York anti-terror bollards not fully completed until spring - council

Work installing the anti-terror bollards at locations across York city centre began in late April

Anti-terror bollards in York will not be fully operational until after the city's Christmas market is over, the council has confirmed.

Work to install the barriers began in April after police said they were needed to protect people from attacks.

Peter Kilbane, the council's deputy leader, said the "vast majority" would be operational by the time the festive market opened on Friday.

However, they would not all be fully working until spring, the council said.

Speaking to BBC Radio York, Councillor Kilbane said the "big cut-off date" for work on the bollards was Friday, due to the Christmas market.

He said: "We need to make sure there are absolutely no works going on from that period.

"By then, the vast majority of works would be completed, so Goodramgate would be operational, as will most of them."

Permanent bollards will be installed before York's Christmas market takes place on Parliament Street, the council says

However, Mr Kilbane said the council realised "there was a chance" some of the barriers, including those at the bottom of Parliament Street where they go on to Stonebow, would not be completed in time for the Christmas market.

He said: "They have been suspended until next year. There will be temporary barriers put in there."

Temporary barriers would also be installed in Blake Street, Mr Kilbane said.

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He added that while it was expected that bollards at the end of Colliergate would be operational by Friday, the council had ordered temporary barriers as a precaution.

"All work will cease on the 17th [November] so traders can get on with their busy Christmas period."

'Good decision'

Earlier, James Gilchrist, the council's director of transport, environment and planning, attempted to downplay the delay, explaining the bollards were "just one phase" of work to help protect the city centre.

He said the works were "complex", adding some elements of the scheme were still to be shaped by ongoing consultation.

David Skaith, director of York High Street Forum, which represents traders, said suspending the work until after the festive period was "probably a good decision" due to the impact on impact on local businesses.

However, he pointed out that "work did not start until about May of this year".

"It just wasted those first three or four months of the year when York is so much quieter," he added.