To assist the reopening of Rugby and the recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Warwickshire County Council, Rugby Borough Council and other partners are working together to make tem...
To assist the reopening of Rugby and the recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Warwickshire County Council, Rugby Borough 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 blue badge parking.
The County Council is working to introduce the scheme next week following the reopening of non-essential shops at the beginning of this week.
The scheme includes closing Clifton Road, Church Street and North Street to westbound traffic from the Murray Road roundabout to the junction of North Street, Evreux Way and Park Road. Hillmorton Road will be closed to eastbound traffic from Barby Road to the Whitehall Road roundabout. Lawrence Sheriff Street will remain open in both directions between the Gyratory and Barby Road to support access to Hospital of St Cross. Some on-street parking will be suspended on parts of Regent Street, Albert Street, Bank Street and Henry Street, with parking for blue badge holders at the southern end of Albert Street.
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.
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.
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 overall there is a consensus amongst partners that this is the right thing to do in Rugby. We will be monitoring the scheme carefully and will adapt it if necessary, to ensure it remains 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 centre and give our businesses and communities a much-needed boost.”
Cllr Seb Lowe, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “We are pleased to be able to reopen the town centre and have worked hard at implementing measures to support businesses and keep our residents safe.
“The council will continue to work with partners to monitor our open spaces and ensure that we can support the town centre by making sure that it is a safe and welcoming place to be. We need to “act and adapt” to make sure that these changes work well.”
Rugby Borough Council has a free app which has the location of every single bike rack in the town centre. The free App for iPhone and Android can be downloaded from www.rugby.gov.uk/app. Cllr Lowe added.
“We would encourage all residents to consider walking or cycling into town if they can. Every bike rack in the town is mapped on the council’s App, and there will now be plenty of pavement space too.”
Information about the scheme can be found at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/covid19roadlayouts.