Council is slammed for ‘baffling’ decision to install 60 ‘eyesore’ bollards outside a primary school which locals compare to Winter Olympics slalom posts and Germany’s WW2 defensive line

• A council installed 60 bollards in a dense formation outside of a school
• Residents in Birmingham said that the poles are an ‘unnecessary eyesore’
• The bollards sprawl a 50 metre stretch in the Northfield area of the city

A council has been slammed for their ‘barmy’ decision to install a dozens of bollards in a bizarre layout outside a primary school.

Birmingham residents have been left scratching their heads after the 60 posts were erected along the A38 Bristol Road between Longbridge and Northfield.

Upon seeing bollards some compared it to a WWII German defensive line, others to a slalom skiing course – while some said that trees could have done the same job.

Locals claim the traffic calming measures are an ‘unnecessary eyesore’ and could actually prove more dangerous for cyclists, pedestrians and other road users.

They appeared outside Meadows Primary School, which caters for around 700 children, around 18 months ago.

But after a video of the sprawling 50 metre (164ft) stretch was shared on social media this week, many locals began branding it a complete waste of taxpayers’ cash.

Residents have complained about bollards on a pavement in Birmingham used to stop parking near to the school

About 18 months ago 60 bollards were installed as a traffic calming measure outside Meadows Primary School

Neighbours living nearby have also revealed how they were left just as confused by the decision to install three rows of 60 bollards – instead of just a fence.

Mother-of-one Jessica Grant, 38, who lives nearby, said: ‘They popped up out of nowhere about 18 months ago and everyone was just a bit baffled.

‘We’re all for traffic safety around a primary school but this just looks like a weird slalom of posts more suited to the Winter Olympics.

‘A simple fence or some barriers along the side of the road would have done the job but this is surely more expensive.

‘It’s an absolute eyesore too and if anything could prove more dangerous for cyclists or pedestrians trying to navigate it.

‘Delivery drivers have also been unable to park up and I hear parents have had difficulties too.

‘I’ve never seen anything like it anywhere else to be honest.’

A mother who lives near to the bollards said they are like ‘a weird slalom of posts more suited to the Winter Olympics’

Residents claim the traffic calming measures are an ‘unnecessary eyesore’ and could actually prove more dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians

Another local, who did not wish to be named, added: ‘Serious questions have to be asked of the council. It’s barmy. Who on earth thought this was a good idea?

‘We have had problems with parking near the school but this is an unnecessary eyesore and complete overkill by the council.

‘The first row nearest the road I sort of understand but the rest of them are just weird.’

Earlier, the World Bollard Association tweeted an image of some bollards outside a shop in Asia with the caption: ‘There’s no such thing as too many bollards’

One web user replied with footage of the Birmingham stretch and wrote: ‘The A38 between Longbridge & Northfield (Birmingham) would seem to agree.’

One person commented: ‘Trees would serve same purpose and you know, look good while doing it.’

Another added: ‘Ah, yet another local authority resorting to this ridiculous solution to much bigger infrastructure problems.’

A third put: ‘For the love of god, and all that’s holy. why?’

Birmingham Council has been contacted for a comment.

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