A COUNCIL blunder could have led to York residents chaining themselves to lampposts, in a dramatic protest against a planned bus shelter.

Heworth Green residents were "outraged" when they received a City of York Council letter informing them that work would begin on the shelter opposite their homes next Monday, when they had not been consulted about the plans.

Sue Morris, who lives in the street, said residents were considering chaining themselves to lampposts and lying down in the street to prevent the shelter from being built.

But a council spokeswoman confirmed that residents would be consulted about the shelter, after they had been informed about it "in error".

She said: "The site in question is on the route to the new Monks Cross Park&Ride, and consequently needs improved facilities installing, such as access-friendly kerbs. The residents were told of this, plus the fact that a new pole and sign would be erected, in a letter in mid-May.

"Last week, we sent another letter, informing them of the start date for this work which is next Monday. Unfortunately, in error, we also stated that a new shelter was to be installed.

"However, this aspect is not a fait accompli and we will be consulting the residents on it.

"In hindsight, we perhaps confused them by mentioning the shelter in the same letter as the other essential work and, for that, we apologise.

"We have already drafted a third letter clarifying the situation and the residents should receive this soon.

"In the meantime, some of our engineers met a number of local people on site this morning and discussed the matter which hopefully helped further their understanding of the situation."

Sue Morris said neighbours feared a bus shelter could attract vandalism, and felt it was not appropriate in a conservation area. She added that a shelter would not be necessary, as only about five people a day used the existing bus stop.

"We just don't want it. We are going to try and stop it," she said, adding that she was pleased locals would now have an opportunity to comment about the plans.

Updated: 08:35 Wednesday, June 16, 2004