Damaged barrier to be replaced amid safety fears

The roadside barrier was damaged during a crash at Christmas

A road barrier in York will be replaced later this year, about nine months after it was damaged in a crash at Christmas, a council has confirmed.

Parish councillors had called for the Hull Road barrier, near B&Q, to be repaired and debris from the crash to be finally removed from the roadside in the interests of safety.

However, City of York Council said inspections had found the barrier was still safe and three months' notice would be needed before works could take place.

The barrier was due to be replaced in the first weekend of September, with a road closure set to be put in place, the council said.

Liberal Democrat parish councillors Caleb Pell and Danielle Mason had both been campaigning for the replacement, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Mason said: "It's only a matter of luck there hasn't been another accident while the footpath is in use.

"We are once again calling on the council to take action and replace the barrier as soon as possible. It is a matter of public safety."

Parish councillors say chunks of crash debris remain at the site

Pell said: "Local Liberal Democrats teams have cleared away as much of the debris from the car crash as we can, but there are still large chunks of bodywork on site."

The council's spokesperson said efforts were already under way to replace the barrier, but the works would be significant and a road closure would be required.

The spokesperson said: "Our team are satisfied the existing barrier is still able to act as a safety barrier while we arrange for replacement works to take place, so we do not need a temporary repair or to arrange urgent repairs.

"As these are not urgent works, we are required to give the three months' notice for the repairs in accordance with the legislation to ensure coordination with other planned roadworks to minimise the impact on all users.

"If the barrier fails to provide a safe restraint in the meantime then we will of course review."

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