Published: Friday 12th June 2020 | 2.46pm
Social distancing signing and information to remind people to ‘Stay Alert’, subways where you keep left, the temporary suspension of parking bays, and the full return of the street cleansing service feature as part of measures to keep shoppers and retailers safe as non-essential retail is allowed to re-open from Monday (15 June).
The measures are in addition to discussions Council officers have had with local retailers, banks, market traders, town councils, trader associations and Cannock Town Centre Partnership on supporting Cannock, Rugeley and Hednesford town centres as the lockdown is eased by government.
Funding of £89,622 from the European Regional Development Fund has been received from the government as part of its Reopening High Streets Safely Fund to finance these measures and to support future work as required.
Apart from the subways in Cannock town centre, the measures will not necessitate any one way systems being introduced or the closure of roads to vehicles to allow for pedestrians to socially distance. Furthermore, benches will not be closed off, planters removed or green spaces made inaccessible.
Instead, new signage will remind people to keep 2 metres apart and how to stay safe. The signage is being deployed in areas of high footfall such as Market Hall Street in Cannock where this part of the outdoor market will be temporarily moved to Market Place when it returns on 19 June, at Council owned car parks and at bus station shelters.
Indoor shopping centres will have their own signage and measures in place. Meanwhile the Council owned Cannock Indoor Market and Rugeley Market Hall are planning to open soon but with one way systems, social distancing and hand sanitisers all in use.
Working with the Highways Department at Staffordshire County Council to plan and implement the new signage and adjustments, the measures will see the parking bays on Church Street in Cannock suspended during next week for the immediate future to allow for the widening of the pavement and queuing outside Boots and bank ATMs. The disabled parking bays will remain in use.
The Council will avoid painting on pavements to remind people of social distancing and concentrate on installing signage incorporating the government messaging to ‘Stay Alert’ on existing signposts, lamp posts, benches and street furniture.
Councillor Gordon Alcott, Portfolio Leader for Town Centre Regeneration said of the measures: “Our approach will be very visible but at the same time is being done sensitively so as not to distract too much from the experience of shopping in our town centres.
“We know lots of people like to visit our town centres and have missed the opportunity to buy the wide range of goods and services offered in our friendly and welcoming town centres.
“Quite rightly our emphasis is on making things as safe as we possibly can. In return we call on everyone to help achieve this by respecting social distancing and the government’s guidance when you do come to support our valued retailers.”
Helen Fisher, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Transport and Highways, said: “We’re working with Cannock Chase Council to help where we can and we’ve been out on the streets to look at potential ‘hot spots’ and ‘pinch points’.
“New arrangements are being considered where needed and it’s up to us all to make this work by following the spirit of social distancing.
“If we’re polite, patient and use common sense we can work together to help our High Street businesses and keep infection rates down.”
When using public transport, including buses from the bus stations, residents are reminded that they will need to wear a face covering from 15 June.
All the measures will be kept under regular review and further actions will be taken as necessary such as introducing barriers for queuing on pavements if required.
Note to Editors:
- European Regional Development Fund
The project (either has received or is receiving up to) £89,622 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.
Photograph:
Councillor Gordon Alcott, Portfolio Leader for Town Centre Regeneration.