The decision to place planters in front of the entrance to a busy train station was described by a city councillor as “absolute madness”.

Network Rail has apologised after large wooden-effect planters were placed next to a pedestrian crossing on the way to Manchester Piccadilly station.

The company said the devices were installed as part of plans to increase security at the station, but in the wrong place.

Their positioning has been criticized as “problematic” for people with limited mobility or visual impairment.

Stockport councillor Matt Wynne said the “intrusive” planters were in one of the busiest pedestrianised locations in Greater Manchester.

Publication on X, He said it was “absolute madness.”

One commuter, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I think this has been completely exaggerated.”

“It seems as if no one is taking into consideration people with disabilities or vision problems.

“I don’t think they consulted anyone about the design standards or met with disability groups.

“It’s like saying, ‘Here we go, job done, on to the next point.'”

Network Rail said the planters had been “not placed in the right place” and promised to relocate them.

A spokesman for the railway operator said: “Although safety aspects and other factors such as accessibility must always be considered, in this case the planters were not placed in the right place according to our plans.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused to those who have entered the station in the meantime.”

Current statistics show that in the year up to last March, 23.6 million passengers boarded and alighted at Piccadilly.

Outside London, only Leeds (24 million) and Birmingham New Street (30.7 million) had busier traffic than Greater Manchester’s largest station.