News / Driver alert
DRIVERS are being warned to steer clear of Lerwick’s Commercial Street between 11.30am 5.30pm or they will be fined as the police step up their presence in the town centre.
Lerwick police have spent Monday and Tuesday warning drivers that they intend to enforce council traffic regulations on the town’s main shopping street between Market Cross and Fort Charlotte.
Last month the council voted to erect bollards on Burns Walk, one of the most popular access routes to Commercial Street.
The council wants to see traffic restrictions imposed more vigorously and has approached the local police force to make it a priority.
Police area commander Angus MacInnes said he had only recently become aware of the restrictions and accepted that it was a contentious issue, with many drivers disagreeing with the controls.
“However the council has traffic orders in place and it is our duty to make sure that they are followed,” he said.
Under the rules only emergency service and council vehicles, along with disabled badge holders are allowed during the restricted hours.
From Wednesday morning the police will be imposing fixed penalties on anyone caught on the street during that time.
Meanwhile the police are maintaining their high profile checks on licensed premises, with 300 carried out during March to clamp down on substance abuse, violence and anti social behaviour.
Shetland police recorded 144 fewer crimes during 2012/13, a reduction of more than 21 per cent, with a 77 per cent detection rate, the highest in the northern region.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -
- Remove non-local ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
