They are for government vehicle's only, i.e. buses, mail trucks, police etc... they all have sensors they tell the poles to drop upon approach and when to come back up (no trailers).... the cars getting damages entered a "Pedestrian Only" zone before 8am and should have left before the 8am - 6pm zoning rules, thats why their in there and can't get out
silly buggers... business owners can apply for a override for delivery's but it's frowned upon, and only granted if there's to other means for delivery normally they are told to unload outside the pedestrian zone and use a dolly.... if the Traffic wardens see you abusing a pass for the poles they will shut you down asap....
<~~~ Lived in the UK for 21 years
these things were always a pain in the A$$ if you where somewhere you didn't know; normally the roads within the zone are made of a brownish colored bricks (no tarmac) but still it was easy enough to get caught out...