Rising bollards roadwork warning for repairs in Kettering town centre
Rising bollards protecting pedestrians in Kettering town centre from vehicles are set to be repaired after the traffic system failed.
Work to mend the bollards will take place on Friday (February 6) in phases throughout the day, starting at 7.30am in Market Street and finishing in Meadow Road at 4pm.
The bollards were installed in May 2025 at the main entrances to Kettering town centre to turn the shopping area into a completely pedestrianised zone but they have been malfunctioning for some time.
When working correctly, authorised drivers would have to use entry cards or press a call button to speak to an operator.
Apologising for any inconvenience, a spokesman for North Northants Council said: “Works will be undertaken on the bollards around Kettering town centre this Friday (February 6).
“Whilst works are undertaken at each section, access will need to be closed off. We apologise for any inconvenience.”
Bollards at each of the locations below will be be closed off for approximately 1.5 hours:
Market Street - 7.30am to 9am
High Street - 9.15am to 10.45am
Lower Street - 11am to 12.30pm
Gold Street - 12.45pm to 2.30pm
Meadow Road - 2.45pm to 4pm
Kettering Borough Council spent about £250,000, on the installation in High Street, Lower Street, Meadow Road and Gold Street.
Manually operated bollards were installed at the bottom of Meeting Lane and fixed bollards were also placed at the entrance to Wadcroft.
The barriers were installed to prevent vehicles – including delivery vans and lorries entering the pedestrianised zone between core shopping hours.
When operational the bollards lower within two to three seconds, but the bollards have remained down for several months.