AN ESTATE agent in York city centre says the pavement outside his business has become an accident hazard, after city officials removed a safety barrier.

Peter Docwra, owner of Ashtons estate agents, just outside Bootham Bar, said the problems started several months ago when City of York Council removed barriers alongside the kerb.

Mr Docwra said pedestrians crossing a paved area towards the estate agency kept failing to see the kerb and tripped over it.

He said staff had now “almost run out of tissues” after rushing to the aid of bleeding victims of the kerb.

“It been happening as often as once a day, and we’ve nearly run out of tissues helping people who have cut themselves,” he said.

“We’ve had to ring for an ambulance on several occasions, and last Thursday morning, we had to call yet another ambulance after an elderly lady tripped and fell flat on her face, and there was blood everywhere.”

He said he understood the barrier was removed by the council as part of a project to “de-clutter” the area, which he felt was a good idea, However, he believed something should be done to prevent anyone else tripping – for example ramping the side of the kerb or highlighting it to make it more clear that it was there.

He said he contacted The Press about the problem after repeatedly contacting the council and finding that nothing was being done.

Alistair Briggs, the council’s traffic network manager, said: “We would like to meet the estate agent, as well as monitor and visit the area to fully understand the problem and see what solutions might improve safety.”