More bollards to keep cars off station forecourt

Train operator Southern Railway is planning to install extra bollards along the landmark's forecourt.

These will stop drivers being able to sneak on to the area in spite of its pedestrian-only status.

The new bollards will form an extra barrier. They are due to be installed in the coming months provided Southern receives planning permission for their installation.

Town councillor Greg Burt, whose Hotham ward includes the station, said he was looking forward to the expected arrival of the bollards.

'They should stop the problem of motorists using the area to park in. It was intended to be a pedestrian piazza for people to enjoy and not a car park.

'That's all it is at the moment. I live in the town centre and I know how difficult parking can be.

'But it just looks awful to have cars parked all day and night on the station forecourt.'

He thought the owners of those left there in the daytime were owned by workers, while vehicles at night belonged to people out on social occasions.

There are usually between ten and 15 vehicles parked on the forecourt at a time. Last Friday 12 were left there.

The forecourt was created by British Rail in 1994. The nationalised train operator tore down a row of ugly shops along the station's frontage at the junction of Station Road and Longford Road.

The intention was to form an attractive entrance to the town for pedestrians which reflected the station's status as a grade two listed building.

Cllr Burt was one of those who gained the official recognition for the 1902 Edwardian building in the early 1990s when it was threatened with demolition.

But BR's proposals were flawed. The distance between the 23 bollards placed along the forecourt's frontage in between the three streetlights was wide enough to allow cars to be driven on to the area.

The situation has existed since the forecourt was completed in 1994 to the frustration of councillors. Southern Railway has recognised the problem and is acting to correct it.

A spokeswoman said it was hoped to install the bollards soon. She was unable to give a precise date because the scheme was still at the planning stage.

Cllr Birt said the ideal situation to the problem would be to dig up all the existing bollards.

But he believed that the cost of such extensive work would rule out that option.

The most likely course of action would be to install a new row of bollards behind the existing one.

'That will not be ideal but it will be a lot better than the existing situation,' he added.