BOLLARDS in Bridge Street, in Newport city centre, are to be raised on Friday and Saturday nights in a bid to protect pedestrians.

Officers at Newport council are asking for people’s views on the scheme, which is to run for a pilot period of six months.

During the day, vehicle access to the city centre is limited except for access to premises – and automatic bollards are raised from 11am to 5pm.

But, outside these hours, the area’s traffic management orders are not enforced.

There has increasing concern about anti-social behaviour and traffic in the Cambrian Road area of the city centre.

To tackle these concerns, the authority says it is to raise the bollards in Bridge Street on Friday and Saturday, from 9pm to 5am.

Only legitimate access will be allowed during this period via intercom requests.

The bollards are constantly monitored by CCTV officers and, in the event of an emergency, can be lowered.

Newport City Council has asked residents and businesses in the area to submit their views during the pilot to the council’s Streetscene department.

Newport city centre is currently undergoing a major regeneration, along with the continuing work on the new Admiral building opposite Newport railway station.

Meanwhile, Queensberry Real Estate is pushing ahead with its redevelopment of John Frost Square.

The Friars Walk shopping and leisure complex has been funded by a £90 million loan from Newport City Council.

l Your feedback on the bollard pilot scheme can be sent to streetscene@newport.gov.uk