COUNTY highways are closely monitoring a rising bollard on Fore Street, Redruth, after it was hit by teething troubles.

The bollard, operated by a sensor and activated following a 30-second delay, is designed to deter drivers from using Fore Street as a short cut.

The idea is the delay will discourage motorists from driving up the street.

However motorists who fail to see the sign instructing them to wait for the time delay have been baffled by the bollard and end up reversing back down the street.

"The signage is appalling," said Arts and shop manager Barbara Ellenbroek. "The instruction is on the left and below driver level. People are reversing or turning and driving back down Fore Street."

The bollard, which has been trailed as a traffic calming measure in the pedestrianised street, has been struck down by difficulties since its implementation in November.

Leanne Reed, who has a flower stall close to the bollard said: "It's been working for four days. It kept on getting stuck and the green light didn't work. Most people reverse back down because you have to wait or they don't understand how it works. They should have a sign down the bottom."

A spokesperson for county highways said: "After a brief period of some technical difficulties, and damage caused by a minor collision, the rising bollard appears to have been working as intended since last Friday. We will be keeping a close eye on its performance and its success as a traffic calming measure."