Residents baffled after council erects 60 bollards outside school
Locals were left scratching their heads when the posts were erected in Birmingham.
Watch: Residents baffled by bizarre stretch of 60 bollards erected outside a primary school
A council has been heavily criticised after it installed 60 bollards outside a primary school.
Locals were left scratching their heads when the posts were erected along the A38 Bristol Road between Longbridge and Northfield in Birmingham.
Residents claim the traffic calming measures are an “unnecessary eyesore” and could actually prove more dangerous for cyclists, pedestrians and other road users.
But Birmingham City Council said the bollards, which stretch 50 metres, were installed after it received complaints from locals about dangerous parking outside Meadows Primary School.
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The bollards were put up around 18 months ago but a video of them was shared on social media this week, which led many locals to brand them a complete waste of taxpayers' money.
Mum-of-one Jessica Grant, 38, who lives nearby, said: "We're all for traffic safety around a primary school but this just looks like a weird slalom of posts more suited to the Winter Olympics.
"A simple fence or some barriers along the side of the road would have done the job but this is surely more expensive.
"It's an absolute eyesore too and if anything could prove more dangerous for cyclists or pedestrians trying to navigate it.
"Delivery drivers have also been unable to park up and I hear parents have had difficulties too.
"I've never seen anything like it anywhere else to be honest."
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Another local, who did not wish to be named, added: "Serious questions have to be asked of the council. It's barmy. Who on earth thought this was a good idea?
"We have had problems with parking near the school but this is an unnecessary eyesore and complete overkill by the council.
"The first row nearest the road I sort of understand but the rest of them are just weird."
Birmingham City Council has defended its decision to install the bollards.
A spokesperson said: "We receive regular complaints from residents about inconsiderate and dangerous parking outside the school.
“We are working with the school to help challenge this behaviour and encourage walking and cycling where appropriate, but unfortunately the number of bollards that have been installed demonstrates the scale of the problem.
“We will continue to encourage parents to consider other forms of transport and to consider others when dropping off children at school."
