Temporary town centre pedestrianisation on agenda for Atherstone to combat 'impossible' social distancing issues?

'MOST IMPORTANT THING TO BRING BACK TRADE TO LOCAL BUSINESSES IS FOR PUBLIC TO FEEL AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE IN COVID-19 ENVIRONMENT'

MONDAY 'OPEN SESAME' FOR DRESS AND BOOK SHOPS, ELECTRONICS RETAILERS AND SAYING A PRIVATE PRAYER IN PLACES OF WORSHIP FOR EVERYTHING'S THAT HAPPENED IN LAST THREE MONTHS

PUBLIC confidence in "feeling safe" on Atherstone's narrow streets is set to usher in a pedestrianisation debate as wholesale changes on Covid-19 lockdown kick in from tomorrow.

Councillors are expected to discuss the problem of how to create a uniform response to social distancing on the town's main thoroughfare.

Passing people outside the shops on Long Street while maintaining the two-metre rule is proving "impossible", according to Councillor Ray Jarvis.

The deputy mayor of both Atherstone-based authorities has promised to raise the issue, highlighting it so locals can "take notice and help each other".

Taking to social media, Councillor Jarvis said: "Social distancing is going to be with us for some time yet, so while queuing outside a shop please keep towards the wall so that people are able to use the other side of the pavement to pass."

Citing a recent incident outside the Long Street Co-op store he noted: "Yes, everyone in the queue was socially distanced but some were against wall, some in the middle and some kerb side – making passing and maintaining social distancing impossible."

Resident Lorraine Callery raised the spectre of shoppers going out of town on a safety point.

She asked: "Is the council considering pedestrianising Long St on a temporary basis when all the shops re-open?

"I would not normally advocate this but I can't see how social distancing queuing is going to work otherwise?

"I've already heard people saying that they don't feel safe on the pavements with the numbers queuing, and there's not even that many shops or businesses open yet.

"I think the most important thing at the moment to bring back trade to our local businesses is for the public to feel as safe as possible in the environment.

"If they don't then they'll probably jump in the car and drive to places where there is more queuing space due to pedestrianisation."

Cllr Jarvis explained that roads, as a transport issue, is dealt with by Warwickshire County Council and not North Warwickshire.

Atherstone can look to the rest of the UK for example of how councils are having to adapt to the damage caused by dealing with anti-coronavirus measures.

Falmouth has a very similar main street to Atherstone – and has decided to close to vehicles for five hours a day to help with social distancing.

In the lead up to shops reopening on Monday, the Cornish town's local authority has created a plan to help people feel safe when returning back to the town centre – shutting High Street and three others between 11am and 4pm.

Household names in Atherstone and district such as bakery chain Greggs and betting shop Coral have indicated they'll be back in business on the high street after the weekend as non-essential shops can reopen with the easing of lockdown restrictions.

It's 12 weeks since many shops closed their doors to the public – and the reopening process will see a different look and feel to operating introduced to keep people safe.

Protective measures are being implemented to reduce the risk of transmission; some of these include:

• Limiting the number of people in stores and implementing a one-way system to limit contact;
• Changing the usual exit and entry points to avoid congestion;
• Inserting barriers at till points to reduce contact between staff and customers;
• Encouraging contactless payment over cash transactions to minimise the risk of transmission;
• New store signage may have been installed informing customers of what they can and cannot touch and
• In most cases fitting rooms will be closed to reduce the risk of transmission.

And there will mandatory face coverings needed if you want to travel on public transport with travel refused and fines of up to £100 for non-conformists.

So, which shops can open from June 15?

All non-essential retail shops will be able to reopen from Monday, provided they follow Government guidelines to make them "Covid-secure".

These include clothes and shoe shops, tailors, dress fitters and fashion designers, book shops, auction houses, antique shops, betting shops and arcades, electronics retailers, photography studios, retail art galleries, indoor markets, craft fairs and shops selling toys.

Tywcross Zoo is back on the visiting list, drive-in cinemas and places of worship will reopen for private prayer.

Earlier in the week, Nub News revealed the dos and don'ts for retailers – to ensure there is no risk of being handed enforcement notices – while customers are being urged to show "restraint" in not trying on clothing and testing goods.

And which ones will continue to have to wait – hoping the length of time on the commercial sidelines will not adversely affect their chances of survival?

The 'closed for now' sign remains up at gyms and swimming pools – in fact all indoor and outdoor exercise venues.

Ice skating rinks, bingo halls, casinos, cinemas, clubs, concert venues, museums and theatres join bowling alleys and soft play centres in the 'no-go' area of lockdown restriction.

Pubs, cafes and restaurants are still closed and while some offer takeaway services, Business secretary Alok Sharma has indicated it will be July 4 – American Independence Day – "at the earliest" before the there is any likelihood of doors being reopened.

Warwickshire County Council has been working at pace with partners and stakeholders on plans which will see temporary changes made to some road layouts and pedestrian thoroughfares to support social distancing as lockdown measures begin to be eased.

Schemes have been developed which create space for social distancing so that businesses can operate, the public can confidently return to town centres and they can be reached safely on foot or by bicycle.

The locations, extents and design of the schemes will vary in response to the needs and layouts of each town, but could include the use of signs, lane and road closures, one-way systems, and the suspension of on-street town centre parking.

The measures are being introduced using temporary traffic management such as barriers, cones and signs.

Transport portfolio holder Councillor Jeff Clarke said work had been going on in the background with the rolling out of measures to coincide with the reopening of non-essential shops tomorrow. He added: "The first phase of this work is looking at how we can reallocate road space to reinvigorate town centres and support the economic recovery. "We are advancing with plans to temporarily change road layouts to give more space to cyclists and pedestrians and support social distancing." Meanwhile, some 36 deaths were reported across the UK in the last 24 hours from coronavirus – bringing the total to 41,698 – 72 of those across Atherstone and North Warwickshire, according to new figures released on Friday. The number of newly reported deaths nationally is the least since lockdown began on March 23. In the same timeframe, confirmed case of Covid-19 in the UK rose by 1,514 to 295,889 with Atherstone and North Warwickshire reporting 206 (up five in 48 hours) at 317.7 per 100,000 population – one of the the highest rates of any of its neighbouring Midland authorities including Birmingham and Coventry. World cases are approaching the eight million mark – currently 7,915,943 – and the death tally is 433,183.

More than half of those who have tested positive have now recovered (4,068,038).