FEARS that the cost of a damaged safety barrier would come out of taxpayers' pockets have been allayed by Worcester City Council.
Colin Randle said the metal safety barrier was 'severely damaged' by a vehicle after it was put up for Worcester's Victorian Christmas Fayre.
He feared the cost of the damage would be coming out of the taxpayer's pocket.
However, the Worcester City Council assured residents that the repairs will be made at no extra cost to the public.
Mr Randle said: "I assume that this error will result in a significant cost to the council, and consequently council taxpayers, to have the barrier repaired.
"Will this be the case, and do you know roughly how much the cost will be?
"Furthermore, as the damage resulting from [the council's] (clearly preventable) error now compromised the integrity of the barrier and if so, is it no longer able to adequately act as an anti-terrorism device?
"If this is the case, will it be repaired immediately to reinstate public safety?"
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But a spokesperson from Worcester City Council reassured the public and said: "The repairs to the hostile vehicle mitigation barrier in The Shambles will be completed by the supplier on Friday, at no extra cost to the public purse.
"The damage is purely cosmetic and has not reduced the level of protection that the barrier provides to the public."
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This year the Victorian Christmas Fayre, which runs until Sunday, has filled the streets with stalls and entertainment.
Thousands of people are getting in the festive spirit with coach loads of tourists turning up each day.
All throughout the city centre, festive shoppers were browsing through the various stalls and food options of independent traders from around Worcester and beyond.
The anti-terrorism barriers are now a common appearance at public events across the county after several high-profile terrorist attacks around the world.
It has been a fantastic start to the four-day event with barely any space to move on the High Street and Cornmarket - which was good news for stalls and shops.
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Despite the cost of living crisis, many of the stalls said they had already made lots of sales and they were all looking forward to a busy weekend.
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