Town council welcomes new measures to create safe spaces in Leamington as lockdown restrictions start to be lifted

In a bid to maintain vital social distancing the Government has announced funding to improve provision in town centres.

In responding to Government guidelines, Warwick District and Warwickshire County Council have put forward plans including safe spaces for shoppers to queue and improved walking, cycling and bus provisions which the town council is pleased to endorse.

Cllr Susan Rasmussen, in her first meeting a chairwoman of the town council, said “I’m delighted to report that the town council unanimously agreed, in a motion contributed to by Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors, to welcome Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County Council’s work in bringing forward a road space re-allocation scheme, as a response to the COVID-19 crisis.

"In line with what the people of Leamington said they wanted during the 3 years of consultation for our Neighbourhood Plan, walkers and cyclists are being given priority in much of the town centre.

"This will not only to give more space for queueing and social distancing, but it is the start of a sea-change in the way we move around Leamington."

Leamington Town Council would also encourage the County Council and its partners to investigate opportunities to extend the town centre 20mph speed limit and to bring forward proposals for a network of segregated, joined-up cycleways, which are linked across parts of Leamington as well as to other towns.