The controversy over a pedestrianised city centre street continues after a cycling campaign group slammed Norfolk Police's response.

It comes after a woman acting as a "human bollard" in Exchange Street to protest drivers flouting rules was removed by police on Saturday (November 5).

A video of the incident was widely shared, causing outrage from many who say the restrictions on traffic travelling up the road are not being enforced.

 

It is currently a pedestrian and cycle zone between 10am and 5pm every day but is still used by many motorists looking to cut through to St Andrews Street.

Lucy Hall, 66 and from Norwich, was on the road after she got to "the end of (her) tether" and began blocking vehicles trying to illegally use the road.

The police subsequently issued a statement saying they will remove people who attempt to block the road and argued the signage was "not adequate" due to the number of drivers still using the route.

Norwich Evening News: A police officer speaks to a pedestrian in Exchange Street, NorwichA police officer speaks to a pedestrian in Exchange Street, Norwich (Image: Contributed)

Road safety group, Norwich Cycling Campaign, has called the police's response as "strange" and "incorrect" and called on further action to clamp down on drivers breaking the rules.

The statement said: "There are plenty of signs warning motorists - it is perfectly clear it is closed to traffic. There are signs as you approach Upper St Giles, at the top of Gaol Hill and at the entrance to Exchange Street.

Norwich Evening News: Signs displayed at Exchange Street showing the road is a pedestrian and cycle zone between 10am and 4pm ever daySigns displayed at Exchange Street showing the road is a pedestrian and cycle zone between 10am and 4pm ever day (Image: Contributed)

"The most effective way to ensure everyone's safety is to remove the source of danger, namely people continuing to drive through a pedestrian zone."

Norfolk Police said Ms Hall was removed from the road as she was "obstructing the highway" however Norwich Cycling Campaign argued it is "unclear how standing in a pedestrianised zone is obstruction."

They also claimed officers that waved through drivers "already committed" to travelling on the route had "encouraged" them to commit an offence. 

Norwich Evening News: Lucy Hall acting as a human bollard in Exchange Street, NorwichLucy Hall acting as a human bollard in Exchange Street, Norwich (Image: Contributed)

In the last year, only four city drivers have been fined for flouting zone restrictions.

However, a man has been charged in connection with obstructing Exchange Street, and for also using threatening behaviour towards a member of the public, during the incident in October. 

Nearby businesses recently claimed there has been "little difference" since the road was pedestrianised, with lots of cars still using the route.