Manchester Uni spent £11,000 on the fences around Fallowfield halls

The University of Manchester has confirmed they spent £11,000 on the fences put up around Fallowfield halls yesterday.

Yesterday afternoon, the university erected fences around first year accommodation as “new security measures” for the national lockdown, without informing students.

This led to student protests, which went ahead despite the university saying the fencing would be removed today. Last night hundreds of students gathered in protest and tore them down.

This morning, the university’s Vice Chancellor Nancy Rothwell said she does not know who “sanctioned” the fencing being put up, and said an immediate inquiry has been launched into the fencing. The results of this will be published “within two weeks”.

After the fencing was torn down last night, Nancy Rothwell said: “I sincerely apologise for the concern and distress caused by the erecting of a fence around our Fallowfield Halls of Residence today. This was not our intention – in fact quite the reverse.

“The fencing was intended as a response to a number of concerns received over recent weeks from staff and students on this site about safety and security; particularly about access by people who are not residents. There was never any intent to prevent students from entering or exiting the site.

“The fences are being taken down from Friday morning and students are being contacted immediately. Alternative security measures, including additional security patrols are being put in place.

“I apologise once again for the issues caused by this incident.”

Feature image via Felix Kwok, @felixcycat

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