Anti-terror bollards to be installed at High Ousegate junction

The sliding bollards will be installed at the junction of High Ousegate and Piccadilly during the last phase of City of York Council's £3.5 million scheme to protect against ‘vehicle as weapon attacks’.

They will cover the junction of High Ousegate and Parliament Street with Piccadilly, next to the fixed bollards outside All Saints’ Church.

The council said the work will start on Tuesday, August 27, and is expected to take nine weeks.

Access to High Ousegate from Piccadilly will close to traffic during this time, a council spokesperson said.

Where the bollards will be installed (Image: Dylan Connell)

The junction is currently open to vehicles between 5pm and 10.30am.

During the work vehicles will be able to access High Ousegate from Parliament, then leave the city centre via Coney Street and Lendal.

A sliding bollard like the ones that will be installed (Image: Dylan Connell)

Pedestrians will be unaffected during the work and Blue Badge holders will be able to drive into the city centre as usual through Blake Street and Goodramgate.

The council spokesperson said the work has been timed to end before the busy Christmas market period but noted that “working in an ancient city means that it is difficult to predict the exact length of time it will take”.

Businesses affected by the work have received letters from the council’s contractor which offer the chance to discuss access needs and support, they added.

The contractor’s traffic marshals will offer support at busy loading and delivery times.

'I’m sorry for any disruption this final work may cause,' says council's transport boss

Cllr Kate Ravilious, the council’s executive member for transport, apologised for the disruption the work may cause.

“This is the last section of the ring of bollards installed to help protect everyone visiting, working and living in the city centre,” she said. “I’m sorry for any disruption this final work may cause. Thank you for your patience and co-operation while it’s underway.”

Cllr Ravilious added that the council will work with the York BID to promote local businesses and ensure people know they are open during the work.

Cllr Kate Ravilious, the council’s executive member for transport (Image: Dylan Connell)

“To support businesses and people in the city centre, our team is ensuring that access remains open, and that anyone using the pavements will have the necessary 1.5 metres width to pass by the work area,” she said. “As with previous installations, we’re working with the York BID to promote local businesses which may be affected.

“Please expect the works to take up to nine weeks although we hope they will finish earlier than that. If you’ve any concerns, please let us or the contractor’s public liaison officer know as soon as possible.”

Recommended reading:

• Bollardgate: Looking back at the first year of York’s new security measures
• Traders on famous York street fear impact of work to install bollards
• 'We don’t stand a chance’ - York business owners fear for future amid street closure

As The Press reported, the work to install anti-terrorism bollards across the city centre started last year.

The then Liberal Democrat-Green City of York Council revealed that the protection measures would be installed following advice from Counter Terrorism Police.

Bollards were first installed in Lendal and High Petergate, then Goodramgate, Shambles, Blake Street and Colliergate.

Traders in the streets previously told The Press their businesses were impacted during the work, with some claiming the disruption had a big hit on takings.