Irresponsible drivers force bollards move for March Broad Street

Irresponsible drivers parking inconsiderately on pavements in March town centre have led to a decision to install bollards.

Forty-two bollards are to be installed through Broad Street to stop vehicles being parked on the newly completed pedestrianised area and pavements.

Cllr Jan French said people had raised concerns about the poor parking potentially damaging the pedestrianised area and pavements which have just been laid as part of the town centre regeneration scheme.

As a result, the decision had been made to install bollards to stop it from happening.

She told last night’s town council meeting that it was something the authorities had hoped to avoid, but the drivers parking on the pavements had made it necessary.

Cllr French said the bollards have been ordered and will be installed shortly.

Cllr Gary Christy, who had attended a liaison meeting with police said that now the bus stops had been properly finished in Broad Street officers would be ticketing those parking illegally.

Cllr Martin Field questioned whether it would be possible to introduce a bye-law to make it illegal to park on the town’s pavements.

But he was advised it was not something that could be done locally even though it had happened in London.

Meanwhile, Cllr French said there continued to be a few “tweaks” and finishing off of the regeneration scheme.

She also said the siting of the new toilets, which are due to be built by the river, has been moved slightly nearer to Broad Street to protect a tree.

Work would also begin shortly on the area outside Iceland to tidy it and make it brighter.

Cllr French added that businesses that applied for grants to improve their shop fronts would learn early next year if they had been successful and how much they would be receiving.

Cash for the grants will come from money left over from the town centre regeneration project.