A day after it was reopened due to safety concerns, a pavement leading into Shambles will shut again tomorrow (Tuesday).
First thing this morning the whole of the Pavement end of Shambles was closed to allow workers to begin the installation of anti-terror bollards.
But only hours later, work was brought to an abrupt halt over safety concerns.
Because of the barriers, people were using a shortcut through the St Crux churchyard.
YorkMix witnessed a number of shoppers clambering over the 2½ft wall to get to and from Shambles.
Traders had warned City of York Council that this would happen – and expressed gratitude that the pavement next to the church was reopened.
However, their relief was short-lived. This evening, City of York Council issued a statement to say the whole of the Pavement end of Shambles will be closed again from tomorrow.
James Gilchrist, the council’s director of transport, environment and planning, said: “Shambles’ junction with Pavement was due to be completely closed today.
“As agreed with the Highways Authority, this was conditional upon appropriate signage, ramps and diversions being in place.
“When we inspected the works this morning, we found that some of this was missing. We then immediately opened up the footway on the St Crux side.
“We expect the Pavement end of Shambles to close tomorrow for five weeks with six other access points open from Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, Shambles Market and Kings Square. As before, we apologise for any disruption caused.”
Phil Pinder of the Shambles Area Traders’ Association feared what this decision could lead to.
“The council’s own highway team saw on a quiet Monday morning how dangerous obstructing this end of Shambles was,” he said.
“People will still use the quickest route through the church and ignoring the signage in place – there will be an accident, and James Gilchrist is clearly happy with this.
“A real shame the council will not engage on this, littering a narrow and busy street with little signs will just cause even more obstacles and cause more accidents.
“As the street is getting closed again, we have no option but to pursue our legal action as tenants of council properties.”