Council set to install eight rising bollards in city centre along with other upgrades

Wrexham Council are embarking on a series of improvements to enhance the city centre’s public realm, with details now emerging on what that could look like.

These upgrades are designed to boost the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the city centre, contributing to a more vibrant and accessible environment for residents and visitors.

WCBC plans to install eleven flagpoles on existing street lighting columns throughout the city centre. These flagpoles, ranging from 1 to 1.5 metres in length, will be made of either steel or aluminium and painted black. They are intended to support banners promoting local events and activities.

As part of the city centre’s improvements, the council are also looking to install up to eight automated bollards, beginning with two on Yorke Street. The remaining six bollards’ locations will be determined based on funding and will be situated in pedestrian zones within the city centre.

These bollards, with a budget of up to £50k, aim to regulate vehicle access, with the aim to enhance pedestrian safety and managing traffic flow.

However, the council are not requiring an automatic bollard system that provides Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), something that has raised eyebrows with some councillors and local businesses who were expecting the system to be linked to numberplates.

All will be black, as will be the associated barrier access posts nearby.

Other infrastructure is being upgraded as the council looks to install new in-ground distribution units to provide electricity in pedestrian zones. These units, which will be integrated into the pavement, appear to be with events in mind with a specific configuration (3 x 16A and 1 x 32A) detailed. They will be recessed under paving when not in use, but then pop up as and when needed.

The units will cost up to £10,000 however that does not include fitting and installation.