Bollards to be installed next to busy Bridge Street crossing in Peterborough to improve pedestrian safety

Bollards will be installed next to the crossing and just in front of the former Woolworths and TK Maxx building in a bid to improve pedestrian safety.

A project is ongoing to install bollards to prevent unauthorised vehicle access to Cathedral Square from three key routes, Bridge Street, Long Causeway and Church Street.

The barriers will be retractable to allow authorised vehicles to pass but then returned up to traffic from gaining access to the area for any other reason.

Bollards such as these are being installed in many European cities after various tragic incidents where cars were driven into crowds of people.

Cllr Angus Ellis, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We are currently carrying out improvement works on the access routes to Cathedral Square, Bridge Street and Church Street. This will see bollards placed at strategic locations preventing unauthorised vehicle access to Cathedral Square.

“The bollards will help enhance pedestrian accessibility and safety and will be accompanied by a revised traffic regulation order that continues to prevent access to non-authorised vehicles and limit delivery and goods vehicles to specific times; exemptions will be applicable to specified vehicles.

“The first site to be delivered will be Long Causeway with works currently under way. Unfortunately, we have encountered a small delay at the Long Causeway site due to the discovery of unusually shallow utilities. We have been working closely with the necessary parties and are extremely close to agreeing a solution that all stakeholders are happy with. During the delays we have been able to divert the workforce and commence works at the other sites included in the project to help minimise prolonged disruption in the city centre.”