Drinkers' safety paramount, say police over road closure
A SENIOR police officer says a road closure that is harming a bakery's business is needed to stop drinkers being hit by cars.
Chief Inspector Steve Pont said shutting the Strand from midnight to 5am on Saturdays and Sundays would "help prevent collisions and injuries".
The road feeds into the bar area of the Wardwick around what Ch Insp Pont called "a tight corner with a restricted view".
But Victoria and Tony Jacobs say their Strand-based bakery, Baked, is losing business because they cannot park outside at these times.
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Mrs Jacobs used to start preparing food at 4.30am on Saturdays, the shop's busiest day, but now has to start later as she feels unsafe walking through the city in the dark.
This means she cannot prepare as much food in time for when the store opens.
Her husband starts at 3am each day and now has to haul the firm's laundry from Friar Gate. Mrs Jacobs said they would not be able to get to the store quickly if an alarm sounded.
She said: "At 3am, there's no-one on the streets so I don't understand why the police think it's necessary.
"If people are going into the road and causing an obstruction, the police should do something about it."
David Gartside, head of traffic and transportation at the city council, wrote to Strand firms saying the authority was making the "experimental" closures on advice from the police.
Ch Insp Pont said vehicles often came around the corner of the Strand into the path of pedestrians crossing over.
He said: "Fortunately, no-one has been hurt but there have been near misses and we hope the move will help prevent any injuries.
"A consultation was carried out by the police and the council with businesses on the Strand before the restrictions were brought in and alternative arrangements set up to allow access close to premises for loading and unloading.
"The aim is to balance the needs of businesses and these safety concerns.
"We're sorry for any inconvenience and welcome all feedback on the trial closures. "The restriction is under review and we'd encourage local businesses who feel they're affected to contact us."
Ch Insp Pont said early responses to the closure had been positive and that it was making the area safer.
9 Comments
by NeilT60
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 12:52PM
“Something wrong with the priorities here, when a couple who get up in the middle of the night in order to make a living from their business are inconvenienced so that drunks (who've probably never done a day's hard work in their lives) can stagger around the streets in safety.”
by janine2011
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 12:20PM
“If I was a business owner on that stretch I would be demanding a cut in my business rates due to loss of business and wait to see the reaction of the council then. If drinkers are stupid enough to walk in front of cars then they should be locked up in the cells until sober or stay home and drink in their own home.”
by KevTheGerbil
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 11:28AM
“Remember those days when the police used to lock drunks up? When they prosecuted landlords for serving drunks? When public drunkenness was frowned upon and socially unacceptable? It seems that the purveyors of alcohol have now got the police in their pockets, bought and paid for. Drunkenness has now become too big a business to restrict.”
by Kettle55
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 11:04AM
“It's called a knee-jerk reaction. One near miss; shut the streets of Derby down. Why not bring in prohibition then they could turn a blind eye to illegal drinking and then say there is no need to ban traffic because nobody is worse the wear from drink so no likely accidents.”
by Monsieur_Lupo
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 10:01AM
“Surely a more logical cause of action would be to fine those establishments that continue to serve those that are 'incapable'. I belive this is still an offence. That way there would be less people in the area incapable of crossing the road with being supervised!
Talk about the tail wagging the dog!!!”
by andrewc25
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 9:34AM
“If the traffic is such a risk why are they not closing Victoria St, the Wardwick, Friar Gate and Iron Gate, these are all significantly busier with drinkers at the weekend. Also, why close from midnight, surely it's busier from 8-12 than 12-5am?”
by mark_sinfin
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 9:31AM
“you could give permits surely for the likes of this guy”
by Poika
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 9:13AM
“Ooh, does that mean we can close all the roads in town where people are daft enough to try and cross? Imagine not having to look out for buses or cars while wandering around town on a Saturday afternoon. Oh, but there's a problem - no cars means no people, no one parking and no one shopping either. We really need to stop nannying idiots and make them responsible for their actions. It's time for grown-ups to behave like grown-ups.”
by Fasty
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 8:58AM
“You couldn't make it up”