Residents' joy as car park bollards installed

Lancashire County Council erected the concrete posts outside shops in Pope Lane, Kingsfold, Penwortham, after a petition from local residents and councillors.

They were spurred on after several crashes occurred in the area over recent years as motorists reversed from a parking area, over a footpath, into the main road.

In June 2014, an 80-year-old woman suffered a broken leg after being hit by a van on the junction of Pope Lane and Bishops Way, opposite the shops.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: “A serious incident occurred in 2014 when an elderly pedestrian was seriously injured as she was crossing Pope Lane to the rear of a van which was reversing from the forecourt.

“We have installed bollards on the pedestrian refuge to prevent vehicles from driving over it and reduce the risk of a similar incident in future.”

Kingsfold Councillor Keith Martin said he was pleased action had been taken and hoped drivers would understand the reason for the bollards, which have caused the loss of six parking spaces.

He said: “The petition was lead by Coun Jim Patten after a few local residents witnessed what happened with the old lady. There was also another accident shortly after as well.

“There’s six less spaces, but people can still park further along and reverse onto the road, just not over the pavement.

“With that you had to give it more revs and bump it over the kerb, and you can lose control a bit.

“I’ve not had any negative comments other than someone saying they’d driven past the shops and gone to Booths instead because they couldn’t park.

“But there is a much bigger car park behind those shops that is available.”

Coun Martin said he was also working with colleagues to see whether a bus stop outside the shops in Pope Lane could be relocated.

He said: “Buses are a lot bigger than they used to be and we’d like to see the stop moved.

“It seems there’s not a lot that can be done, but have asked South Ribble Council to look into options.”