Our bustling high street has turned into a 'ghost town' after the council blindsided us and installed a bollard - shops are closing and no one is listening to us By Cameron Roy Published: 21:47 BST, 23 September 2024 | Updated: 22:01 BST, 23 September 2024 e-mail View comments Residents of a once bustling high street have claimed it has been turned into a 'ghost town' after the council blindsided them and installed a bollard which has blocked traffic. The stylish Baker Street in Weybridge, Surrey, is famously a hub for eclectic independent businesses but it is now at risk of collapse due to shop owners fleeing. The street is now beset with empty units as traders say they feel betrayed by the council and 'forgotten about' following the 'ridiculous' decision to build the bollard.
It blocks all traffic midway through the street and has left shop owners struggling for customers. It was introduced during the pandemic to allow for social distancing, but businesses claim no consultation from Surrey County Council was made on the temporary measure becoming permanent. The bollard was introduced during the pandemic to allow for social distancing and blocks all traffic midway through the street - leaving shop owners struggling for customers Laura Slee is one of the shop owners who feels the council have blindsided the business on Baker Street by installing the bollard Georgie Hillier runs the trendy Nettie Knows clothes store but says 'people never come here, this road gets forgotten ab.