Residents and campaign groups are campaigning against the installation of ‘glorified advertising boards’ in York.
YorkMix reported last month that five digital advertising screens are planned for the city centre.
JCDecaux want to install two ‘communication hubs’ installed in Parliament Street along with ones in St Sampson’s Square, Davygate and in Piccadilly.
They would offer free wi-fi, phone charging facilities, touchscreen maps and defibrillators.
The hubs feature an 86in (218cm) screen to display adverts on one side with features including a 32in (81cm) touchscreen and public phone on the other.
But objections have been lodged to the plans.
One resident simply says: “They will detract from the historic character of York, cause unnecessary obstructions, be a hazard for disabled people, and require large amounts of electricity to run.”
Another York resident says the hubs are another sign of the commercialisation of the city centre.
They write: “York is a special city, renowned for its rich history and distinct aesthetic. The installation of these modern JCDecaux Hubs, with their LCD screens, will detract from the historic character of York.
“These hubs will each detract from the use of the areas for markets, which are a vital part of York’s cultural and economic life.
“It is particularly concerning that these installations are being considered at a time when seating has been removed and main public spaces have been sold off to the private sector.
“These are public spaces, and they should remain accessible and functional for community use, not cluttered with commercial installations.”
The York Disability Rights Forum is also opposed. Its objection states: “These hubs will add more clutter to the city centre which will make navigation more difficult for disabled people.
“They will be another obstruction for wheelchair users, the visually impaired and other people with physical impairments to navigate. The screens will be distressing for people with sensory disabilities.
“The ‘benefits’ of the hub which as supposed to smooth over the fact it is just a glorified advertising board are also not accessible.
“The touch screen is placed too high up for wheelchair users and will be unusable by people with a visual impairment.”
And York city archaeologist Claire MacRae also has concerns. “Conservation will respond more fully but clearly the size, appearance and number of proposed hubs within the Central Conservation Area needs careful consideration.
“In addition to the impacts on the conservation area they add to street clutter, which is supposed to be reducing, and will have a negative impact on the setting of many listed buildings and scheduled monuments.”
You can read and comment on the communication hubs at the City of York Council planning portal.