To assist the reopening of Leamington Spa and the recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council, Royal Leamington Spa Town Council and ot...
To assist the reopening of Leamington Spa and the recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council, Royal Leamington Spa Town Council and other partners are working together to make temporary changes to the road layout in the town centre.
This will provide additional space for pedestrians to safely circulate, for customers to queue outside shops, whilst balancing other considerations such as deliveries, residents access and maintaining disabled parking.
In Leamington Spa the scheme includes closing The Parade between Clarendon Avenue and Regent Grove, Warwick Street between Tavistock Street and Guy Street, and Regent Street between Bedford Street and Park Street. The scheme also involves the temporary suspension of some on-street parking, reducing Bath Street to a single lane of traffic and the creation of a ‘pop-up’ cycle route running between Regent Grove and Hamilton Terrace.
The space created by a combination of lane closures and the suspension of some on-street parking 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.”