High Street evening closure would ‘create safe space’ for night time economy

There have been renewed calls for rising bollards to be installed in the town centre to make High Street a safer place.

As reported a few days ago the issue has come to a head again following an incident in Wrexham town centre, after a collision on the junction of Abbott Street / High Street. Speaking to both police and councillors in recent weeks such incidents were foreseeable, thankfully the predicted serious injury or pedestrian collision did not occur.

At the time Wrexham town Inspector Hughes said: “I genuinely feel that we are at a point now that the centre out town, certainly High street, Town Hill and Abbott street need to be off limits to all vehicles in the evening, the risk is too great and I can recall quite a few incidents in recent month that could have resulted in serious injury.”

It appears there is now a renewed desire all round to take practical steps to resolve the issue.

Alex Jones, owner of the Bank Wine Bar on High Street, said: “Nightsafe has been asking for the closure of High Street and Town Hill/Abbot Street for several years.

“The closure would not just create a safe space for the people engaging in the night time economy but also an opportunity to create outdoor seating areas like many other cities.

“Recently we have seen an increase in traffic, many of whom as just taking in the sights, We understand that taxis, and emergency vehicle access will be required and maybe we could look at a ANPR raise and fall bollard system.

“Nightsafe will offer any feedback to Wrexham Council to help make an informative decision.”

Cllr Paul Roberts, Lead Member for Partnerships and Community Safety, said, “This has been raised with me by Inspector Hughes.

“I will be arranging a further meeting with the police along with the Chief Officer for Environment and Technical and local members Cllr Marc Jones and Cllr Phil Wynn to progress actions to address his concerns and see how road safety in the area can be improved.”

The discussion over rising bollards has been something that has risen, and then fallen off the agenda locally over the last decade.

Back in 2020 we reported how the issue had been raised more recently, with a view to making High Street a flexible space that could be closed for outdoor use during the peak pandemic period – with bollards, or signage mentioned – along with legal work that could be revived to allow the ‘safe space’ to be created.