A GROUP of Caerleon residents have stopped council workers from fitting new bollards outside their homes, as they claim they were not properly consulted.

Residents living alongside the small patch of grass known as the “little common” on Goldcroft Common Caerleon, were alarmed on Monday afternoon, to find council workers marking out holes along the edge of the grass opposite their homes.

Mark Lewis, one of the residents on Goldcroft Common, was among those who challenged the council workers. He said: “They haven’t consulted us about the solution. They’ve only come out here today when they’re actually doing it.”

The wooden bollards would stop cars from driving onto the grassy area. The residents agreed they did not want to see cars parked on any part of the Common, but the width of the road outside their properties means they have to mount the side of the grass to be able to turn around.

Mr Lewis said: “We just wouldn’t be able to park here if they were there.

“Not having any parking would seriously diminish the value of our properties if we were trying to sell."

The lane can only fit one car width as it stands, so the bollards would mean cars would soon get blocked in. Bollards have not been implemented on any other part of the Common.

“We do get people parking on here and I’m in total agreement that shouldn’t happen, but I’d like to see some common sense and just push that kerb back to allow cars through or to create a turning circle so we can come out facing the traffic,” Mr Lewis said.

Immediately around the corner from the lane is Caerleon Endowed infant and junior school.

David Stacey, a neighbour of Mr Lewis’ said: “That’s my biggest fear, reversing out of here and hitting a child.”

The workers who had arrived to cement 16 bollards into the ground only managed to secure one before leaving the area.

Newport City Council were contacted, but declined to comment.