Traffic will be “slowed” in Derby’s Friar Gate this Easter weekend – that’s despite the council leader previously vowing to stop it altogether in the wake of last weekend’s incident which injured seven people.
Three people remain in hospital following the incident which happened at about 9.30pm on Saturday, March 28.
A total of seven people were injured – some seriously – after a Suzuki Swift collided with pedestrians in Friar Gate.
Sandhu Ponnachan, of Chariot Close, Alvaston, was charged with six counts of Section 18 GBH with intent, one count of attempted Section 18 GBH with intent, one count of dangerous driving, and one count of possession of a bladed article in connection with the incident.
Ponnachan appeared in court on Wednesday (April 1) at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court and is due to appear at Derby Crown Court later this month.
Following the serious incident, questions have been raised about providing extra security measures to reassure city centre visitors ahead of the coming Easter weekend.
During a BBC Radio Derby interview on March 31, Derby City Council leader, Councillor Nadine Peatfield said: “We will stop vehicles one way or another from travelling along Friar Gate over the Bank Holiday weekend.”
However, in a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon it was confirmed traffic on Friar Gate would be “slowed” over the weekend – but not stopped.
Cllr Peatfield said traffic calming measures will be in place as well as an increased high visibility police presence across the city centre.
She said: “In the aftermath of this distressing incident, the landscape is constantly shifting.
“We have taken the time to consult extensively with local businesses, our Purple Flag partners, transport providers and the emergency services. After carefully considering this feedback, we have decided to take measures to slow the traffic on Friar Gate but not to stop it.
“Traffic calming measures will be in place along with an increased high visibility Police presence across the city centre.
“The recent incident was an isolated occurrence, and we remain fully committed to ensuring our residents and visitors feel safe and welcome in a city centre that is very much open for business.”
Earlier this week Cllr Peatfield said the authority was constantly reviewing city centre safety and was considering “the implications” of last Saturday’s incident.
She praised Derby people for “stepping up” and said business owners, staff and residents “acted heroically to support our emergency services in the immediate aftermath of the incident”.
She called for a “united front” in the city and for residents to support the council and police in caring for those “who live, work and study in our city”.
The move to only slow traffic down comes after Conservative councillor Steve Hassall wrote to council and police chiefs calling for a city centre safety review in the wake of the incident.
Cllr Hassall said a review should consider “hostile vehicle mitigation measures such as bollards and reinforced street furniture in high footfall areas”.
He also said “timed or permanent restrictions” on vehicle access in pedestrian-heavy streets could be explored.
Nigel Slater
Local Democracy Reporter
