BLUE Badge holders are being asked for their views on potential new parking spaces on the edge of York city centre - before a temporary ban on parking in footstreets could become permanent.

City of York Council says it is reviewing options to provide additional disabled parking locations at the edges of the pedestrianised 'footstreets' area.

It says it is doing so before considering whether to make permanent the temporary changes to access arrangements introduced last year, which removed Blue Badge access exemptions on specific streets - to protests from disabled drivers.

It says a separate consultation will take place over that matter but, for now, the council wants to understand how useful potential additional Blue Badge parking locations would be, and it is looking at a mix of new parking bays, potential shared spaces and options to improve some double yellow line parking with dedicated bays.

The possible areas include the Blake Street/ Duncombe Place junction, Duncombe Place Horse and Carriage Bay, St Andrewgate and St Andrew's Place, near King’s Square, Deangate, between the Cross Keys and Minster, Stonebow outside Calvert's carpets, St Denys Road, Cumberland Street, Lord Mayor's Walk near Monk Bar and St Leonard's Place.

As part of the consultation, the council is also talking to other users of these spaces, including taxi associations, neighbouring businesses and residents.

Cllr Andy D’Agorne, deputy leader and executive member for transport, said that while the benefits of the footstreets were felt by many disabled residents and businesses, the council was determined to find alternative Blue Badge parking if that would help to reduce the negative impact on others.

“We need Blue Badge holders to tell us which new locations might improve their access to and experience of the city centre, so please take the survey or sign up for the workshop.”

People can take the online survey at www.york.gov.uk/consultations. They will be shown a number of potential new places for Blue Badge parking and asked questions about the locations, types of bays and other options at each location.

Online workshops will be held on Thursday 22 April 22, where a transport officer will hear views and answer any questions about this, between 3pm and 4:30pm and from 5pm to 6:30pm.