Traffic calming measures aimed at making a busy high street safer are drawing concerns.
A £60,000 project to cut any potential conflict between people and vehicles has brought in a 20mph zone to Gorleston’s successful retail hub, along with attendant signs and a width restrictor.
Graham Plant, whose county council ward includes the shopping street, said the area had a good safety record but the measures seemed “a sensible precaution.”
However he had had one complaint from a business owner who said that as well as showing motorists signs there needed to be more enforcement.
Meanwhile Malcolm Rose had a close encounter with a raised island close to Ice House Hill and fears the measures could create an accident rather than cutting the possibility of injury.
He was also worried about a lack of signage, adding: “If they are going to put an obstacle in the middle of the road they need to make people aware of it.
“As you exit the high street going to Yarmouth there is a sign that says you are now leaving a 20mph zone, below that is a 4ft long kerb that is 4ins high.
“You have to swerve to avoid it which makes you move into the centre of the road.
“I did not see it on Sunday and it cost me £45 for a new tyre. And I was told that someone had counted 23 people who had done the same thing.
“It is not marked and there are no bollards, normally there are road narrowing signs.”
May Copland of Copland’s Bakery said the measures were adding to congestion and causing long tailbacks.
Trade at the bakery had also been disrupted because of the effect on parking and there were problems with deliveries.
Mr Plant said more signs were being put up in the high street and one person had said the ones that were there were “confusing.”
He said any car would struggle to do more than 20mph during the day because of congestion.
Marlene Fairhead, who sits on the borough council, said the measures were put forward by the county council who at one time also wanted to add another zebra crossing.
However the bid to cut speed was to be welcomed, she said, just as a new pub and cinema were opening.
A nearby garage confirmed it had replaced tyres on two separate cars that had struck the new kerb.
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