Removing bollards would cut pollution

YOU reported recently that Newcastle council is planning to finally get rid of the ridiculous bollards on Gosforth High Street.

The article quoted Lib Dem councillor, Phil Hall, saying Gosforth residents “don’t understand” the bollard system, which cut the road down from four lanes of traffic to two in order to give more social distancing space to pedestrians and cyclists during the pandemic.

He then aimed a puerile critique at Tory activist Doc Anand, who has been campaigning for some time to have these bollards removed.

I think most residents in Gosforth are more than aware why the bollards were installed. Frankly, reducing this very busy road from four lanes to two was absolutely stupid. It offered next to no protection from Covid, but increased congestion and pollution from cars. Anyway all Covid restrictions have been dropped for some time now.

The cyclist argument is unconvincing too, as very few cyclists ride through the high street and most of the ones I see don’t use the cycle lanes anyway, but use the road instead, further exacerbating the congestion.

Every morning and evening rush hour the high street is gridlocked with cars billowing out poisonous fumes being breathed in by the many children walking to and from the four schools in Gosforth.

This is scandalous, so taking cheap shots at Doc Anand for his colourful campaigning was a tad hypocritical given the Lib Dems are supposed to be champions of reducing pollution.

Well, we could do that very markedly by removing the pointless bollards on the high street. Sooner rather than later.