Campaigners claim that City of York Council are breaching their legal duty to equality over the decision to expand the footstreets scheme.
An umbrella group, Local Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), is formally objecting to the footstreet extensions being made permanent.
They cite the Equality Act 2010 in saying that the temporary extensions have disproportionately discriminated against disabled people and the decision is in breach of the council’s public sector equality duty.
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Responding to the council’s survey in September 2020, 78% of Blue Badge holders disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement: “There is parking close enough to allow me access to the city centre”.
The DPOs say the council’s decision to make the footstreet extensions permanent will result in some disabled people being excluded from the city centre permanently.
York Disability Rights Forum says: “We continue to hear from people affected by the changes and are listening to the devastating impact they are having.
“People just want to meet their friends, go to shops and restaurants, and access support and services in the city they live in and love.”
Legal obligation
The York Human Rights City Network has said that “as a matter of legal obligation, the dignity and respect of disabled people, and the impact of the access policies on disabled people’s rights must be considered in any ‘balancing’ of needs; such an assessment needs to occur with the full involvement of disabled people.”
It has recommended that the council to freeze the plans to make the footstreets permanent, acknowledge some city centre parking will be required, and to set up a working group in order to find a compromise which upholds the human rights of disabled people.
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‘More complex story’
A spokesperson from City of York Council said:
“We take our duties under the Equalities Act exceptionally seriously, which is why we are carrying out the most extensive review of accessibility in the city centre since the footstreets were established.
“Engagement with disabled people is at the heart of this review, allowing us to fully understand any issues and find recommendations which balance different access needs while protecting jobs and everyone using the city centre.
“Extensive engagement last year helped us better understand the impact of the temporary removal of blue badge parking from the footstreets. This prompted the reinstatement of blue badge access and parking in one area of the city centre and proposed additional bays in other areas.
“It also reinforced that blue badge parking is only part of a much more complex story of access into the city centre. There are real benefits of the removal of cars from the footstreets, with the traffic-free, smoother road surfaces improving access and perceptions of safety for many disabled people.
“Our review of the city centre includes parking and car parks, the quality of pavements and facilities and a range of other issues.
“We’ve had constructive sessions with disabled people and other groups wanting better access to the city centre to explore many of these issues. A series of recommendations will be shared ahead of any decision over the permanent removal of blue badge exemptions for access to footstreets during the 10.30am – 5pm period each day.
“We’re grateful that many of York’s disabled people have taken time to complete surveys and contribute to these conversations, and look forward to continuing that conversation as we undertake an extensive review of accessibility in the city centre and improve access for disabled people in York.”