SHOPPERS in Evesham are being put at risk due to drivers taking advantage of automatic traffic bollard faults, it has been claimed.
Vehicles including taxis are using Bridge Street as cut through to High Street because of a broken bollard system near the junction with Mill Street. Residents are also parking on the road overnight.
In addition, two electronic bollards which are out of action in Market Square and meant to stop traffic from Vine Street means that cars and vans can access the historic heart of the town centre, characterised by pubs, cafes and places to sit.
Both areas are designated as pedestrian zones and allow loading and deliveries to retail premises before 10.30am and after 4.30pm.
Gill Pawson from Evesham Civic Society, told the Observer she believes the bollards have been out of action for around two years and said the outstanding issue had health implications.
“Any traffic up a pedestrian street is a public health issue. Anyone walking there will not be expecting traffic. Something that has huge safety implications should be given priority. It gives the image that we can’t look after our town.”
She said she had raised concerns on behalf of the organisation with fellow society member Ian Stanton when the pair met with county highways officer Barry Barnes in July 2023. They were told that all was in hand and that the county council was waiting for new equipment.
A more recent inquiry has brought to light that the county council was struggling to find a supplier of a ‘more robust’ system to replace the current broken apparatus.
Mr Stanton added: “County highways needs a shake-up. It doesn’t take 12 months to get equipment sorted. If they have to put new bollards in, so be it. It’s so frustrating and just ridiculous. When they say they can’t get the right equipment – we can’t be the only street in the Midlands that has bollards. It’s a lot of nonsense.”
When asked to comment a spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council, said: “We recognise residents and businesses frustrations regarding the time taken to complete the work to replace the three bollards, this is due to their specialist nature. We have now employed a contractor to do this, which we hope will take place very soon.”
