Decision

Background / Decision Summary:
In May 2026, Executive decided to “to progress a 6-day Christmas Market, with 10.30am to 7pm market operation on the operational days, and (…) to select Tuesday as the rest day, and as part of this, on the rest day, to restrict Blue Badge access to the Goodramgate access loop only, with additional temporary Hostile Vehicle Measures to protect Church Street, Low Petergate and King’s Square from vehicles” on a trial basis for 2026. The decision and supporting documents are available here, under Item 234: https://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=733&MId=15601&Ver=4

This officer decision sets out the principles of rest day operation for the five Tuesdays during the Christmas market, which will take place between 12 November and 21 December 2026.
During this period, on Tuesdays:
- Access restrictions will be in place as usual in the footstreets, between 10.30am and 5pm (restrictions are extended to 7.30pm on other days during the Christmas market).
- A stricter regime will apply for vehicle waivers as vehicles will only be granted access for emergencies between 10.30am and 5pm (this applies until 7.30pm on other days during the Christmas market).
- Vehicles carrying Blue Badge holders will be able to access the footstreets from Goodramgate, passing through the hostile vehicle mitigation bollards (HVMs) at the junction with Deangate between 10.30am and 5pm and proceeding onto Goodramgate, King’s Square, and Colliergate (this is not available on other days during the Christmas market). Officers will be available, at the Goodramgate access point, to check Blue Badges and request access through the HVMs for vehicles carrying Blue Badge holders.
- Church Street will not be accessible to vehicles carrying Blue Badge holders as temporary HVMs will be in place on Low Petergate, Church Street, and King’s Square between 10.30am and 5pm on Tuesdays. Officers will be available to open the temporary HVMs if required for emergency access.
- The Blake Street loop will remain closed between 10.30amd and 5pm (extended to 7.30pm on other days during the Christmas market)
- Vehicles displaying a Blue Badge will be able to park free of charge for up to 3 hours on double yellow lines on Goodramgate and King’s Square (without causing an obstruction)
- A loading ban will be in place between 10.30am and 5pm, covering the whole footstreets area, with the exception of Goodramgate, King’s Square and Colliergate (to enable Blue Badge parking to take place). Vehicles found in breach of the parking and loading restrictions may receive a PCN and be removed to St George’s Car Park (the loading ban will apply until 7.30pm and include Goodramgate, King’s Square and Colliergate on other days).
- Shambles market traders will be able to use vehicles to access their stalls from 5pm, travelling through Goodramgate (this will only be possible from 7.30pm on other days)
- Parking charges for City of York Council car parks will be set at “Friday, Saturdays and events” levels for the duration of the Christmas Market, including on Tuesdays

Decision:
Set out the principles of rest day operation for the five Tuesdays during the Christmas market, which will take place between 12 November and 21 December 2026.