A CAR park in York has been branded a potential death trap after a motorist narrowly avoided serious injury when a barrier crashed down on his head.

Peter Hawkins, who works in York, was struck at full force by the barrier at The Shambles car park, in Peasholme Green, after he had collected a receipt from an attendant at the kiosk.

Mr Hawkins said he had turned on his heels and walked "a couple of steps" before landing face down as he was hit by the descending barrier.

He said he was surprised there were no sensors on the barriers aware of his presence.

He subsequently needed a brain scan after suffering days of dizziness and blinding headaches.

Labour councillor Paul Blanchard has now asked the authority to review safety procedures concerning barriers, claiming that the barrier was a "potential death trap" and could have killed an elderly person or a child.

Mr Hawkins, who lives in Rotherham but drives to work in York every day, said: "I had been in the car park but needed a receipt and the machine did not give me one.

"I drove out and had a word with the attendant who said he could hand-write a receipt, and motioned me to the kiosk.

"There was a car behind me, so I pulled outside and parked up and walked to the kiosk. His kiosk was just inside the barrier.

"He gave me the receipt, I turned round and walked a couple of steps and was flat on my back.

"It hurt a lot. I was aching and bruised. I was sent for a CT scan. I had blinding pain. I hadn't seen the barrier but it shouldn't have come down on me. I think I was really unfortunate."

The Shambles car park is the only council car park which operates a barrier. There are warning signs stating that the barrier can move without warning.

Coun Blanchard said: "I appreciate that accidents do happen, but it is the council's duty to ensure

that the chances of these are kept to an absolute minimum.

"This accident could have been avoided. Now that the council knows about this problem, nothing less than instant action will be acceptable. Next time, it could be fatal."

Russ Broadbent, the council's parking services manager, said: "The barrier has warning signs on it. On each floor of the car park there are signs telling pedestrians not to exit using the ramp.

"There are pedestrian areas for people to use to reach the kiosk. We believe these measures provide an adequate level of safety."

Updated: 10:41 Tuesday, September 02, 2003