Anti-terror bollards are set to be installed at 18 different locations in Canterbury in an effort to increase security.

A total of 105 bollards will be put in place by this summer to prevent any potential attack by a terrorist driving a vehicle through the city centre.

Counter-terrorism police have advised Canterbury City Council to implement the security measure, which is designed to stop a hostile vehicle entering the pedestrianised centre of the city.

The bollards will be positioned around the city, although the council cannot yet confirm the exact locations.

Eight of the locations will have automated bollards - similar to the current one at Whitefriars - that will be monitored by CCTV and can be remotely controlled by the council’s control room.

An automated bollard system is already in operation at the entrance to Whitefriars in Canterbury city centre
An automated bollard system is already in operation at the entrance to Whitefriars in Canterbury city centre

A system of automated, manually retractable and static bollards will be installed to provide a security cordon that “blends in with the existing environment, the conservation area and listed buildings”, according to the council.

The council says it aims to keep the public safe while “helping to keep the city’s welcoming atmosphere and ensuring businesses can operate normally”.

We need to take sensible precautions’

Colin Carmichael, Canterbury City Council chief executive, said: “There is no specific intelligence which says Canterbury is at risk but we need to take sensible precautions to ensure we keep everyone as safe as possible.

“Being a historic city and home to the cathedral, Canterbury has a large number of challenges relating to its narrow streets, the volume of visitors, areas of archaeological importance and a high density of pipes belonging to the utility companies under the ground.

Canterbury City Council chief Colin Carmichael says the city has 'a large number of challenges relating to its narrow streets'
Canterbury City Council chief Colin Carmichael says the city has 'a large number of challenges relating to its narrow streets'

“Our experts have carried out ground-penetrating radar surveys to accurately find buried services, to ensure the proposed bollard locations are suitable and to minimise any disruption to businesses in the city.

“Installation work will cause some inconvenience but we will try and keep this to a minimum.

“We have been talking to the Canterbury Connected BID and will be in direct contact with businesses and residents in the very near future with detailed information on how the system will affect them.”

'Council taxpayers have footed the bill'

The city council’s engineers have been working closely with Kent County Council to secure the necessary permissions and agree a protocol for the bollards’ operation.

The project will cost an estimated £660,000 and will be funded by taxpayers.

Mr Carmichael added: “While we have sought financial support from the government and others, Canterbury City Council’s council taxpayers have footed the bill because, in our view, it was important to get this done as quickly as possible without any quibbles.

“Helpfully, Kent County Council waived its usual charges for making changes to its highways.”

A number of counter terrorism measures are also being installed at the Marlowe Theatre at a cost of £140,000 as part of a separate project.

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