A PAIR of long-awaited electronic bollards finally rose to the occasion in Worcester City Centre yesterday after two years of "mystery hitches".

The new traffic-calming measure in Angel Street - which allows only buses and emergency vehicles through - got underway after engineers gave the all clear around 10.30am.

First Midland Red vehicles were the first to use their specially-fitted transponders to electronically beam a signal to the bollards, which lower as the vehicle approaches.

Senior engineer at Worcester City Council, Tom Comerford, said one business owner had already called to say what a difference the bollards had made.

Windows

"He said the street wasn't as noisy, there were less fumes and the parked vehicles outside the windows had gone," he said.

"Consequently, more customers were coming through the doors."

The scheme, which has been in the pipeline since 1994, will bar normal traffic between 10.30am and from 4.30pm, Monday to Saturday.

It aims to benefit pedestrians and traders who suffer inconvenience and loss of trade from unauthorised traffic driving into the area.

Officers will be on hand in Angel Street over the next week to hear from anyone who needs to apply for access.

Alternatively, people can call 01905 722401.