Troublesome bollard labelled a 'car destroyer' (From Croydon Guardian)

Bell shaped bollard causing havoc for South Norwood motorists

11:00am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News By Andrew Bloss

It is only around 14 inches tall but this bell shaped bollard is causing havoc for motorists.

The bollard, labelled as a "car destroyer" by one resident, was installed last year for drivers using Station Road in South Norwood to prevent large vehicles from using the road.

It also prevents vehicles from getting too close to the Cherry Trees Pub, which is opposite the station entrance.

But according to South Norwood residents, instead of improving health and safety, the bollard has been nothing but trouble, with dozens of motorists crashing into it.

Many are calling on the Council to replace the bollard with something more visible, so drivers can see it more clearly, especially at night.

Richard Hough, who runs Autoclutch garage on Station Road, said the bollard has given him nothing but grief.

He said: "I said it should have never been put there, it was ridiculous. I said it would cause mayhem and all I was told was that it won’t and it is there for health and safety.

"I have been here for 40 years. We used to have buses park outside the station and they went over that piece of road for years and years.

"People who don’t spend any time here will think it is a good idea. But they don’t see the carnage that it leaves behind.

"A couple of weeks ago we spent an hour and 40 minutes getting this car off the bollard. It was a write-off. At the end of the day the bollard does nothing, it is a vehicle destroyer.

Ewa Plonka, 38, landlady at the Cherry Trees Pub, said the bollard needs to be more visible to drivers. She said at least ten people have crashed into it in the last month.

She said: "It was put in last year to protect our pub from lorries. Drivers basically don’t see it, even the police have crashed into it before.

"I hope the council do something about it. It needs to be more visible as the lighting around here is not great, the only light comes from our pub.

A council spokesman said: "Now this matter has been brought to our attention, the council will be looking at ways to change the bollard's design to increase visibility."