Walk this way!
WORK to stop cars from driving on Wales’s longest high street for more than six hours each day has taken place.
It comes after community leaders in Bangor voiced concerns about the number of motorists driving around the city centre.
The new arrangement, which came into force on December 1 last year, means that vehicles are no longer allowed to enter Bangor High Street between 10am and 4.30pm.
New bollards have now been placed around the pedestrianised zone to stop drivers from entering the city centre during the restriction period.
Two years ago, the then-mayor of Bangor councillor Bryn Hughes voiced fears that a serious accident would happen on Bangor High Street unless steps were taken to make it safe.
Those calls were echoed by the High Street stake-holder steering group last year.
Gwynedd Council and North Wales Police have now moved to enforce the new rules.
Cllr Dafydd Meurig, the Gwynedd Council cabinet member who leads on transport matters, said: “I am pleased these common sense arrangements are now in place. Our aim in introducing the pedestrianised zone has been to encourage more residents to enjoy the vibrant and attractive space in the heart of Bangor city centre.
“The new arrangements mean that pedestrians can walk freely along Bangor’s main shopping destination, and in turn deliver a welcome boost for the High Street.”
Despite the restrictions, disabled drivers will be allowed to remain on the High Street until midday following a long running campaign by a protest group.
In the last two years the Give Us Back Our Access group, which is made up of a number of disabled drivers in Bangor, held a series of protests and demonstrations after the new access hours were unveiled.
According to disabled drivers, this was done without consulting them.
Last year, the council performed a U-turn on the plans and reversed the changes.