Further planters replacing bollards in High Street

At a virtual meeting on Thursday 12 November 2020 of local North Berwick stakeholders, including representatives from the town’s Community Council, Business Association, North Berwick Coastal Area Partnership, cycling groups and ward councillors, a review of current temporary measures to improve active travel was discussed.

It was agreed that the bollards currently sited on North Berwick High Street will be replaced with a number of planters as a temporary measure pending the implementation of the previously agreed charrette scheme for the town which includes a trial of widened pavements.

Environment spokesperson, Cllr Norman Hampshire, said: “Unfortunately the bollards have been subjected to continued vandalism and the maintenance burden of continually replacing damaged bollards is unsustainable. Replacing these with further planters is a temporary measure and supports future aspirations for the town centre.”

“The North Berwick charrette scheme has been developed in partnership with local representatives over the last few years, but its implementation was put on hold earlier this year due to the need to quickly implement Spaces for People measures across the county in response to the pandemic.”

“The Spaces for People scheme on the High Street has been widely welcomed by local businesses and community groups who appreciate the extra space. However, its temporary nature meant that the bollards were easy to remove, and we were continually having to replace them.”

The new planters will be installed later this month and it is hoped the measures identified in the charrette scheme will be introduced early in 2021 for a 12 month trial.

Published: Friday, 20th November 2020