The old gate at the entry and exit to Riverside Car Park in St Neots has been replaced with rising bollards, which will start working on Monday 12 May.
Huntingdonshire District Council installed the new, electronically operated bollards to ensure that access to the car park is managed effectively, maximising overnight security and minimising anti-social behaviour.
Residents of St Neots and visitors to the town will be able to access the car park everyday from 6 am, until midnight.
Tracey Guinea, Anti-social Behaviour Caseworker at the council says; "It was acknowledged that a number of previous arrangements in place to open and close the gates had not always been successful and resulted in the car park sometimes left open at night, and not unlocked at the correct time in the morning.
She added; “The effect of this was that people were more concerned about vehicles left overnight; local residents experienced problems with noise and disturbance from 'boy racer' vehicles and associated groups of young people. Some people have had problems getting into the car park in the morning, which has been a particular problem for traders on market days.”
The new rising bollards will mean the car park will automatically open at 6am in the morning and close at midnight. However, if you do find yourself caught after midnight in the car park, there is no need to panic. Those who have a genuine reason for being there after midnight and need to exit will be able to press a button and speak with the staff at the 24 hour control centre, which will asses the situation and lower the bollard.
If the control centre suspects that vehicles are there to cause anti-social behaviour or if they are concerned about car crime they can prevent vehicles from exiting the car park until 6am.
Signs have been erected to advise users of the car park about the new rising bollards and the opening and closing times.
Councillor David Harty who has been closely involved in this project said; “I am pleased that the installation is now complete and hope that it will reduce the nuisance suffered by local residents”.