THE Coppergate Riverside public inquiry is over - but only for the time being.

The inquiry into Land Securities' £60 million proposals to redevelop land between Clifford's Tower and Piccadilly was adjourned yesterday after running out of time.

It will resume on May 14, with participants hoping - but by no means certain - that it can be completed by the end of that month.

City of York Council still needs to call more witnesses, and numerous organisations and individuals intend to speak out against the controversial proposals.

It is not yet known where the second phase of the inquiry will be staged, with doubts over whether the Guildhall will be available as a venue.

The inquiry's longer duration will cost taxpayers extra money, mainly through fees for legal representatives.

Before the adjournment, inspector Anthony Bingham was told about problems caused by York's notorious rising bollard.

The bollard, designed to restrict traffic using Stonebow to get into York city centre, was the scene of a number of accidents after it was introduced last year.

Engineer John Hicks, the last witness to speak, was cross-examined on the bollards while giving evidence about the effect on traffic of the Riverside scheme.

It is proposed to have two rising bollards to limit traffic flow in and out of the development to delivery vehicles.

Castle Area Campaign member Dr Keith Davis told the inspector about the amount of signage and warning lights needed in Stonebow to warn people about the bollard.

He said they would be unfitting in an environmentally-sensitive area like Clifford's Tower.

Updated: 11:27 Saturday, February 09, 2002