Campaigner says reopening East Park gates ‘deeply unpopular’ and urges…
A woman who regularly uses Hull's East Park has called on councillors to reconsider plans to reopen its gates to traffic. Sarah Barley, who lives opposite the park and walks her dog there, told Hull City Council's East Area Committee that hundreds objected to allowing cars onto its roads to park. She added her and others concerned about the plans felt ignored after the council's own survey showed a majority of people nearby opposed them. Council Deputy Leader and Holderness ward's Cllr Jackie Dad said they had done their best to hear people's views and take their concerns into account as much as possible. It comes as the plans are now set to go to council leader Cllr Mike Ross for a final sign off. READ MORE: Changes to plans to reopen East Park's gates to cars following consultation East Park gates campaigners claim people's 'views ignored' as council survey suggests slim reopening support They followed a complaint on behalf of an older wheelchair user who claimed the closure of gates in November 2020 stopped him from being able to get into the park. The council closed the gates to improve safety for those visiting during lockdowns but that decision prompted complaints from people living nearby due to visitors parking in their streets. A council survey of 79 people living near the park found reopening the main gates was supported by 20 per cent of respondents. Alternative solutions were backed by 10 per cent, while 61 per cent were opposed to any changes and nine per cent of people were undecided. A map showing the plans to let traffic into East Park (Image: Hull City Council) All respondents opposed reopening the gates on James Reckitt Avenue and those proposals have now been dropped. Mrs Barley, whose petition calling for the gates to stay closed was signed by almost 2,000 people, said opposition to the plans would not go away. She added they accepted the park needed to be accessible for disabled people but did not see why the rest
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