City of York councillors have heard concerns from University students over bike bollards located at the campus end of Heslington Road.
Third-year undergraduate George Hughes delivered a 3-minute speech to officials at the City of York council meeting yesterday evening.
He called on councillors to take action to replace the bollards – described in a Facebook picture as “death” traps – following safety and disability concerns.
One student is alleged to have suffered serious injuries falling off their bike, whilst another reportedly broke their bicycle and collarbone because of the two metal bollards.
Hughes also argued that the road was “impassable” for wheelchair users and blind people with guide dogs.
“They are impassable with a white cane and also impassable if you have a guide dog,” he told councillors.
“It’s kind of difficult to tell exactly where they are if you are unable to see.”
He also dismissed concerns over cost, insisting that the University had “indicated” that it would spend money to fund the replacement.
“University has indicated they would be more than happy to spend money on this,” he said.
A petition set-up by Hughes has managed to attract more than 1,100 signatures since its creation.
It calls on council officials to “replace the Dangerous Bollards Located at the Campus end of Old Heslington Road with ‘Cycle Friendly Bollards’.”
A City of York Council spokesperson said via Twitter that Fishergate Councillor Dave Taylor had presented the petition on the bollards following the council meeting.