Councillors angry over bollards in Fairford (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Councillors angry over bollards in Fairford

A ROW has broken out over bollards installed as part of a town centre makeover in Fairford.

The square oak bollards have been erected along a new pavement, which runs from the Bull Hotel alleyway to the post office.

Town councillors are angry because the bollards were not agreed by them and did not feature on plans drawn up in 1999, which were also approved by residents.

But highway bosses at Gloucestershire County Council, which carried out the work last month, said they were needed to prevent vehicles from mounting the pavement.

They originally thought that the kerb would be high enough to prevent vehicles driving onto the path.

But drainage problems meant it could only be raised by three-inches, meaning cars could easily drive onto the pavement, so the path was widened slightly and the bollards installed.

While councillors accept the need for them, they are angry that they were not consulted.

They say the oak style does not fit in with the streetscape.

Mayor Quentin Tailford said: "We don't understand why they didn't speak to us before they went ahead and did it.

"Also, they do not work because they are spaced too far apart and vehicles can park between the gaps."

At an extraordinary council meeting last week, councillors decided to call on the county to replace them with cast iron bollards installed closer together.

Town councillors were due to meet with council bosses on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

The £32,000 town centre plans did specify that bollards would be installed in London Road.

Councillors have now asked that cast iron ones be installed only on the Palmer Hall side on the road.