Luke Charters has joined campaigners, together with the York Incapacity Rights Discussion board, in calling for the ban to be eliminated.
Metropolis of York Council’s transport boss beforehand mentioned preparations for this yr’s market had been “contractually too far superior earlier within the yr to make the adjustments that might permit this to occur safely”.
Mr Charters mentioned: “I’ve persistently campaigned for the elimination of the blue badge ban put in place by the earlier Liberal Democrat and Inexperienced coalition.
“This difficulty got here up persistently on the doorways, so I used to be delighted that this Labour administration reversed the blue badge ban as considered one of their first acts on assuming energy.
“Each resident ought to have entry to our metropolis centre, all yr spherical. Not permitting blue badge entry for the Christmas market means many residents can’t have the chance to get pleasure from this unbelievable occasion.
“I perceive that the preparations for the market had been effectively underway and so could not be amended this yr. I’ll work with the council, York Incapacity Rights Discussion board and Make It York to work in direction of Blue Badge entry all yr spherical, for the approaching years.”
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The Labour MP met with incapacity rights activist Flick Williams, who was amongst these criticising the ban.
“It was accepted that our human rights are being breached throughout the everlasting ban, so my query is how is it okay to breach them and exclude us throughout the 5 weeks that the Christmas markets are on,” Ms Williams, who can also be a member of the Reverse the Ban group, mentioned beforehand. “What makes it okay to exclude us for the Christmas Market apart from the blatant pursuit of cash?”
Council ‘dedicated’ to restoring blue badge entry throughout subsequent yr’s Christmas market, says transport boss
Cllr Kate Ravilious, govt member for transport on the council, mentioned: “We had hoped to permit blue badge holders entry to town centre all through the Christmas Market, however sadly preparations for the market this yr had been contractually too far superior earlier within the yr to make the adjustments that might permit this to occur safely.
“We’re dedicated to working with Make it York to discover a method to welcome blue badge holders to the Christmas Market subsequent yr and past.”
James Gilchrist, the council’s director of transport, setting and planning, mentioned blue badge holders have entry to town centre between 7pm and 10.30am.
He added {that a} letter has been despatched to blue badge holders, reminding them that they will proceed to park in bays in Duncombe Place and Piccadilly, and on double yellow strains, the place this doesn’t trigger an obstruction.
“Blue badge holders may also use the parking areas on Tower Avenue and in Fort Automobile Park and different council automobile parks for an infinite interval,” he mentioned.
