Staggered Barriers on Soldiers Alley

We understand and appreciate the strength of local concern around the recent changes to Soldiers Alley. The Council’s objectives here are to create spaces that are safer, more accessible, and inclusive for everyone - including wheelchair users, people using mobility aids, families with buggies, and those on non-standard cycles.

Earlier in the year, as part of our efforts to improve accessibility, staggered barriers were removed and replaced with bollards. However, following this change, we received a high volume of reports and feedback from the public raising safety concerns about a rise in illegal vehicle use through the alley, including instances of mopeds travelling at high speeds and endangering pedestrians. In response to these concerns, and supported by evidence we collected of unauthorised and unsafe use of the route, the Council has made the decision to reinstate staggered barriers in Soldiers Alley. This action is intended to address immediate safety risks. We recognise that this is not an optimal solution, and we will continue to monitor the location closely to assess the effectiveness when balancing safety and accessibility.

We remain committed to engaging with local residents, accessibility advocates, and active travel groups as we work towards a long-term solution that meets the needs of all users and reduces the potential for misuse.