04/11/2020 - Permalink

Coronavirus: Changes to some town centre social distancing measures ahead of second Lockdown

Related topics: Coronavirus / Economic growth / Highways, transport and environmental maintenance

Following the Government’s announcement of a four-week Lockdown in England from tomorrow (Thursday 5 November 2020), Shropshire Council has reviewed the social distancing measures in Shropshire’s town centres – with some changes set to come into effect by Thursday morning, and other measures set to remain in place.

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

Following the review, the following has been agreed:

Shrewsbury
The closures on High Street, Wyle Cop and Victoria Avenue will be removed, allowing buses to return to High Street for the lockdown period, instead of using Town Walls. Any on-street parking bays that become available will become chargeable.

Social distancing measures on Castle Street will remain.

Ludlow
The closure of King Street will be removed.

Bridgnorth
Running lane on High Street for the Saturday market will remain.

Much Wenlock
Social distancing measures on High Street will remain.

Oswestry
Social distancing measures on Church Street will remain.

Church Stretton
Social distancing measures on High Street will remain.

Bishop’s Castle
Social distancing measures on High Street will remain.

Car parks and parking

  • On-street and off-street (ie car parks) parking charges will remain in place.
  • Where there are residential parking issues – eg due to an increase in home working – residents will, on request, be able to park in Shropshire Council car parks at a reduced rate or free of charge, and each case will be considered on an individual basis.
  • Raven Meadows Multi-Storey cark park in Shrewsbury will remain open as normal.

Staff will be monitoring town centres over the lockdown period, and parking enforcement officers will also be continuing their work.

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

“In light of the Government’s announcement, we’ve carefully considered which of the social distancing measures will be required in the coming weeks, and which should be removed for the period of the lockdown – along with any other related actions that needs to be taken. I’m happy that what we’ve agreed is sensible and proportionate, and we’ll continue to review things in the weeks ahead.

“When the lockdown is confirmed as ending, the social distancing measures will be reintroduced or amended based upon the available data and national guidance, and taking into account the pre-Christmas period, and with the needs of our businesses and towns very much in mind.”