More of York’s city centre will be pedestrianised and footstreet hours extended until 8pm, as the council provides the space for businesses to operate safely.

The changes will make access to city centre restaurants, pubs, cafes, shops and businesses easier, as the government continues to relax restrictions on the hospitality industry. 

The actions support the council’s Economic Recovery – Transport and Place Strategy, to make York an inclusive safe, and attractive place for everyone. York has one of the largest pedestrian zones in Europe, with many areas within York’s city centre already designated as pedestrian footstreets.

The council will now advertise the changes before they can come into place, likely to be within two weeks. They will mean:

  • no vehicles are allowed to access, or park on footstreets including deliveries between 10.30am and 8pm, seven days a week (previously this was up to 5pm).
  • the pedestrian zones will be extended further, to include Goodramgate between Monk Bar and Deangate (except for access), College Street, Deangate and Fossgate

Special arrangements will be put in place to allow market traders to leave at 5pm.  The council is also working with York BID, Make It York and businesses across the city to make sure public squares and footstreets are safe, well-managed places.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said:

“We are moving at pace to introduce new measures to enable social distancing and support the largely local, independent businesses which contribute to York’s special character.

“Alongside free parking for the first two hours, and extra measures for blue badge holders, we’re giving all those people who are working from home throughout the day a chance to get out and enjoy the city centre safely after work.

“We’re are continuing to monitor the impact of all the changes and I would encourage every York resident to give us their feedback through www.york.gov.uk/OurBigConversation.”

Cllr Andy D’Agorne, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Transport, said: 

“Introducing this footstreets extension is an important step to improve access to the city centre in a safe and easy fashion, as well as making the most of the most of the opportunities to support our businesses and help our residents to shop local in these difficult times.

“This action is crucial to help keep residents and visitors safe, in line with latest government guidance, and give you confidence to enjoy everything our wonderful city has to offer.”

During the footstreet times, barriers (staffed for an initial period) will be in place in Goodramgate and Blake Street to control access, but emergency vehicles and the Dial-a-Ride vehicle will be permitted access at all times.

Alongside the hospitality sector reopening this month, the council is encouraging the safe return of residents and visitors by incentivising short stay parking in some of the city’s car parks.

This includes offering free parking in July (2 hrs) and August (1hr) to support local businesses and residents and encourage people to shop local. More on this can be found here: www.york.gov.uk/news/article/235/free-parking-supports-economy

In addition to this, Blue Badge holders can, as has always been the case, park for free in any council car park and can take advantage of using disabled bay spaces in council car parks too. For more information on council car parks visit www.york.gov.uk/parking

Blue Badges:

An additional 40 disabled parking bays have been allocated for Blue Badge holders in Monk Bar car park, just off Lord Mayor’s Walk.

A free taxi service is available at Monk Bar car park to take Blue Badge

holders to the back of Barnitts (St Andrewgate) only. The council-funded

service will be operated by Hackney carriages who will do regular runs to the city centre and you will be able to arrange a return journey.

In what has been a challenging time for residents, businesses and our communities, we are closing parts of the city centre to traffic and vehicles, in order to enable more room for social distancing.

To view the foostreet locations visit www.york.gov.uk/footstreets

During the footstreet times, barriers (staffed for an initial period) will be

in place in Goodramgate and Blake Street to control access, but emergency vehicles and the Dial and Ride vehicle will be permitted access at all times.

Dial and Ride offers a service for people with difficulty walking or using public transport. Specially adapted buses offer a door-to-door service from your home to the city centre or out of town retail parks and supermarkets.  To contact Dial and Ride, please call 01904 551441.

Shopmobility is a registered charity that provides electric scooters, wheelchairs and manual wheelchairs for hire to enable people to enjoy the shops and attractions in York.  To contact Shopmobility, please call 01904 679 222 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We will continue to work with those who have additional access requirements to make sure all residents are still able to access the city centre.

Any residents who are vulnerable or are medically shielding can continue to access support through our community hubs, which continue to:

  • support the most vulnerable residents with delivering foods
  • deploy York's pool of volunteers
  • support people with collecting and delivering their prescriptions
  • support community pharmacies with deliveries, working with Move the Masses

Anyone needing help because they are directly affected by coronavirus and have no other source of help or who are struggling financially, should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01904 551550. The helpline is open seven days a week.

“Residents can to give feedback about the recovery plans by participating in the city-wide consultation “Our Big Conversation”, which will help produce a long-term vision for the city. There will be plenty more opportunities to take part, but please fill in the initial survey at www.york.gov.uk/OurBigConversation.”

Guidance on safely opening has been issued to the hospitality sectorand is available, along with a free toolkit at www.york.gov.uk/BusinessToolkit

Additional temporary toilets have been installed on Parliament Street with FREE entry and are open until 10pm at night.

The following public toilets are now offering a contactless payment option and will be open until 10pm (from Friday 3 July)

  • St George's Field
  • Coppergate Shopping Centre –
  • Exhibition Square
  • Silver Street (contactless from next week)

The council is continuing to work with stakeholders and partners to improve, evolve and refine these proposals.

Residents can stay up-to-date with the latest proposals and Our Big Conversation by signing up to the weekly resident newsletter: www.york.gov.uk/form/EmailUpdates