The upgrade of a main York high street which has seen dozens of bollards installed has ‘created a hostile atmosphere’, according to a leading councillor.
Earlier this week, YorkMix reported widespread concern among Acomb residents about the changes to Front Street.
The number of bollards has made it ‘resemble a military zone’, Vicki Hill told YorkMix.
Now Labour Group leader Cllr Claire Douglas has stepped in. She said Labour welcomed the £395K Front Street project, but this was not what they were expecting.
“Instead of delivering a friendly unified space for residents to visit and businesses to thrive, the exact opposite has happened with scores of bollards installed creating a hostile atmosphere splitting the street in half.
“The Future of Acomb Front Street report, commissioned by the council at a cost of £20,000, has been totally ignored. Why does the council keep spending tens of thousands of pounds on consultations which it then ignores?”
If it had followed the recommendations in that report “there would have been no need for the bollards”. It recommended a welcoming space with trees, vibrant edges, pocket parks and a decluttered public realm.
“If the Liberal Democrat councillors in charge of this project wanted to make Front Street more attractive to shoppers and businesses, strengthening the local economy, they should have taken residents and traders’ views seriously.
“Unfortunately, what they have done so far in no way matches local ambitions with some people saying that it actually detracts from the area.
“There are far better ways to protect our shopping areas while at the same time making them more appealing spaces for local people to use and spend their money in.
“If ruling councillors want to know how to do this scheme properly they can read all about it in the report that they commissioned.”
We have asked the Lib Dem Group to respond and will update when we get it.
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