Shopkeepers frustrated by rule-breaking drivers

Michelle Rufenacht says nobody takes any notice of the signs at the top and bottom of the street

Business owners in a Derbyshire town say a pedestrianised shopping street is becoming "dangerous" because drivers are ignoring the rules of the road.

Vehicles are prohibited from Oxford Street in Ripley between the hours of 1000 and 1600, Monday to Saturday, but the town council has said drivers are continuing to "pose a danger to the public".

There are signs at both ends of the one-way street, but the bollards that previously prevented vehicle access were vandalised, so were removed by the county council.

Derbyshire County Council said it is awaiting the delivery of new bollards which are expected in "early April".

The county council had to remove the bollard system after it was vandalised

Michelle Rufenacht, 61, who owns card shop Special Days, said: "Nobody takes any notice of the signs at the top and bottom of the street.

"There are cars and vans coming up and down here all day long.

"I see customers shout abuse at the cars coming down the road but they don't take any notice."

Liz Hall, 33, who works in The Pet Shop said: "It would be nice to have a high street where you can walk up and down freely and not worry about a car coming down.

"Or somebody behind you 'pipping' when you're in the right and they are in the wrong.

"We need better bollards. I think if people think they can get through then they'll definitely be cheeky and get through."

Councillor Steve Freeborn said people have to jump out of the way of cars

Labour councillor Steve Freeborn, the leader of Ripley Town Council, said: "This is becoming a genuine danger to people who are coming here shopping.

"They just don't know if some idiot is going to try driving down the street and sometimes at some speed.

"It's just so wrong of people to behave so selfishly."

Steven Caulton, 33, lives in Ripley and is the manager of the Lighthouse charity shop.

He said: "We had a few cars hit the post at the bottom and get stuck, we've seen it outside the shop.

"We need either bigger barriers or more supportive barriers to stop people coming down."

Steven Caulton said drivers are ignoring signs and hitting posts outside his shop

A Derbyshire County Council spokesperson said the authority shared the local community's frustrations.

They said: "We looked into different systems that could withstand or limit the level of damage being repeatedly caused and have now ordered a new bollard system.

"We are awaiting delivery of these new bollards and equipment, which is scheduled for early April and our aim is to then install them as soon as possible.

"The bollards themselves are only a physical accompaniment to the existing Prohibition of Driving Traffic Regulation Order that is in place and can be readily enforced by the police in the meantime."

Sgt Jo-Anne Brooks from Derbyshire Police said: "Our officers and PCSOs have been carrying out patrols in the town centre and proactively policing the area in relation to parking issues on Oxford Street.

"A number of Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued and will continue to be, until the bollards are installed.

"We would like to remind the public to check and adhere to the parking restrictions that are in place."