To assist the reopening of Warwick and the recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council and other partners have worked together to produ...
To assist the reopening of Warwick and the recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council and other partners have worked together to produce temporary highways schemes.
These will provide additional space for pedestrians to safely circulate, for customers to queue outside shops and for businesses to expand to meet customer needs, whilst balancing other considerations such as deliveries, residents access and maintaining disabled parking.
The Warwick scheme includes introducing a one-way east bound traffic flow on High Street and Jury Street and one-way north bound traffic flow on The Butts. The following town centre streets will be closed to traffic; Swan Street, Brook Street, Market Street, Market Place and The Holloway.
The New Street car park will remain open with the northern section of New Street becoming two-way and the southern section being closed. Parking will be suspended on Smith Street and Banbury Road and Castle Hill will narrowed to a single lane northbound between the River Avon bridge and East Gate to create additional space for pedestrians and cyclists.
Steps are being taken to provide parking for town centre users and residential permit holders in council owned car parks to replace suspended on-street parking. The Market Place taxi rank is being relocated to Barrack Street.
The space created by the measures will create areas for customers waiting for shops to queue whilst allowing pedestrians to circulate safely. Access will be maintained for loading, deliveries and collections, with marshals being located at selected road closure points, as businesses continue to rely on this to operate.
It is hoped that the schemes will be introduced next week to coincide with the reopening of non-essential shops from 15 June.
Traffic management equipment such as cones and barriers will be used to safely segregate people from motor traffic. The councils have plans to work with local art groups to consider options for improving the appearance of barriers to ensure the distinctive look and feel of the town can be retained.
As hospitality businesses open, the space created may allow them to increase their outside tables to accommodate the social distancing requirements.
Councillor Jeff Clarke, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for Transport and Planning, said:
“We have been working with our key partners to bring forward these plans to temporarily change road layouts as part of our response to the public health crises created by COVID-19 and to reinvigorate our town centres and support the economic recovery. We have had to act swiftly which has prevented widespread community engagement, but we will be monitoring the scheme carefully and will adapt them as necessary to ensure they remain suitable and appropriate to local needs and conditions.
“The plans will help businesses operate, give the public confidence that they can safely return to use and enjoy the town centres and give our businesses and communities a much-needed boost.”
Warwick District Council’s portfolio holder for Business, Councillor Richard Hales commented;
“The past three months have been tough for our retailers, particularly those who have been forced to close completely. The Council is now doing everything it can to support our local economy as our shops and town centre businesses start to reopen. We hope that the temporary measures put in place will allow this to continue and give those re-visiting our towns the outside space they need to enjoy a safe environment.”