AROUND £250,000 could be spent on permanently installing anti-terrorism measures throughout the city centre.

Worcester City Council wants to install strengthened bollards and planters at various points throughout the city centre in a bid to protect visitors during large events and festivals.

A total of 12 locations have been put forward as sites for bollards and the more aesthetically pleasing planters including both ends of the High Street around Cathedral Square and The Cross, Friar Street and both ends of Broad Street.

Fish Street, Copenhagen Street, The Shambles, Pump Street, Charles Street and the Cornmarket have also been mentioned as possible locations for barriers and bollards.

Anti-terrorism barriers and bollards were put in place around the city centre during the last three Victorian fayres based on police and government advice.

Putting the barriers up at last year’s fayre cost £36,500 and installing permanent measures would save a lot of money, according to the council.

The report also said anti-terrorism measures could protect crowded streets from vehicles crashing due to a mechanical fault or if a driver blacked out.

The council said it is only following steps taken by other cities across the country and Worcester is not at any greater threat than any other town or city.

A spokesman for the city council: “Worcester City Council is supporting a growing programme of events and festivals to attract more shoppers and visitors into the city centre and help support Worcester’s economy.

“It is important that the city centre environment is safe and attractive, so the city council is considering installing bollards and planters at various points to physically restrict the access of vehicles.

“This is in line with steps taken in many cities and towns across the country. There is nothing to suggest that Worcester is at any greater threat than anywhere else in the UK.

“The place and economic development committee will be recommended to commit £250,000 to support this work.”

Worcester’s reputation as a safe place to visit is very important, the council said, as it looks to attract more tourists and shoppers through new events and festivals as well as well as hosting more established events such as the Victorian Christmas Fayre, Christmas lights switch-on, Remembrance Sunday, graduations, markets and food festivals where thousands flood the city centre’s streets.

The city council’s place and economic development subcommittee meets next Monday (January 27) to discuss the report.

Councillor Steve Mackay, vice chairman of the income generation committee, said protecting the people of Worcester and visitors to the city was the most important thing, and if the council was acting on the advice of police then it was the right thing to do.

He said as the council works to attract more people to the city, it was important to ensure Worcester was a safe place to visit.

“If it is about keeping people safe then it is definitely the best way forward,” he said.

The council said it should consider buying permanent protection such as larger bollards and concrete planters rather than the more expensive retractable bollards and road blockers to protect the city centre.

The safety measures the council plans to put in place would restrict access to the city centre’s pedestrianised areas whilst still allowing vans and lorries to carry on delivering to shops and restaurants, the council said.

The roads would then be fully closed off during fayres and events.