A CRUMBLING million-pound roundabout has had bollards installed to stop motorists driving over it and worsening the damage.

The black, bell-shaped bollards have been positioned to stop vehicles from driving over the central reservation at the Seven Dials roundabout in Brighton.

Paving slabs in the £950,000 scheme’s outer ring started crumbling and disintegrating not long after it was completed in December 2013.

The project is still covered by its guarantee so the maintenance work is carried out at the contractor’s expense.

Residents and drivers believe the new bollards are to stop vehicles damaging the centre as they have the outer ring.

It is the latest in a series of traffic issues that have drawn criticism which have been overseen by city head of transport Mark Prior, who is paid £85,000 a year.

Motorists complained about the decision to place planters in Viaduct Road, while delays to work in Marine Drive and Edward Street have also attracted criticism.

Jenny Wilson, 62, from Elm Grove, said: “At the end of last week workers turned up to work on the roundabout.

“But instead of sorting the problem with the kerb stones they proceeded to plant four iron bell shapes on the inner circle of the roundabout where no one drives over.”

Bob Potter, 82, from Addison Road, said: “The positioning of these obstructions suggests the council fears the possibility that the fate that has met the outer central circles may well do likewise on the higher level.”

Residents have previously warned that the damage to the roundabout was |putting motorists and pedestrians at risk. Locals have said the design is too large for the area – but the city council claims it was “able to cope with all vehicle sizes if they are travelling at the right speed”. A council spokesman said: “The bollards are there to stop HGVs running over the central island.

“To minimise disruption, repair work has been scheduled to start after the summer, when nearby Brighton Station roadworks are completed.

“The Seven Dials scheme is still in the guaranteed maintenance period so the repairs will be done at the contractor’s expense.”