Some of Acomb’s army of bollards could go as new plans are drawn up for Front Street.
But campaigners fear that the new plans will still bring too much ‘street clutter’ to the York township.
After 136 bollards were installed during a £400K upgrade on Front Street, horrified Acomb residents launched a petition to have them removed.
Resident Vicki Hill said the changes left the high street resembling ‘a military zone’. She launched the ‘What a load of bollards’ campaign, which collected hundreds of signatures and saw a question asked in the Commons.
Now a new approach has been drawn up.
It will be presented to the executive member for economy and transport Cllr Pete Kilbane at a meeting on Tuesday (20 February).
The council still has £570K of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) money to spend on the project. After listening to residents and other stakeholders, the council is proposing possible works which could include:
- creating a more people friendly space and reducing the number of bollards
- creating a more accessible destination, for example through generously-sized pedestrian crossings and accessible car parking
- considering longer-term aspirations, including pedestrianisation of the road.
The recommendation is to open engagement for phase 2 of the Front Street scheme in order to receive feedback and test some initial ideas.
‘Not universally popular’
Cllr Kilbane said: “We recognise that the works carried out under the last administration, using UKSPF money, were not universally popular.
“However, there were some positive changes that we can build on, including repaired pavements and new accessible seating, tactile crossings and cycle racks.
“But the bollards are disliked by many in the community, and we will use this latest funding to address that issue. By working with residents and businesses we will find a way to make Front Street more accessible and welcoming.”
Vicki has welcomed the rethink. But she added: “We are deeply frustrated by the focus on yet more street clutter and interventions as our approach is that we must simply begin again.”
She said that process should start with:
- the removal of all pointless bollards
- restricting vehicle access – already cars may only use the High Street in early morning and late evening – to allow disabled drivers and deliveries only
- making the road pedestrian-friendly with level areas while pedestrianisation is considered in the future
- following what people asked for in the original £20,000 consultation, including one level space and cafe pavement seating.
She said: “Once this cheap and sensible plan is in place, we can look for the ‘icing’ such as murals, artistic seating and planters which we, as the Friends of Acomb Forum and WALOB group, will provide via grants and fund raising in the future”.
Campaigners “are deeply concerned that the council is wasting the precious pot… on yet more proposals and consultations”.
“Adding signs, street clutter and better toilets does not come anywhere near to what we, representing the overwhelming majority of Acomb residents, actually want,” Vicki said.
The bollards campaigners said they will “continue to shout about this” until councillors and council officers “really listen – or we will reach the March 2025 deadline by which the money must be spent and realise we still live in a military-style barricade instead of an open community space this much neglected area of York deserves to enjoy”.
