BOLLARDS that are supposed to help control traffic flow through Worcester city centre are to be given one last chance to prove they are up to the job.

The bollards in Angel Street, which cost the taxpayer £40,000, will be tested at a date to be fixed in a bid to get them to rise and fall automatically.

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said: "We are currently in negotiations with the contractor, ATG Access, to have a final test on the bollards.

"If they work, great stuff, but if they don't, we shall take legal advice about having them removed. We are finalising the date for the final test. The situation has been totally unaceptable for motorists in what is a busy area."

After more than eight years, the bollards are still refusing to rise and lower despite continued efforts by engineers to correct the problem.

The bollards were installed in 1999 and have only worked for two days since then.

Last year, we reported how corrective work that took place in July failed to get them working.

A strong magnetic field in that part of the city has been highlighted as the reason why the bollards are not working properly.

Between 10.30am and 4.30pm, only buses and emergency vehicles are meant to use the street, but drivers of taxis and private cars regularly use the road to drive through, too.

When contacted by the Worcester News, ATG Access declined to comment.