York Designer Outlet Christmas parking ban could enforced all year

Double yellow lines would be painted along a stretch of Naburn Lane and in St Nicholas Avenue leading to the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet which would cover the cost.

A City of York Council report stated making restrictions which are temporarily in place in the run-up to Christmas permanent would help tackle parking on verges and footpaths.

But the outlet stated putting restrictions along the whole length of St Nicholas Avenue would remove parking spots used as a last resort during extreme congestion.

It comes as the proposals are set to go before a council transport meeting for a decision on Tuesday, September 22.

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The plans would see the need for traffic cones to be temporarily placed in the roads every year during the Designer Outlet’s Winter Wonderland event removed.

No waiting at any time restrictions would be in place on Naburn Lane from just after the junction with Fulford Court to just before the Yorkshire Water treatment plant.

Restrictions would be in place on both sides of the road, except on one side on the stretch of Naburn Lane in front of homes there.

Double yellow lines would be painted along both the outer sides of St Nicholas Avenue and those closest to the central reservation.

They would be in place from the A19 Fulford Interchange up to and including the roundabout in front of the Designer Outlet’s car park.

Temporary parking restrictions are currently in place during the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet’s Winter Wonderland event (Image: McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York)

The council’s report stated temporary cones placed on temporarily restricted stretches of road during previous years had not been enough to stop people parking on St Nicholas Avenue’s verges.

It added cones had been damaged in previous years and a number of complaints were made after one smashed and debris was strewn across the road.

The report also stated putting measures in place permanently would mean temporary restrictions would not have to be brought in every time there is an event.

It added there was potential for more events to be held at the Designer Outlet at different times of year.

The report said: “This will improve the safety of the area, following the danger associated with the temporary measures that were put in place to support the Winter Wonderland event.

“The implementation of the proposed restriction will help reduce the potential impact of damage to the kerb edge from vehicles driving up the full height kerb to park on the grass verge adjacent to the carriageway.”

But the outlet stated that while something needed to be done to tackle the issue and they supported plans for Naburn Lane, there were concerns about St Nicholas Avenue.

It added the council had rejected its plans last year for an overflow car park during the festive period.

The outlet stated: “During November and December in 2025 the council agreed to prioritise placing parking restriction cones on the central reservation, the roundabout (island) and also the junctions and their approaches.

“The shared view at the time was to focus on the areas that posed the greatest risk to safety and to minimise any potential traffic obstructions.

“As an agreed compromise the main length of the St Nicolas Avenue on the outside was not coned.

“Whilst not encouraged, it did give a last resort option for road uses to park when all other parking options were exhausted.

“We still have ongoing and shared traffic congestion challenges at this destination which we still need further dialogue and resolution with the council on.”