THE famous chess pieces of Pulteney Bridge are to be removed as part of a new traffic arrangement.

The Bath bollards will be replaced by wooden planters as part of the experimental bus gates project at nearby Northgate Street.

The changes are needed because Bath and North East Somerset Council needs to alter the traffic system so that it fits in with the works to neighbouring Bridge Street.

Police officers are also being asked to clamp down on rogue drivers who flout the bridge's restrictions, which ban all vehicles except buses, taxis and access for deliveries.

The existing bollards, known locally as the 'chess pieces', were placed on the carriageway of Pulteney Bridge in 1994. Their aim was to restrict two-way traffic to provide a safer environment for pedestrians.

However, B&NES believes the bollards need to be removed. Council officers claim planters would achieve the same aims as the bollards. They claim wooden rather than concrete planters will be less vulnerable to crashes and vandalism.

B&NES has estimated the cost of the removal and disposal of the bollards to be around £300, with the replacement wooden planters and signage costing almost £5,000.

A report to councillors said: "Your officers consider that the existing bollards should remain in place until the experimental priority access point at Northgate Street is in place in the spring of 2001.

"These works also include works to the carriageway and footways of Bridge Street that will affect the western approach to and from Pulteney Bridge.

"When all these experimental works are in place, your officers consider that the bollards should be removed as an intermediate measure and the resulting use of Pulteney Bridge be monitored as part of the preparation of a long- term solution."