York ‘ignoring human rights’ say campaigners, as council changes city centre access rules

An update on access to York city centre has been published – but disabled campaigners say they are ‘hugely disappointed’ by the plans.

City of York Council say the changes will improve access to the city for all, and come after “extensive engagement work with residents”.

The authority has faced a wave of criticism after removing the exemption offered to blue badge holders which allowed them to park in the city’s footstreets.

The update sets out “our desire to ensure that the city centre is safe and welcoming for all,” said transport lead and deputy council leader Andy D’Agorne.

“Whilst balancing the need to keep people safe, we are introducing a number of measures we hope will make the city centre more accessible.”

But York Accessibility Action (YAA) has challenged the plans.

The proposals – and the criticism

What the council says: It has been implementing a range of mitigations to improve access into the city centre, including prioritising the programme of dropped kerbs and improved pavements.

What YAA says: We have identified that this is being carried out without the advice of a qualified and experienced access officer and, in at least on location, with more concern for the historic environment than accessibility.

What the council says: The previously approved additional dedicated disabled bays have all been installed ‘on street’, with the implementation of further bays to be kept under review.

What YAA says: Most of the bays, particularly those nearest the city centre, are not dedicated disabled bays and are dual or triple use with Blue Badge holders being expected to compete with deliveries and food take-away/collection.

What the council says: The consultation on removing the exemptions and waivers in the footstreet area to fulfil the advice received by counter-terrorism experts started on Thursday 10 March and will run until Friday 1 April 2022.

What YAA says: We have heard nothing about this. There is nothing on the council web site either.

What the council says: We continue to work with disabled groups to identify two car parks for priority investment to improve disabled parking facilities and onward access routes into the city centre.

What YAA says: We are unsure which groups they are referring to as the disabled groups in York are liaising together in objection to the extended footstreet closures under the Reverse The Ban coalition.

The council also plans to recruit an access officer to “lead and deliver on accessibility services and projects across the city on an ongoing basis, following consultation with disability group representatives”.

Alison Hume, spokesperson for YAA, said: “Until they reverse the exclusion of blue badge holders that has been in place since June 2020 there is no adequate mitigation and our human rights have been breached.

“We remain hugely disappointed that the council remain steadfast in ignoring the rights of disabled people and we will continue to explore all legal avenues available to us to re-open York city centre to disabled residents and visitors.”

The report will go to the decision session of the executive member for transport tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10am. You can read the full report here.