THE Walton Street barrier, set to be removed in the middle of next month after a council decision, has been in place since the summer of 2019.

Since then there has been a hotly-contested debate over the barrier and what should replace it.

Below is a timeline of barrier's installation and what has followed.

Summer 2019

Walton Street is closed off at the junction with Beaumont Street and Worcester Street because of resurfacing works.

After traffic flows were found to have improved as a result of the closure, the council decided to keep it closed under an experimental road traffic order (ETRO) which can last 18 months.

Some were worried that traffic had just shifted to other roads.

Winter 2019

The barrier is decorated by a group called Don't Joke Jericho which wants to keep it. A rival group, Jericho Connections, is set up and petitions to reopen the road.

Summer 2020

The council consults on the plans, and then decided to defer a decision on whether the barrier should be removed so it can gather even more views from local residents about it.

A petition against it grows, as does one in favour.

At the same time proposals for a Jericho Low Traffic Neighbourhood are created.

Early 2021

Consultation on the plans for an LTN in Jericho and Walton Manor is carried out, with opinions gathered on where 'filters' should go.

April 2021

After consultation results are tallied, and council staff members recommend the barrier is removed and an LTN does not go ahead.