Brakes on traffic

HAVING to step aside to make way for an impatient motorist is an experience many people walking through Newark Market Place will have gone through. We do so, of course, and are then left wondering why that vehicle is in the Market Place at all.

If the driver doesn’t have the correct permit, such as a blue badge, or is not loading or unloading at the permitted times, they should not be there.

Sadly, but inevitably in what seems to be becoming an increasingly selfish society, some see fit to ignore the restrictions.

They are in the wrong, but then compound that fact by assuming pedestrians and shoppers going about their business should immediately clear out of their way so they can take their short-cut, or visit the bank they clearly believe is too long a walk from any available parking area.

On market days there can be more than 100 illegal vehicle movements through the Market Place. That’s a very significant number of traffic regulation violations.

Now it seems something is finally to be done about it.

Nottinghamshire county and Newark and Sherwood district councils have come up with a plan for a one-way system through the Market Place.

Pop-up bollards, controlled by CCTV operators, will ensure legitimate access is allowed.

The plan is to improve the viability of the Market Place and create a more attractive shopping environment.

Let’s hope it works, and shoppers can stop having to dodge so much traffic.