A COLLEGE is being allowed to keep a public footpath across its campus blocked for another six months - because of safety issues for walkers from animals in its zoo.

City of York Council has granted Askham Bryan College a temporary closure notice for land which the authority has declared is a public right of way.

Residents who say they want to use the footpath to get to the A64 so they can catch a bus say they are ‘gobsmacked’ by the decision.

The Press reported earlier this month how, despite the council making a modification order to add the path to a ‘definitive map,’ and putting up finger posts, the path 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 villagers had been working on the issue with the help of the Ramblers Association for some three years.

She said this week that the public right of way had been confirmed last December and the college given time to reopen the path. “Now can you believe they are given six months to put their act together? “ she said. “We are speechless but will fight it all the way.”

A council spokesman said it understood the frustrations of those who wanted the path re-opened, but sadly there was no ‘quick fix’ and the authority had to follow the right procedure.

“We are working closely with the college to resolve this issue to everyone’s satisfaction.”

He said a temporary closure notice had been applied for by the college for public safety reasons, in that if the currently obstructed footpath through the zoo site - obstructed by security gates and fencing in compliance with the zoo licence- was opened up, then there would be safety issues for people using the path.

“The temporary closure runs for six months, but may be extended for another six months if required,” he said.

“Whilst the temporary closure is in place, the college is looking further at its options, bearing in mind that if the path were opened, the college would be in breach of the zoo licence.”

Planning executive member Cllr Ian Gillies said enforcement action could be considered at some stage.

He said he hoped things would be resolved by next May, but consideration would be given to potential prosecution if no solution was forthcoming.

A college spokesman said: “We are aware of the time extension and are continuing to work with the city council.

“Our commitment is to ensure that our campus remains safe for our students and animals.”