Anti-terror traffic rules could become permanent

Anti-terrorism traffic restrictions which were introduced during last year's York Christmas Market could be made permanent.

A consultation over whether to approve a request by police to keep in place an anti-terror traffic regulation order (ATTRO) first brought in for the festive event has been launched.

Similar measures already in place in cities across the UK were designed to reduce the risk of terror attacks, according to City of York Council.

The consultation over the traffic restrictions is part of a number of measures the authority is considering to change the way future Christmas Markets are run.

Other ideas include adding more temporary Blue Badge parking spaces, introducing rest areas, changes to opening times and opening the winter event on fewer days.

Police have said measures barring vehicles from city centre streets subject to "hostile vehicle measures" during the event's opening hours were needed to deter attacks targeting mass gatherings.

But some people with disabilities have criticised the restrictions, saying they hindered their access to the city centre in the run-up to Christmas.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the permanent ATTRO would typically lie dormant, but it could be triggered if the police, council and other emergency services deemed it necessary.

The council stated that having measures in place permanently would make reactions to requests for restrictions immediate, instead of having to process requests individually.

Speaking earlier this month, council leader Claire Lewis said measures to ease the impact of the market were designed to make it, and the city centre, accessible to everyone.

The proposed ATTRO, which could be used to temporarily restrict access to parts of the city centre, would extend beyond the area currently protected by hostile vehicle bollards to Deangate, College Street, Duncombe Place, High Petergate and Precentor's Court.

Liberal Democrat councillor Paula Widdowson said the ruling Labour group's pledge to reverse a city centre Blue Badge parking ban risked being broken if the ATTRO was made permanent.

Disability rights activist Flick Williams said she feared the ATTRO would be used during more city centre events, including protests, as counter-terror measures became more stringent.

York Pubwatch said a compromise should be found if an ATTRO was brought in permanently, and called for the Christmas Market to be protected.

The consultation is set to run for eight weeks until 13 May.

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