Vehicle restrictions in place during York’s Christmas Market will leave disabled people locked out of the city centre for weeks, a campaign group has said.
The York Disability Rights Forum said restrictions barring Blue Badge holders and others from driving into the city centre would exclude people who have no other way of getting around.
A spokesperson for the group said disabled people were left paying a heavy price to try and keep the event safe from potential terror attacks.
North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Tim Forber has said the force is aware the restrictions will cause issues for some but they were needed to deter potential vehicle attacks.
It comes as City of York Council officials are currently working with the police to find ways to lessen the impact on those affected by the restrictions.
Vehicles, including those belonging to Blue Badge holders, delivery drivers and council waste disposal teams, will be barred from city centre streets already subject to hostile vehicle measures.
The Anti-Terror Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) approved by the council following a police request will be in place from Thursday, November 13 to Saturday, December 21 from 10am to 7pm.
The Disability Rights Forum’s spokesperson said this year would see Blue Badge holders barred during the whole event, not just busy periods like last year.
They added the restrictions came hot on the heels of their access being disrupted due to emergency water repairs which have closed Goodramgate and other streets.
The spokesperson said: “We again find Blue Badge holders are to be locked out of our city.
“We thought we had seen the end of such exclusions, many Blue Badge holders have no other way of getting to where they need to be, except via a vehicle.
“Imagine what it feels like to not be allowed to reach your optician, chemist, place of worship, bank or building society, shops and cinemas for weeks at a time.
“We all want to be safe from terrorist attacks but this has devastating consequences for us.
“Our Blue Badges are currently scrutinised before we are allowed through the barriers so that should be enough.
“We were anyway told the barriers themselves would deter vehicle attacks.
“But who will be scrutinising the thousands entering the city on foot? Why are we being asked to pay such a heavy price?”
