Plans for rising bollards in Wick town centre to stop illegal use of ‘whizz-through thoroughfare’

Automatic bollards are being planned to help solve the problem of motorists using the pedestrian precinct in Wick illegally.

Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner said the system would allow legitimate users to access the street while stopping others using it as a “whizz-through thoroughfare”.

Vehicle access is required to the pedestrian precinct in the town for business deliveries, as well as disabled drivers and less able users of the street, in addition to emergency access.

Cllr Bremner, who represents the Wick and East Caithness ward, explained some of the plans under consideration.

“The installation of bollards at the entrance and exit of the pedestrian precinct will restrict through traffic during the day to delivery and for vehicles needing legitimate access,” he said.

“Details for the access system are yet to be confirmed and information related to the project will be given to shopkeepers and premises owners. It will be advertised in the public domain for all users of the precinct area to be made aware of.

“The restriction of traffic was a key theme highlighted by members of the public to increase the safety of pedestrians, to support the necessary access required by disabled and less able precinct area users and to allow delivery access and reduce the area as a thoroughfare shortcut.”

He told the February meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council that it was part of a “Wick street project” that is in the process of being delivered and will include special bollards that will rise and fall to allow access.

“There’s a lot more information, including the design element, the positioning of the bollards and how you get access during the day as opposed to getting access at night – when you will drive up to the bollards and they will simply lower without anyone having to authorise them.

“The next set will also automatically lower and it will stop people using it as a whizz-through thoroughfare.”

Concerns have been raised over many years of drivers using the shortcut through Wick town centre despite a warning from a sheriff that the route is not legal.

Drivers are rarely prosecuted, but in May 2021 a Castletown man was fined £65 at Wick Sheriff Court for failing to comply with the restriction.

Sheriff Andrew Berry said in court at the time: “It is a route that I have seen many, many local people take” but added that people using it should take note that it is “not a legal shortcut”.

In July that year, Cllr Bremner said that the problem had “caused pedestrians concern for some time” but drivers continued to use the shortcut despite warnings. “I have seen the number of vehicles that do this from the windows of Caithness House [Highland Council office] and whilst having a coffee in one of the local cafés.”

As highlighted in a report from that same year, 15 vehicles were observed using the shortcut over a 30-minute period. Three drivers were identified as either disabled and parking up or using the route to pick up or drop off goods – which the restrictions allow for.

However, 12 vehicles, including a motorhome, drove straight through from the Camps area to link up with Bridge Street and High Street, despite the signs making it clear there should be no motor vehicles except for loading and disabled access.

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