PROTECTION

Terror bollards set to be installed

A controversial project to install anti-terror bollards across Canterbury city centre is likely to start in as little as two months.

The council announced its £ 660,000 security plans earlier this year, with authority bosses proposing to block off 18 entrances to the city.

Councillors sitting on the joint transportation board will tonight (Thursday) be presented with confidential location maps detailing exactly where the 110 bollards are likely to go.

Previously branded “over the top” by Kent terror expert Dr Frank Furedi, the bolstering of Canterbury’s security is aimed to prevent a hostile vehicle being used as a weapon on pedestrian-filled streets.

The authority says the South East Counter Terrorism Unit has indicated that, in its opinion, Canterbury could be considered an attractive target to a potential attacker - recommending bollards to provide a “strong defence”.

A design for the bollards, which will be a minimum of 1.2 metres apart from each other, has been finalised.

The council has also secured a deal with a specialist contractor, with work anticipated to start on site in the late spring and last for about six months.

A report by Suzi Wakeham, director of community services at the city council, says there has been great consideration to city businesses.

It says: “Despite the threat, you cannot create a fortress. Sites need to remain approachable for residents, businesses and visitors, and most importantly still remain operational day-to-day. Security measures should blend in with the existing environment, conservation areas and listed buildings, which is very important in Canterbury.

“For areas with high pedestrian flow, bollards offer the best way of providing security with pedestrian permeability.

“Physical security equipment should be functional and unimposing. A ring of steel may not be an acceptable solution, but by utilising aesthetic sleeves and clever design the right balance of security and pleasing environment can be achieved.

“Being a historic city there have been a number of challenges to overcome in the design. The narrow streets, volume of pedestrians, archaeological importance and high density of underground utility apparatus have made positioning of the bollard arrays difficult.”

Councillors were not set to vote on anything at the meeting, but were instead expected to be made aware of the proposals.

Bollards like these at Euston station will be installed, and, right, the council’s community services director, Suzi Wakeham