'DISGUSTING'
We’re trapped in our own homes by police gates that block off the street, blast furious residents
FUMING residents have been left feeling trapped in their own homes after newly built anti-terror gates blocked off their street.
Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Gates (HVMG) have been put up at both ends of Pavilion Road and Colwick Road outside Nottingham Forest stadium - meaning locals can't get to their homes without a pass when the barriers are closed.
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The extreme measures fall under the Government's 'Protection of Crowded Places' scheme - a nationwide drive to improve safety after the UK's terror threat level was raised to severe.
Council bosses worked with Nottingham Forest Football Club and police to implement the scheme, which will see the gates shut on match days.
But furious residents have blasted the "ridiculous" measures.
Pauline Robinson, who has been against the plan from the start, said: “It has been disgusting.
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“I’m basically being blocked in or out of the road where I have happily lived for the past sixty years since I was born. It is outrageous and is a breach of my rights.
“I’m a taxpayer, I’m a permit holder but at times can no longer come and go as I please. I’m being trapped.”
Three feet high red metal gates have been put up at the entrance to the street which has no other vehicular access.
They stretch across the whole road when closed with new bollards in situ on both pavements.
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Residents have been given permits to access the road when the gates are closed, but they say they've only been given one per household.
John Pownall and his partner Deborah Graham, can't make sense of it, wondering how they'll enter their road if they are both out in separate cars.
Residential care provider John, 56, said: “The problem is how long will the gates be closed for on match days and why are they only being manned by one person.
“Also the new permit which is meant to give us access is only one per household she two of us live here with a car each.
“It seems to be a traffic calming measure rather than an anti-terrorist one."
He added: “The crazy thing is the chip shop round the corner has massive queues outside and no security measures."
Property landlady Deborah said: “We need access as and when, not when they decide. It is ridiculous."
The crazy thing is the chip shop round the corner has massive queues outside and no security measures.
John Pownall
Some residents on the other hand have not been phased by the big red structures, with one person insisting they are a "brilliant idea".
They said: “It makes us feel safe. How can that be a bad my thing, it’s a brilliant idea. It shows the council cares about our community.”
Another local, who did not wish to be named, added: "The gates are a reasonable thing to do and if they have to do it. I have no real complaint.
“As far as I’m aware the gates are closed an hour before kick off and are then re-opened during play then shut again before the final whistle.
“It will cause some disruption but it seems fair enough. There’s always disruption on match days!”
Gary Wood, Head of Highways and Transport at Nottinghamshire County Council said the measures have been introduced to keep fans safe during events at the football ground.
He said: "The arrangements have been subject to consultation with the local community and we recently started to implement the approved scheme.
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"We will be monitoring carefully over the next few months to see if any adjustments are needed.”
Nottingham Forest has been approached for comment.
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