Car park barrier is vandalised less than a month after opening

The Bron y Môr car park barrier, at The Knap, was installed following pressure from residents and Baruc ward Plaid Cymru councillors, Nic and Shirley Hodges and Steffan Wiliam.

Cllr Wiliam discovered the vandalism on Thursday, March 16, when he went to lock the gate at 9.30pm.

Damage to the barrier included the alligator teeth ramp being tampered with and damaged plus the post and gate appear to have been hit with some force.

The barrier, installed at the end of summer last year, began to be correctly operational on February 20 this year.

He said: “Once the barrier was built, a period of months went by without any attempt by the council to lock it at night.

“In order to help, I assumed responsibility for the key and the barrier has since been locked every night and opened once again at 7.30am by myself.

“This proved to be an instant success, preventing late night nuisance in the car park and fly tipping. It also provided the local businesses and the residents of Birch Grove with much more security.

Residents of Romilly Park, the Parade and its side streets also benefitted in a reduction of noise and safer streets, since the car park was no longer an available destination for ‘boy racers’.

“It was therefore a terrible shame to discover the damage on Thursday night as I went to lock the gate. The central metal post had been bashed out of all recognition and there were tell-tale signs of glass on the floor."

“The car must have impacted the post and the alligator teeth on more than one occasion and with considerable force."

He said the council should trace the culprits, get them to pay for the damage, and get the barrier operational once more.

Vale council operational manager of highways and engineering, Michael Clogg, said: "The council has been aware of the situation, and is currently assessing the damage caused to the barrier with a view to making it, and the surrounding area, safe."