Blue Badge holders are allowed to park during the York Christmas Market

Disabled drivers will be allowed to park closer to a Christmas market after turning around restrictions.

York City Council had previously banned traffic, including Blue Badge holders, from parking in the city center during the opening hours of this season’s St Nicholas Fair.

Following lobbying from disability activists, the council has agreed that access via Goodramgate can be restored, although other routes remain closed.

Councilor Kate Ravilious told a meeting the idea was to “work all day long on access for next year’s market”.

The council said concerns about vehicular access were due to the risks to pedestrian safety at a time when footfall was higher due to the markets.

Ms Ravilious added: “We are meeting Make It York next week and we are committed to enabling Blue Badge access across the market next year.”

The Sinterklaas fair opened on November 14 and runs until December 22. There is no vehicle access to the city center via Lendal, Blake Street and Church Street between 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM BST.

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