A YEAR-long campaign by villagers has failed to move a row of bollards that are getting in the way of Fair Oak shoppers.

Complaints started rolling in soon after the 12 pillars appeared outside the One Stop convenience store in Summerlands Road more than 12 months ago.

Shoppers said that, because of their position, the bollards were causing nuisance and inconvenience - especially to wheelchair users and mothers with pushchairs.

But after more than a year of campaigning by ward councillor Phil Spearey, they remain in place.

Cllr Spearey said villagers had been amazed when they discovered the arrival of what he understood to be anti ram raid bollards outside the store which also houses Fair Oak's post office.

"They also damaged a specially paved area which had been financed by the parish, borough and county councils," said Cllr Spearey.

He added: "When I made inquiries I found that no permission had been given for these things to be put in. I complained as soon as they went in.

"As far as I know, they haven't had any problems with ram raiders here and a lot of people have complained to me about them.

"They haven't even made the entrance into their own shop very easy, but apparently the county council tried to get in touch with the owners of One Stop without any response at all."

Linford Court resident June Steele agreed. She said: "It is an absolute mess, isn't it? At night time the kids come and play round it and jump on them.

"I know there is an old gentleman in a wheelchair who has complained about them because he can't get into the shop or down the pavement."

But after more than a year of waiting, the matter still looks like it is in the melting pot.

A county council spokesman told the Daily Echo: "We have served notice on One Stop to remove them. The response was that there had been a changeover of the company that owned the shop and they were not liable for it.

"We are saying at the time they were the owning company and they are still registered as a company and are still trading. We are now waiting for a response from them."

When the Daily Echo contacted One Stop a spokesman said: "Tesco have taken us over."

But a Tesco spokeswoman said: "We understand that they were put in as an anti ram raid device. T and S, who run the One Stop store, are making an application for planning permission."