Drivers ‘endangering’ shoppers by using city street as a cut-through
POLICE TAKE ACTION ON MOTORISTS CAUGHT IN PEDESTRIANISED ZONE
FINES are being dished out to motorists using a street in Nottingham city centre as a “cut-through” following the closure of Canal Street.
Canal Street was closed to all vehicles except buses and delivery vehicles earlier this year as work to pedestrianise the Broadmarsh area began.
Collin Street was also closed as part of the same work. This means motorists must now travel along the Southern Relief Route towards Queen’s Road to get around the city centre.
As a result, some vehicles have been seen cutting through Lister Gate via Castle Gate and Low Pavement, which is predominantly a pedestrian shopping street.
All motorists, except delivery vehicles, are prohibited in this area during the day.
Nottinghamshire Police has started patrols in the area to stop this by issuing fines, but this action has left business owners divided.
Sydney Walker-brown, who runs Peters Shoemakers and Restorers in Low Pavement, said: “They should not be able to come flying down here.
“They come very fast. We’ve been here a long time and there are that many children in prams coming down here.
“They have made it so after 10am you cannot come down here. But still it is really bad.”
Mary and Philip Trease, who run the wine merchant Weavers of Nottingham in Castle Gate, say more vehicles have been using the road as a cut-through following the closure of Canal Street.
However, they say police action and restrictions on vehicles in Caste Gate is affecting business, as well as their own travel into work.
Mr Trease said: “The police were here the other day. It is putting customers off click and collect from a business perspective.
“You can drive here before 10am. I do agree with the police because cars do come down here too fast.
“But the council should allow click and collect, allow 20 minutes of collection.
“It is a double-edged sword. “People are going out of town where parking is cheaper. That with the road layout change is the deathknell for the city centre.”
Pamela Alcorn, who works at Savills Estate Agents in Low Pavement, added: “We have trouble sometimes because we want people to come and collect keys for viewings during the day, but you cannot drive here.
“But, it is a problem when it has been busy and there are cars cutting through.
“It is the speed that they cut through at. It is wrong.”
Nottinghamshire Police says the enforcement comes because some motorists are endangering pedestrians.
Numerous complaints had been made on social media, with one Twitter user suggesting a motorist had been “bullying” pedestrians out of the way by revving their engine.
Responding to these concerns Councillor Sam Webster, portfolio holder for the city centre, described these actions as “annoying, dangerous and prohibited”.
Speaking of the enforcement Inspector Paul Gummer, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We were made aware of drivers cutting through Lister Gate in Nottingham city centre and took steps to address the issue.
“Enforcement activity took place on two days last week and a number of fixed penalty notices were handed out to those found to be contravening the traffic restrictions.
“In light of the new road configuration in the city centre it might be tempting to use this route as a cutthrough. However, this not only endangers pedestrians but it also will not save any time if you are stopped by the police and will cost you a fine. Further activity is planned in order to discourage anyone from doing this.”