Social distancing measures to be in place in Shropshire’s market towns from 3 December

Social distancing measures will be in place in Shropshire’s market towns when the current lockdown ends, to ensure that people can safely visit the county’s towns in the run-up to Christmas.

The measures were first introduced in June [2020] to ensure that people could visit the county’s market towns in line with social distancing regulations and latest Government guidance.

Some were removed at the start of lockdown, whilst others stayed in place.

High Street in Shrewsbury will again be closed from the top of Wyle Cop.

Now, from 3 December the following measures will apply. (For more information, visit the Shropshire Council website).

In Shrewsbury, High Street will be closed to motorised traffic between its junctions with Wyle Cop and Milk Street daily between 11am and 4pm. Prior to lockdown the closure ended at 6pm.

During the closure times, pedestrians will be able to use the entire highway space on this section of High Street. Traffic will be rerouted via Town Walls, Murivance, St Chad’s Terrace, Claremont Bank and Lower Claremont Bank.

During these hours, Wyle Cop will be closed uphill, but remain open downhill, and with new barriers in place to make the road safer for cyclists.

Social distancing measures on Castle Street will remain, though the closures on Victoria Avenue will not be reinstated, but will be kept under review.

On Pride Hill council officers will be reviewing street furniture and planters to see if further space can be created to assist with social distancing.

Meanwhile, in Ludlow the closure of King Street between 10am and 3pm on Friday and Saturday will be reinstated.

Measures in place in Much Wenlock (High Street),Oswestry (Church Street), Church Stretton (High Street) and Bishop’s Castle (High Street) have remained in place during the lockdown, and will remain from 3 December.

Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

“Over the past few days we’ve carefully considered which social distancing measures should be reintroduced, which should remain and which should be altered.

“We’ve consulted with partners in the market towns and considered the latest available data and guidance, and we’re happy that we’ll have measures in place that will enable people to safely visit our market towns in the run-up to Christmas, in line with social distancing guidelines.

“We hope that these measures, along with free parking in Shropshire Council car parks from 3 December, will  encourage people to visit our market towns in the coming weeks and support our local traders.”

For more information about the measures that are, and will be, in place, visit the Shropshire Council website by clicking here.

Any questions about the measures can be emailed to socialdistancingmeasures@shropshire.gov.uk.