285,000 fewer people have visited the Parliament Street area since new traffic restrictions introduced in August.
The number of visitors to the City has dropped dramatically since the new restrictions were introduced on Coppergate and on Lendal Bridge.
The latest figures have been released by the York Council following a Freedom of Information request
In total, footfall cameras on Parliament Street recorded 2.695 million people between 1st August and the start of the St Nicholas Fayre on 28th November.
The equivalent figure for 2012 was 2.980 million, a fall of 10%.
Figures recovered over the 4 days of the St Nicholas Fayre although the concentration of footfall may have been influenced by the positioning of the market.
The figures are even more disappointing given the relatively good weather that we have experienced so far this autumn.
They confirm that the new restrictions are having a major adverse effect on the economic viability of many retailers in the City centre.
The Council has previously resisted calls for the restrictions to be suspended at least until the busy pre Christmas period is over.
- The detailed figures are:
- August 746,340 visitors (780,646 in 2012 – 4%)
- September 699,042 (798,182 – 12%)
- October 717,634 (775,144 – 7%)
- November 532,157 (646,226 -18%) to start of St Nicholas Fayre on 28th November
By contrast, in the first 7 months of the year, visitor numbers had fallen by a total of 5% with the decrease being blamed on a large increase in car parking charges.
A spreadsheet showing individual figures for each day can be found by clicking here.
A Council survey on residents and visitors reactions to the traffic restrictions can be found here
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/lendalsurvey