A council official has now admitted that they took down the safety barriers next to the Spar shop on Acomb Road.

He claims that it is part of the improvements being made to the route linking the new A59 park and ride site with the City centre.

However residents were consulted about proposals for The Fox junction several months ago. The plans can still be found on the council’s web site.

They give no indication that it was proposed to remove the safety railings.

The official also claims that the removal forms part of the Councils “de-cluttering” policy. This was the policy to remove railings, street signs and other street furniture in the City centre conservation area.

That the strategy now seems to be spreading across the whole City will come as news to many and – where children’s safety is concerned – will be a source of anxiety.

Nor have any local residents been consulted about the removal plans. They were given no notice of the work starting.

Even now they have no idea when the scheme will be completed.

The railings were provided about 25 years ago following complaints about children leaving the local shop and stepping straight out onto the busy highway junction.

A decision to remove this safety feature is most definitely one that local residents should have the final say in.

We’ve reported that the bollard which was located at the junction of Huntsman’s Walk and Fir Heath Close in Foxwood Hill has been damaged.

The bollard was apparently hit by a lorry last week. It is not the first time that this has happened.

We reported the issue using the “My Council” mobile phone app which can be found by clicking here.

We understand that residents had difficulty reporting the issue themselves to the Council by phone last week

The consultation meeting, which was to have taken place on 4th March and which was cancelled by the Council at short notice, will now take place at Heslington Church on Wednesday 10th April between 7:00pm and 8:30pm