A pressing issue has arisen in Kettering's town centre, where broken bollards have become a safety concern for residents and pedestrians. The town's heart, once a peaceful pedestrian zone, is now under threat from motorists, and urgent action is needed to restore order.
Local councillor Dez Dell has raised the alarm, expressing his worry over the increasing number of drivers disregarding the town centre's pedestrianised streets. The area, covered by a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), was once protected by rising bollards, preventing vehicles from entering Lower Street, Gold Street, High Street, Meadow Road, and one-way Market Street.
However, persistent vandalism has left the bollards broken for months, allowing cars to re-enter the zone. Councillor Dell highlights the dangers, stating, "I've personally witnessed dangerous driving and near misses. Our town centre should be a safe haven for pedestrians, not a race track for cars."
The situation took a turn last week when North Northants Council (NNC) contractors assessed the bollards, only to find them malfunctioning the very next day. Cars were seen driving into the pedestrianised area during school hours, endangering children walking home.
Resident David Rose, who witnessed the chaos, said, "It's a joke. The area should be safe for everyone."
The automatic bollards, installed in 2015 at a cost of £250,000, are now in need of urgent repair. NNC has acknowledged the issue, stating that civil enforcement officers regularly patrol the area to monitor compliance with TROs. They issue penalty charge notices (PCNs) for detected contraventions, with 14 PCNs issued to motorists since summer 2025, each carrying a £70 fine, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
NNC has promised to continue engaging with motorists and utilising their powers to address the issue. But here's where it gets controversial: with increased patrols since last summer, why are these contraventions still occurring? And this is the part most people miss: the TRO restricts vehicle movement, but with exceptions in place, are these exceptions being abused?
The broken bollards have been assessed for repairs, but will the remedial works be enough to deter motorists? Only time will tell. In the meantime, the safety of Kettering's residents and pedestrians hangs in the balance.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think the current measures are enough to deter drivers from entering the pedestrian zone? Share your opinions in the comments below!
