VILLAGERS say they succeeded in establishing a public right of way across a college campus - only for it to remain blocked.

Local residents say they want to use a footpath across Askham Bryan College land to get to the A64 so they can catch a bus.

But they said that despite City of York Council making a modification order to add the path to a ‘definitive map,’ it still couldn’t be accessed because of animals in a field associated with the college’s miniature zoo - such as meerkats and pigs - and a locked gate.

Shirley Smith, who lived until recently in Askham Fields Lane, said she and another resident,Audrey Hollas, had been working on the issue with the help of York Outer MP Julian Sturdy, the council, villagers and the Ramblers Association for some three years.

“We were delighted when eventually the council stated that this footway had been approved and would be on the modification map for the area,” she said.

“The college have been no help and it has been a long battle but now we feel that even the council are not helping our case.

“The public rights of way officer let us know that the finger posts have been put in place this week but what good is that when the college have the footway blocked off from villagers accessing down to the A64?

“How can you have a public right of way and it be blocked up so no one can use it?”

A council spokesman said an application for a modification order had been received in May 2014, and it went to committee last December and the order was confirmed and made operative in June.

He said the long process was not out of the ordinary, as there were investigations into the application’s validity -interviewing witnesses about how and when they had used it and searching historical records- and then a formal consultation.

Cllr Ian Gillies, executive member for planning, said:“We are aware that this right of way is obstructed. We are exploring the legal options we have, while being mindful that any action we take does not compromise the safety of the public or the zoo’s animals.”

A college spokeswoman said: “Ensuring that our college campus is safe for our students and our animals is our paramount concern and we are working closely with the city council to reach a satisfactory conclusion.”