Traders protest over city’s £3.5m ‘Mad Max’ bollards

THE stone walls of York have protected the ancient city for centuries – but it seems they’re no longer enough after the council agreed to install £3.5million anti-terror bollards in its tiny cobbled streets.

Traders claim the steel and concrete blocks are totally unsuited. ‘They are huge, ugly, Mad Max-style bollards made of concrete – not great for a beautiful tourist city,’ said David Skaith, chairman of York High Street Forum and owner of a clothing shop.

‘They’re also really expensive. They are so big and cumbersome it makes some areas less safe because they take up so much space on the pavement, preventing prams and wheelchairs getting through.’

Neil Ferris, the city’s director of place, defended the plan, saying: ‘Following attacks in Liverpool, London, Berlin and Nice, installing counterterrorism measures addresses the risk of an attack by vehicles.’