COMMUNITY leaders are hung over whether the High Street should be open to motorists on Saturdays.

Councillor Kate Spencer (Con-East) fears that at present the road is an "accident waiting to happen."

She reckons that by opening the High Street, the Spa will lose it's identity as a market town and become a rat race for speeding motorists. She also worries for the safety of families walking along the road and would prefer to see automatic bollards installed to prevent vehicles entering on a Saturday.

"Understandably traders should not have the responsibility of either placing bollards or a chain across the High Street to prevent cars gaining access but we need to make an urgent decision and stop pussy-footing around. It is an accident waiting to happen," she stressed.

The road should officially be shut between 10.30am and 4.30pm on Saturdays. But motorists continue to use the busy road and fail to adhere to the no entry signs.

The matter was brought up at a recent Town Council meeting where the town mayor, Jan Bolton (Con-East) volunteered to carry out a survey of traders' opinions over whether to close or open the High Street.

She said: "Automatic bollards are very expensive but having carried out a survey of traders, I have found that the majority would prefer the High Street open to motorists on a Saturday. I will now report these findings back to Town Council."

Cllr Kate Spencer (Con-East) added that she would prefer to see a wider survey which took into consideration the views of all Spa residents before a final decision is made.