A MARKET trader in York city centre has quit her stall after nearly half a century, blaming new council traffic rules.

Valerie Mitchell, who has worked on Newgate Market for 45 years, has handed in her notice due to the new rules banning vehicles from the city centre between 10.30am and 5pm.

The move, which saw the market time extended by an hour, is an 18-month experiment.

But market traders are unable to transport their goods and equipment during the pedestrianised hours and say they are suffering as a result. Some say the whole future of the market is being jeopardised.

Ms Mitchell said: “When we leave here, we hit the traffic, and take a long time getting home. I am a pensioner who doesn’t want to stop working, but I don’t want to be working just to sit in traffic.

“It’s not like a shop where you lock the door and go home. We have got to load up and some things are heavy.”

Gordon David, who runs a fruit and veg stall, said: “We wrote to the council, they never even had the courtesy to send us a reply. They don’t have a care in the world about us.

“They are going to lose so many of us and so much revenue, you only need six more traders leaving and it’s gone. Once it’s gone you won’t get it back.”

Paul Anderson, who runs a bag stall, said: “Some are setting up at 4am or 5am and not getting home until 6pm or 7pm because of the later hours. Trade is hard enough.”

James Boulby, who runs a watch stall, said the changes reduced the time he had to see his four-year-old son.

Gill Cooper, the city council’s head of culture, tourism and city centre, said: “Our markets and the traders who sell there are incredibly important to the city's diverse retail offer and we are keen to provide the right environment for them to thrive."

She said the changes were an 18-month experiment to improve pedestrian access and safety, and would be reviewed after six months

She said the council was seeking feedback from businesses and residents and changes could be made if appropriate.

She said she was responding to the traders’ letter and inviting them to meet to discuss the issues.