Norfolk County Council seeks to 'stop-up' Norwich's Hay Hill

But it seems pedestrians using the city's Hay Hill could have saved themselves some of the effort.

In an extraordinary development, it has emerged the route has been technically open to motor vehicles for the last four decades.

Although it was converted into a pedestrian area in the 1970s, the legal paperwork to block traffic from using it was never completed, meaning it remains legal to drive through the square.

Official records have not been updated since the pedestrianisation of Hay Hill in the 1970s (Image: Archant)

The loophole emerged as part of the recent multimillion pound makeover of the Hay Hill area and council officials are now scrambling to close it.

But any motorists looking to make use of the phantom street before it becomes illegal will be disappointed.

Although they may be able to drive around the square, they cannot reach it without breaking other traffic regulations on all the routes leading to Hay Hill.

And that's before they have to tackle the street furniture now covering the area.

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Hay Hill in 1972 (Image: Archant)

Hay Hill is owned by Norwich City Council and the new legal process has been kick-started by the completion of a £3.2m regeneration project, including improved seating, better-designed steps and a fountain.

However, it is the county council - which has responsibility for roads - which is now trying to close the loophole.

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Norfolk County Council is seeking to stop-up the hatched green area (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Officials have lodged their case with Norwich Magistrates' Court to update the laws that govern use of the street.

A hearing is due to be held on December 4 to formalise the ban on cars.

Anyone wishing to object is able to challenge the proposals at the hearing.

New bollards at Hay Hill (Image: Denise Bradley) While new bollards have recently appeared at Hay Hill, blocking access for vehicles, Norfolk County Council says these were installed as part of the overall revamp scheme to provide additional public safety - and are not related to the current legal process. 

HAY HILL HAVOC

The government-funded redevelopment of Hay Hill was due to be wrapped up earlier this year but was repeatedly delayed due to disputes between City Hall and the contractors, Tarmac.

The £3.2m revamp includes a new layout with level access, steps with handrails, more seating, fountains and performance area, as well as a permanent ice cream kiosk. 

Mike Stonard, leader of Norwich City Council, said the authority had to ask the contractors to fix the fountain when it began leaking shortly after construction, and criticised "substandard work".

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The new-look redevelopment of Hay Hill (Image: Eden Dorrell) He said the project had also been impacted by supply chain issues, such as delays with the shipping of specialist stonework from Portugal.

The scheme was finally completed last month. 

HAY HILL HISTORY

While the square is now surrounded by Next, Mountain Warehouse, Primark and McDonald's, it has had many different faces over the years. 

Topshop and Topman were long-standing features of the square until several years ago.

Many will remember when the Next building was home to clothing store C&A before the brand closed its UK stores at the start of the millennium. 

The Hay Hill cascade in 1972 after someone had put detergent in it (Image: Archant) Looking further back, the building housing McDonald's used to be the George & Dragon pub. 

Others will remember when Hay Hill was home to larger fountains to those we have today - which often foamed up after people dumped detergent in. 

Hay Hill in 1956 (Image: Archant) But the statue of Sir Thomas Brown is one of its longest-standing features, having watched over city folk for more than a century. 

Once surrounded by cars, the figure is now passed by hundreds of pedestrians every day as they go about their shopping or grab something to eat.