Drivers including Blue Badge holders could be barred from York city centre during the Christmas Market following a call from North Yorkshire Police.
The force’s request to enact an Anti-Terror Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) would bar all vehicles except those from emergency services from the city centre from 10am to 7pm.
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.
A council report stated talks with the police about the implementation of the order remain ongoing and officials are exploring pushing the opening of the market back to 10.30am.
Council officers have recommended approving the police’s request.
The council’s executive is set to decide whether to approve the police’s request at a meeting tonight (Tuesday, 7 October).
Its report stated that although it could technically refuse the request, such a decision would be unprecedented and would need solid, defensible legal reasons.
It comes after the council approved a police request to hand them the powers to draw up city centre traffic restrictions during events which carry security risks.
That decision earlier this year followed last year’s Christmas Market when the council relaxed a ban on Blue Badge holders brought in on the advice of the police.
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.
‘Exploit weaknesses’
The ATTRO, which would be in force from Thursday, 13 November 13 to Saturday, 21 December, covers all York city centre streets currently subject to hostile vehicle measures.
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.
“Any exemptions to these measures, as highlighted above, would increase the risk and vulnerability to an attack, determined attackers will seek to exploit any weaknesses to gain access to the protected area.
“These measures are proportionate and necessary to support the safety and effective management of the event and these restrictions form a critical element for the collective approach to avoid and reduce the likelihood of danger connected with terrorism.”
The council’s report stated that although the risk of an attack may seem low, if one happened it would be catastrophic.
It stated: “Depending on the event in question, were any serious failings to be identified as a result of such an incident, the council may be subject to a public
inquiry process, criminal charges, and reputational damage as well as the wider impact on the wider economy.
“There is a risk that organisers Make It York will either decline to continue with the Christmas Market event, or that the named Event Organiser from Make It York will decline to fulfil that role.
“The council would not be in a position to fulfil that role and therefore it could give rise to potentially significant financial claims against the council for compensation and loss of earnings from traders and a dispute with Make it York.”
