CUSTOMERS have been put off from using a shopping centre at Bradley Stoke – because they think speed humps to slow down vehicles are too severe.

They say the humps on the approach road to the Willow Brook Centre give them too much of a jolt.

And at peak times, they create traffic congestion because shoppers have to virtually stop before driving over them which causes a tailback to a roundabout on Brook Way.

The humps were installed in November by the management at the centre in the interests of public safety because drivers were travelling too fast on the approach road.

But South Gloucestershire Councillor Keith Cranney (Con, Stoke Gifford) said the centre should be doing everything it could to encourage customers in times of economic austerity – not put them off.

He said: "I've had a lot of complaints about this and it was raised at a recent forum meeting where someone said they wouldn't be shopping there again.

"A lot of people are very angry that these speed humps have been put in. They are simply too high.

"I can understand the centre wanting to deal with the problem of boy racers at night but it would be better to get the police and security services involved – not do something which puts people off from using the place."

The shopping centre boasts a massive Tesco Extra store as well as a host of other stores with free car parking close by.

Seven pairs of speed humps have been installed on the approach road as well as a raised asphalt mat as you reach the car park. A triple set of humps across the road have been installed opposite the filling station nearer the roundabout.

Some shoppers told the Evening Post they have seen drivers dodge into a layby on the approach road to miss the humps which in itself creates a traffic hazard.

Centre manager Scott Lahive said the speed humps were a standard product which had not been specifically designed for the centre.

He said: "The centre chose this style as they are positioned lower and have been vigorously tested. It is highly unlikely the speed bump would cause vehicle damage or back pain if approached at the correct speed of 10mph.

"Vehicles are obviously travelling at a slower speed, however traffic is currently moving effectively and we have not experienced any congestion or backlog.

"It would be very regrettable if these measures were discouraging people from visiting the centre.

"The introduction of speed bumps were a last resort following nearly 50 accidents on the approach road due to speeding vehicles.

"This accounts for 60 per cent of incidents in total.

"It would have been wrong of us to ignore this and wait for a major incident or, even worse, fatality before we took action.

"What we have adapted is in the interested of public safety."

The speed humps cost "tens of thousands" of pounds and are privately funded.