Students next to the first of the railings to be installed by Kingston University
Days of sitting by the river supping a pint maybe numbered for students of Kingston University's Knights Park campus who are in "uproar" at the installation of ugly grey safety gates along their prized river wall.
Within days of mysterious drill holes appearing in the wall on March 10, 6ft high railings had been put up, which students say ruins the one attractive feature of the campus and the ambience of the riverside setting along the Hogsmill.
Hundreds of furious students have signed a petition and more than 200 students have joined three Facebook groups in protest.
Student representative Dickon Stone, 21, a second year live art undergraduate, said the plans are a farce and students are outraged at being treated like "imbeciles".
"All in all, we feel like we are being treated like children for not being consulted on the proposed development of a building we pay thousands of pounds to spend our days in and for being treated like idiots that might leap into four inch deep water at any moment," he said.
All in all, we feel like we are being treated like children."
Dickon Stone
Mr Stone said it was ridiculous that the university were spending money on the health and safety measure when there was an artisic community at the campus that could have been roped in to make any necessary safety device more "aesthetically pleasing" and give the students a "sense of ownership".
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Members of the Facebook group say they are contemplating removing the structure or filling in the remaining drill holes with concrete to prevent further building work.
Student Reuben Barker said: "If only the University realised how ruining their main social space will ultimately lead to a drop in student numbers and their bank balance."
A Kingston University spokeswoman said: "The University is currently reviewing the type of safety barrier erected at the Knights Park site.
"We welcome different viewpoints about aesthetics on campus and will take the points raised by the staff and students from the faculty of art, design and architecture into consideration."
Student Reuben Barker said: "If only the University realised how ruining their main social space will ultimately lead to a drop in student numbers and their bank balance."
It sounds like they don't have enough studies to do. Get your hair cut, get a life and get on with lessons. The fence is to keep you all off the streets.
Student Reuben Barker said: "If only the University realised how ruining their main social space will ultimately lead to a drop in student numbers and their bank balance."
It sounds like they don't have enough studies to do. Get your hair cut, get a life and get on with lessons. The fence is to keep you all off the streets.
[quote][bold]prabz[/bold] wrote:
Rather then stick a boring fench why not create a seating area which runs along the wall? [/quote] There is already a seating area: the 2ft high, raised concrete block that runs along the river, this is where students used to sit, now they're making it impossible by sticking a horrible fence right through the middle of it! :(
prabz wrote:
Rather then stick a boring fench why not create a seating area which runs along the wall?
There is already a seating area: the 2ft high, raised concrete block that runs along the river, this is where students used to sit, now they're making it impossible by sticking a horrible fence right through the middle of it! :(
Yea i know which seating area your on about me and my class mates sit there. However if they are making a big hoo haaa about safety issues then why not fit a back rest on the raised concrete blocks which also act as a suttle safety feature. It doesnt need to me so high and it won't effect the asthetics of the area to such a degree.
Yea i know which seating area your on about me and my class mates sit there. However if they are making a big hoo haaa about safety issues then why not fit a back rest on the raised concrete blocks which also act as a suttle safety feature. It doesnt need to me so high and it won't effect the asthetics of the area to such a degree.
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