A WOMAN is calling on the council to remove an unnecessary bollard blocking her driveway.
Karla Upton has been battling to have the post directly outside her home in Osborne Road South removed for a year, but with little success.
The 45-year-old energy company employee said it would cost her £250 to remove the bollard.
However, she thinks it should be down to Southampton City Council to remove it as it’s on its land.
'It has no reason to be there'
Karla said: “Parking is a massive issue and now my two children drive, we have four cars, so it seems fair that we create a driveway to fit them all.
“We are hoping to get the driveway done (I have quotes ready to go) but we are on hold because of the bollard.
“It’s right in the centre of the pavement opposite our house, which makes parking an issue.
“We don’t have the freedom to drive on or off our property as it’s smack bang in the middle.
“The bollard is an access prevention, yet we have the perfect scenario to turn it into a driveway as it’s a dropped kerb.
“People, including my son, mum, and tradesman, have scraped their cars on the bollard as you can’t get the angle to turn left.
“It has no reason to be there and it doesn’t make any sense.”
READ MORE: Woman feels ‘penalised’ as council plan to install bollards outside her home
'The bollard has no purpose'
Karla said she contacted the council a year ago asking if they could remove the bollard.
The removal would cost £250, which she would have to pay from her own pocket.
Karla also contacted her MP Alan Whitehead for his support but said the invasion of Ukraine, cost-of-living crisis and the passing of Queen Elizabeth halted support.
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She said: “I appreciate Alan has got bigger and better things to be dealing with, but the council are refusing to remove the bollard.
“From my point of view, by creating a driveway, we are helping our neighbours out. Plus, we are giving ourselves guaranteed parking.
“The ideal resolution would be that it is removed. The bollard does not have a purpose.”
In response to Karla’s concerns, the council said it will reduce the cost of removal.
A spokesperson said: “The council are happy to reduce the cost of £250 to £149.86 for Ms Webber.
“We have already sent her a quote with the reduced price and are awaiting instruction.”
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