Facebook - Shropshire Business Twitter - Shropshire Business LinkedIn - Shropshire Business
http://www.telfordcollege.ac.uk/employers http://www.terry-jones.co.uk

Traffic-free plan for Shrewsbury town centre

Areas of Shrewsbury town centre are set to be traffic-free during part of the day under plans to make the town safe for people during coronavirus restrictions. 

Shops are due to start reopening from June 15, and preparations are being put in place to enable people to maintain social distancing while visiting the town centre. 

The main proposal involves creating a central pedestrian zone for a period of the day by diverting inbound traffic along Town Walls rather than up Wyle Cop and onto High Street between 11am and 6pm. Traffic will still be able to come up Castle Street, along St Mary’s Street and down Wyle Cop, but not along High Street. 

That will mean High Street and Shoplatch will be completely free of vehicles, enabling the road to be used by pedestrians, and allowing the potential use of loading bays being used as seating areas. 

The plans are part of a range of urgent initiatives being proposed by the Shrewsbury Recovery Taskforce, made up of representatives from Shropshire Council, Shrewsbury Town Council and Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID). 

Councillor Peter Nutting, leader of Shropshire Council, said: “The key message from Public Health England is that town centres need to allow as much space as possible for people to observe social distancing rules to help prevent the spread of the virus. 

“The most effective way of doing that is to reduce traffic from the centre of Shrewsbury so people are not restricted to only using pavements. 

“By allowing roads to be used by pedestrians, it gives more space for safe queuing zones outside shops, which is a key public health requirement.” 

All changes to road layouts and traffic movement will be carried out under formal ‘experimental traffic orders’, which means consultation will be carried out as the schemes are operational. They will all be operated on a trial basis, with the option to quickly remove them if necessary. 

Leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, Councillor Alan Mosley, said: “One of Shrewsbury’s charms is its narrow streets and medieval road layout, but that presents obvious challenges when trying to create more space for people to enjoy the town centre in a safe way. 

“Reducing through traffic and making the town centre more easily accessible on foot and cycle is one of the main priorities identified in the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan, and these temporary road closures are an ideal way of putting those plans into action. 

“However, we are all very aware that businesses need access for deliveries and I know colleagues within the recovery taskforce are speaking with businesses about how best to manage deliveries, and those conversations are ongoing within what is an excellent example of partnership working in the best interests of all those who live, work and visit our town.” 

Seb Slater, executive director of Shrewsbury BID, said people could suggest ideas to make the town centre safe on the Big Town Plan website at www.shrewsburybigtownplan.org 

He said: “Above all we want to make sure that local people and visitors feel welcome and safe coming to the town centre over the summer months. 

“Creating a pedestrian zone on key streets will allow more creative use of the space, such as safely-distanced seating zones. which could be used by cafes, bars and restaurants. It’s important to note that access to all town centre car parks will be maintained through this plan. 

“There are a range of other benefits of reducing through traffic, and we want to make the environment more welcoming so people are inclined to spend more time in the town centre whilst still maintaining social distancing. 

“We are discussing ways we can help businesses manage deliveries and will be announcing our further plans for promoting the town to visitors during these challenging times shortly.” 

http://www.birminghambiz.co.uk

Shropshire Business Podcast

Listen to the latest episode

2nd July 2019

New career hub set to launch

Live event will feature employers, schools and colleges

20th April 2021

Campaign celebrates summer in Shrewsbury

Aim is to energise the town centre and welcome customers back after lockdown

30th July 2020

Christmas window competition expands

Shrewsbury Business Chamber and BID join forces

17th November 2020

Shrewsbury Cup has successful first year

Reusable deposit scheme saves 30,000 single use cups

13th August 2020

Cricket club bowled over by new deal

Award-winning Salop Leisure sponsors coloured kit

7th May 2021

Retailer celebrates business milestone

Independent trader marks 15th anniversary

24th June 2021

Call for employers to take on apprentices

College urges firms to take up funding opportunities

23rd July 2020

Footfall in Shrewsbury evolves with new park

Car park is transformed as lockdown eases

9th July 2020

Work begins on state-of-the-art suite

University will have hi-tech simulation facilities by start of new term

11th August 2020

Future in focus in Shrewsbury

Big Town Plan Festival on the way

8th January 2021

Redundancy support for employers and apprentices

Companies urged to take on work-ready candidates

9th November 2020

Designer puts skills to good use on face coverings

Hayley J gets students involved

17th July 2020

Corporate membership continues to grow

Shropshire Chamber welcomes two more high-profile businesses

2nd November 2020

Colleges group backs Kickstart scheme

Local employers offered flexible support

2nd February 2021