved that could enable that to happen.”
Disability rights campaigner Flick Williams told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that justifying the proposals on terror grounds called the safety of the whole event into question.
She said: “Vehicle as weapon attacks are only one of many potential threats to large crowds.
“Those who rely on Blue Badge access will have no choice but to take their business elsewhere.”
Chief Constable Tim Forber told City of York Council the measures are needed to protect against terror attacks during the event which draws thousands of extra visitors to the city.
The ATTRO, which would be in force from Thursday, 13 November 13 to Saturday, 21 December, covers all York city centre streets within the anti-terror bollards.
It also covers Goodramgate, Blake Street, St Helen’s Square and Lendal.
In his letter to the council, Chief Constable Forber said a number of attacks involving vehicles had taken place since last year including in New Orleans and Liverpool.
One, in Magdeburg, Germany last December, targetted that city’s Christmas market.
The Chief Constable said: “These incidents, teamed with the rise in political tensions means there is a need to consider the vulnerability of York Christmas Market to a similar attack and ensure all security measures are put in place and stringently adhered to.”
‘Mixed messages’
Opposition transport spokesperson Cllr Stephen Fenton said the year since Labour relaxed a similar ban on Blue Badge holders during the 2024 market had only seen mixed messages and confusion.
The Liberal Democrat added Labour was now following police requests his party had acted on when they banned city centre Blue Badge parking while in office in 2021.
Cllr Fenton said: “Labour were elected on an irresponsible promise to ignore police and counter terrorism officers’ advice on city centre access.
“York residents and visitors rightly expect city leaders to put people’s safety first. It’s frankly shameful that this administration has to be instructed by the police to do what’s necessary to keep people safe.”
Cllr Douglas said the Labour administration’s “determined and inclusive approach is in stark contrast to the previous Liberal Democrat administration that banned Blue Badge holders from their own city centre 365 days per year”.
Cllr Chris Steward, leader of the council’s Conservative group, said the threat from terror attacks was rising but life should go on as normal as much as possible.
The Conservative said: “We have long felt the Christmas Market is too crowded where it is and moving it to another York site or spreading it around would improve attendance and safety.
“Labour were elected in part to reverse the Blue Badge ban and it will be very poor if this is a pledge they break.”
Last year Blue Badge holders were allowed to drive into York city centre from 5pm to 7pm along with Shambles Market traders.
Limited numbers of Royal Mail vehicles, Boots pharmacy delivery drivers carrying pharmaceutical supplies, council waste collectors and utility company workers have also been allowed during previous markets.
