PEOPLE power has prevailed over controversial plans to install a new bus route through a quiet York street.

Councillors overturned officers' recommendations to put a rising bollard at the end of Low Poppleton Lane, off Boroughbridge Road, to give First buses access to the Poppleton Park estate and business park.

Residents started a petition to fight the plans, claiming the route would be a hazard to children, and people living in Station Road, Poppleton, objected to the loss of their bus route.

More than 60 people packed the Poppleton Community Centre for the planning and transport meeting to voice their concerns.

Committee member Coun Mark Waudby said they were "disappointed" First had failed to send a representative to the meeting.

"The main reason we turned it down was not because of the bollard," he said. "There were serious concerns that residents in Station Road, Poppleton, would be left without a bus service. We were left in a difficult position because First didn't bother to send someone to discuss the issue. This was an emotive issue and the meeting was packed."

Father-of-two Andy Barker, who organised the petition with his wife, Kate, said: "This shows that people power can win the day. It has restored my confidence in councillors."

First managing director Brian Asquith said he was "extremely disappointed" with the decision.

"We gave officers detailed information where it was required," he said, "so we didn't see a need to be at the meeting. We were pretty well informed that the proposal would go through without much of a problem. It would have improved the reliability of our service without question."

Bill Woolley, assistant director of development and transport, said: "Obviously we are disappointed that our recommendation was not accepted."

Updated: 14:12 Thursday, March 14, 2002