Clamp down on Fakenham drivers flouting market day closures

Fakenham Town Council says it has seen an alarming rise in the number of drivers ignoring the closures on its Thursday market day.

The closures allow stalls to be set up and customers to browse safely.

Angela Glynn, the mayor of the town, and other councillors have been told of drivers who are ignoring signage across Fakenham, including on April 13, when one car drove through the Market Place, narrowly avoiding people and stalls.

Angela Glynn, the mayor of Fakenham (Image: Archant)

Mrs Glynn said the incident has been ongoing over the last few months - but has seen a sharp rise in recent weeks.

She said: “The town councillors all share concerns about the Thursday road closures being flouted.

"As regular visitors to our Charter Market, we see regular offenders delivering to some shops in Bridge Street and Norwich Street. 

“We urge motorists to observe the closure for the sake of the safety of fellow residents, visitors and traders. No one wants to see the almost inevitable accident occurring. 

One delivery driver, driving down a closed Bridge Street on market day (Image: Fakenham Town Council)

PC Richard Dawson, the town’s beat manager, is aware of the situation and is just as concerned. There are plans for extra patrols on market day to help crackdown. 

Incidents included a transit van driving the wrong way up Bridge Street to deliver to a business, as well as barriers being removed and another driver coming down Norwich Street, and a delivery driver travelling up Bridge Street.

The final incident had been witnessed by a number of the town council’s staff, including the groundsman who saw a man trying to drive in the Upper Market, past the florist and stalls to try to get to Bridge Street.

Mrs Glynn added she will write to the managing directors of the shops concerned to complain about their suppliers and to ensure compliance with the road closure order.