Do you think this bollard is worth £80,000?

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Pilsworth Road

The rising bollard on Pilsworth Road has cost approximately £80,142.82 since it was installed just four years ago, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

The bollard was initially installed to enforce a night-time width restriction preventing HGVs using routes through Heywood between the hours of 8pm – 6am.

Following complaints from residents, Heywood Township Committee passed plans in January 2011 to introduce rising bollards under the East Lancs Railway Bridge.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/34/heywood-news/51559/hgv-nighttime-ban-approved

However, its effectiveness is questionable, as the request revealed the bollard has been replaced or repaired a whopping 19 times – on average, once every 10 weeks since its installation, with each repair averaging £3,500.

In August, Andrew Storey, head of highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We are aware of damage to this bollard, caused by a vehicle hitting it. We are still establishing repair costs but, like other repairs, if the driver can be traced, we will seek to recover these from them.”

To date, the Council has traced the parties responsible for the damage on just nine occasions, recovering £9,542.

In March 2015, then-cabinet member for Highways, Councillor Jacqui Beswick requested a review into the bollard.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/94525/rising-bollard-on-pilsworth-road-to-be-reviewed

A spokesman for the Council confirmed the review is currently being undertaken.

He added: “We will be able to say more next month.”