Bollards have been installed along the footpath outside of the new Tesco Express shop in Middlestone Moor, after the local County Councillors had received complaints from local residents about vehicles parking along the footpath.
The funding for the installation of the bollards was provided by Councillors Pete Molloy and Liz Maddison from their respective Neighbourhood Budgets to improve safety for both pedestrians and drivers leaving the car park at the shops.
Cllr Molloy said, “Last year, I submitted a report into DCC to see if they would install either bollards or crash barriers on the footpath, because I have seen large vans parking on the footpath, blocking the view of the road and I had also been contacted by some residents, who expressed their safety concerns when walking along the footpath, but I was informed that locations that are subject to surface damage are afforded less priority to locations where parking is causing damage to underground pipes and cables, which is the first priority and I understand that.
“However, I felt there was an accident waiting to happen at this location, especially with all the new houses and people crossing the road, so I arranged for the footpath to be measured up for bollards, with the view of it being paid for from Member Neighbourhood Budget
“I had previously spoken with Cllr Liz Maddison, and I knew she had also been contacted by some residents on the same issues, so I asked her if she’d like to share the cost of the project from her Neighbourhood Budget, which she was more than happy to get involved in the project.”
The Councillors looked at the possibility of having a lay-by installed first, so not to disrupt passing trade too much, but due to the slight bend in the road, the installation of a lay-by would have still made it difficult for vehicles leaving the car park to clearly see oncoming traffic. This is why bollards were chosen.
Cllr Maddison added, “Both Pete and I had been working independently with Highways to make the area in front of the former One Stop Shop, now a Tesco Express, safe for pedestrians and car users as parked cars on the footpath continued to cause safety issues and blind spots.
“It made sense for us to work together to get this project off the ground quickly, to pool our Member funding to pay for the project, and ensure the work was completed as soon as possible before there was a serious accident.
“Staff at the former One Stop Shop informed me that all of their deliveries are made to the rear of the premises so this work should not hinder their commercial operations or place car parking restrictions for customers using the car park next to the shop.”
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
