A traffic island installed on a busy Nantwich street to make it safer, has been blamed for a series of accidents.
Now councillors are calling for the island, at the junction of Welsh Row and Queens Drive, to be removed – at the cost of £3,500.
The island (pictured) was built as part of measures to deter traffic using Welsh Row and encourage drivers to use Waterlode bypass when it was opened several years ago.
But Nantwich Town councillor Arthur Moran says the island has turned the junction into “Hellfire Corner” and wants it removed.
“It has been a problem for many years,” Cllr Moran said at a town council meeting last night (June 9).
“I was against it at the time, but it went ahead anyway.
“It really now is ‘hellfire corner’, people are driving over it, smashing into the bollards.
“The original steel posts had to be taken away as they were smashed down, the replacement plastic.
“I saw one elderly couple crash into it, and there have been a number of near misses and some road rage incidents, too.
“I have to negotiate it every time I come out of Queens Drive, and it is dangerous.
“It is now on the list for removal, but because the original scheme went out to public consultation, so this change will also have to go to consultation.
“We have budgeted £3,500, and we are looking to remove it by August.”
Traffic weight limits which were placed at each end of Welsh Row to prevent lorries using it after the Waterlode bypass opened, will remain in place, Cllr Moran added.
Town councillors agreed to support the scheme to remove the island.
I honestly cant understand why Welsh Row was/is not made one way with traffic flowing from the river weaver lights to Malbank school, thus making traffic stop using it as a short cut, and making it safer for pedestrians and generating business for the shops along welsh row
Great news that the bollards are going, they cause more problems than they solve. But I really can’t understand how it would cost £3500 to remove 2 metal posts and some pavement?!
I wonder if these bollards are legal! Any permanent obstacle placed on the highway creates a “Width Restriction”. There should be an Order in place, made in accordance with the Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations. These Regulations require full consultation with Police, Fire and Ambulance services, certain Freight Transport and Bus Companies etc and last, but not least, Us (Joe Public). I find it difficult to believe anyone worth their salt would have agreed to this stupid and dangerous traffic island.