York Press column: York should be accessible to all
November 2, 2022
We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world that is home to an array of incredible independent businesses and numerous enticing hospitality outlets. In fact, we risk taking our luck for granted when unfortunately not even all York residents can enjoy the simple pleasure of an afternoon in the city centre.
While there are many reasons why this may be, I can identify two from my inbox: blue badge restrictions and dwindling bus service provision. Every week I receive correspondence from constituents who cannot access the city centre, either because they’re a blue badge driver and the restrictions have made the city centre an effective no-go zone or because the bus service in their village has been withdrawn.
To address these issues, I have entered the ballot to hold Westminster Hall debates on blue badge access to town and city centres as well as on village bus services. Both these issues exclude many residents who have the right to equal access to their city centre and hurts businesses by limiting potential customers who now shope elsewhere either in other towns or online.
Residents who have already received my most recent leaflet will be aware that I am collecting signatures for a petition I wish to ultimately present to Parliament as part of my efforts to enshrine blue badge access into law. You can sign the petition here: https://backourcampaign.co.uk/campaigns/keep-york-accessible?utm_medium=offline
City centre restrcitions have been a concern of mine for sometime and in July I raised restrictions for blue badge holders in York with the Equalities Minister. Despite public backlash and outcry from disability groups, the Liberal Democrat and Green Party joint administration have refused lift the restrictions. I strongly support my Conservative colleagues on City of York Council who are committed to lifting the restrictions if it ever came to a vote at Full Council and have pledged to lift all restrictions as part of their campaign ahead of next year’s local elections.
For those without a car, a local bus service is a lifeline and, with many villages now without a shop, post office, GP surgery or pub, being able to travel into the city centre is essential. Recently I shared the disappointment of my constituents that the 412 bus serving Rufforth could be withdrawn, almost a decade after I last joined villagers to fight for the service to continue. Similarly, the future of the number 11 bus to Bishopthorpe was called into question in September to much distress of residents reliant on the service.
Over summer I encouraged residents of Stockton-on-the-Forest to engage with a consultation to determine potential routes to dual the A64 and one of the immediate concerns raised with me was whether any changes to the road network would require the Coastliner service to be rerouted. Clear evidence of how vital the service is to the village.
There is hope though as in some parts of my constituency services are actually improving. With funding from North Yorkshire County Council, Naburn now has a weekend evening bus service into York. The message is very much for residents to use it (as well as hopefully residents in North Yorkshire who the funding was intended for) so that councillors have a strong argument to renew investment. I will be monitoring passenger figures closely to hopefully use this service as an example to City of York Council that village bus services should be a priority for investment over ‘nice to have’ projects.
Like any ballot, my success applying for these Westminster Hall debates is not guaranteed but I promise to reapply and continue lobbying on these important issues until all residents can access their city centre with ease. I will not rest until this issue is resolved once and for all with protection under law to avoid it ever being repeated.
Ahead of these potential debates, if any constituents with to share their experience of the blue badge restrictions, how important their bus service is to them or how the withdrawal of a bus service has impacted them, please email me so I can share them with Ministers as part of my lobbying activity.
