A neighbour fears drivers speeding through gaps in the Victoria Embankment's barriers could 'flatten' someone unless something is done. Gary Brown, 60, who lives next to Trent Bridge, has said the drivers moving barriers and speeding through the closed Victoria Embankment are putting lives at risk.
Following a trial period and public consultation, the city council decided to progress with plans to permanently close Victoria Embankment to through traffic in 2021, aiming to make the park a "safer, more attractive environment" for people to enjoy. But Mr Brown, who has lived nearby for decades, has said the existing closure measures fail to discourage some motorists, who move the sign in-between the planters and speed through.
"You have cars driving straight through at 40 miles an hour in an area that is supposed to be safe and only for pedestrians and cyclists," Mr Brown said. "Members of the public, including myself, have had to keep putting the barriers back in place - the planters were only recently put in but there is still a massive gap that cars can shoot through if they just move the sign.
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"This is supposed to be a place where people can be active or relax and not have to worry about cars - but I have seen several near misses. It is very dangerous, especially now we've moving into the summer where more people will be around."
Nottingham City Council said it had left the route partially open to allow access for emergency services. It did however say it would be putting further signs in place to warn drivers.
But Mr Brown said council vehicles and the emergency services could drive around the obstacles, adding: "They announced the permanent closure of this two years ago, so why hasn't it been properly shut off yet. They have done part of it and stopped it being a rat run, but unless something is done to totally shut it off to drivers someone is going to get flattened - it would only take another planter."
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “We initially closed a section of Victoria Embankment in 2020 as part of a trial to encourage more people to walk and cycle through this area. A public consultation was held afterwards and around 1,500 people came forward to give their views – more than half in favour of it being made permanent.
“This road is now closed to through traffic and, while it has been left open to allow access for emergency service vehicles, drivers should find an alternative route. Traffic signs will be installed here shortly to reinforce this message.”
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