TRADERS are calling for bollards at the end of a main shopping street in Darwen to be removed – because they “deter customers”.

Business owners along Duckworth Street said concrete bollards which partially block off its connection to the A666 cause problems for out-of-town visitors.

The bollards, which leave a wide enough gap for vehicles to pass through, were erected during highways redevelopment in 2007 as a way of decreasing and slowing traffic in Darwen’s main shopping area.

Town councillor Brenda Cronshaw, a market trader for 35 years, said: “The bollards must go. There’s no need for them at all.

“All they do is deter people from out of town because they don’t think they can come up the road.

“All we need is a ‘sleeping policeman’ to slow people down.

“There are signs up but they’re not doing the job.”

Eileen Guy, chair of the Darwen Shops and Business Association (DSBA), agreed.

She said: “A lot of DSBA members along Duckworth do want them removed.

"The problem is mainly concerning people from out of town who don’t know they can drive up Duckworth Street and park there.

“They just carry on up the hill with the rest of the traffic.”

Vanda Farnhill, who runs Vanda’s Market Garden in Duckworth Street, said: “It would definitely be better if the bollards weren’t there.

“You get people ringing up for directions and then they spend about half an hour driving round before they find us.”

But Denise Gee, chair of the Darwen Chamber of Trade, disagreed.

She said: “If the bollards were removed, there would be fast-flowing traffic along Duckworth Street which would not be safe for shoppers.

“A ‘sleeping policeman’ would slow vehicles down, but they are a nightmare for delivery vans.

“You get a lot of disruption to your stock when you go over them.”

Coun Alan Cottam, the borough’s executive member for regeneration and environment, said: “The approach to Duckworth Street is well signposted and clearly indicates that shoppers can gain access.

“The bollards were put up there for road safety reasons to prevent cars entering the shopping area at speed. This remains the case.”