Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Residents baffled by stretch of 60 bollards put up outside primary school

Birmingham locals are outraged with their city council after they erected bollards that they claim is a waste of money

Mustafa Javid Qadri
Thursday 05 January 2023 04:15 EST
Comments
Sixty bollards installed outside Birmingham primary school in 'barmy' traffic-calming measure

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A council has been criticised for the 'barmy' decision to install a bizarre stretch of 60 bollards outside a primary school.

Birmingham locals have been left scratching their heads after the huge number of posts were erected along the A38 Bristol Road between Longbridge and Northfield.

Residents claim the traffic calming measures are an 'unnecessary eyesore' and could actually prove more dangerous for cyclists, pedestrians and other road users.

Residents have complained about bollards on a pavement in Birmingham used to stop parking near to the school
Residents have complained about bollards on a pavement in Birmingham used to stop parking near to the school (SWNS)

They appeared outside Meadows Primary School, which caters for around 700 children, around 18 months ago.

But after a video of the sprawling 50 metre - 164ft - stretch was shared on social media this week, many locals began branding it a complete waste of taxpayers' cash.

And neighbours living nearby have also revealed how they were left just as confused by the decision to install three rows of 60 bollards - instead of just a fence.

Mum-of-one, Jessica Grant, 38, who lives nearby, said: "They popped up out of nowhere about 18 months ago and everyone was just a bit baffled.

“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.”

One passer by appeared confused by the bollards
One passer by appeared confused by the bollards (SWNS)

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.”

Earlier, the World Bollard Association tweeted an image of some bollards outside a shop in Asia with the caption: “There's no such thing as too many bollards.”

One web user replied with footage of the Birmingham stretch and wrote: “The A38 between Longbridge & Northfield (Birmingham) would seem to agree.”

Residents have called the bollards ‘weird’ and ‘an unnecessary eyesore’
Residents have called the bollards ‘weird’ and ‘an unnecessary eyesore’ (SWNS)

One person commented: “Trees would serve same purpose and you know, look good while doing it.”

Another added: “Ah, yet another local authority resorting to this ridiculous solution to much bigger infrastructure problems.”

A third put: “For the love of god, and all that's holy. why?”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in