Changes are coming to Warwick town centre - but there are concerns on the impact on businesses

The schemes includes one-way systems, closing areas to traffic and suspending parking
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Several changes will be made to Warwick town centre to allow 'safe social distancing' around the town but concerns have been raised about the impact on businesses.

Temporary highways schemes have been put together for the town by a partnership between Warwickshire County Council (WCC), Warwick District Council (WDC) and other partners.

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They have said that these will 'provide additional space for pedestrians to safely circulate, for customers to queue outside shops and for businesses to expand to meet customer needs, whilst balancing other considerations such as deliveries, residents access and maintaining disabled parking'.

Changes are coming to the roads in Warwick Town Centre. Photo take pre-lockdownChanges are coming to the roads in Warwick Town Centre. Photo take pre-lockdown
Changes are coming to the roads in Warwick Town Centre. Photo take pre-lockdown

The Warwick scheme includes introducing a one-way east bound traffic flow on High Street and Jury Street and one-way north bound traffic flow on The Butts.

The following town centre streets will be closed to traffic; Swan Street, Brook Street, Market Street, Market Place and The Holloway.

The New Street car park will remain open with the northern section of New Street becoming two-way and the southern section being closed.

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Parking will be suspended on Smith Street and Banbury Road and Castle Hill will narrowed to a single lane northbound between the River Avon bridge and East Gate to create additional space for pedestrians and cyclists.

Changes are coming to the roads in Warwick Town Centre. Photo take pre-lockdownChanges are coming to the roads in Warwick Town Centre. Photo take pre-lockdown
Changes are coming to the roads in Warwick Town Centre. Photo take pre-lockdown

The county council also said that steps are being taken to 'provide parking for town centre users and residential permit holders in council owned car parks to replace suspended on-street parking'.

The Market Place taxi rank is being relocated to Barrack Street.

The space created by the measures will create areas for customers waiting for shops to queue whilst allowing pedestrians to circulate safely.

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Access will be maintained for loading, deliveries and collections, with marshals being located at selected road closure points, as businesses continue to rely on this to operate.

Changes are coming to the roads in Warwick Town Centre. Photo take pre-lockdownChanges are coming to the roads in Warwick Town Centre. Photo take pre-lockdown
Changes are coming to the roads in Warwick Town Centre. Photo take pre-lockdown

It is hoped that the schemes will be introduced next week to coincide with the reopening of non-essential shops from June 15.

Traffic management equipment such as cones and barriers will be used to safely segregate people from motor traffic.

The councils also have plans to work with local art groups to consider options for improving the appearance of barriers to ensure the distinctive look and feel of the town can be retained.

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Cllr Jeff Clarke, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for transport and planning, said: “We have been working with our key partners to bring forward these plans to temporarily change road layouts as part of our response to the public health crises created by Covid-19 and to reinvigorate our town centres and support the economic recovery.

"We have had to act swiftly which has prevented widespread community engagement, but we will be monitoring the scheme carefully and will adapt them as necessary to ensure they remain suitable and appropriate to local needs and conditions.

“The plans will help businesses operate, give the public confidence that they can safely return to use and enjoy the town centres and give our businesses and communities a much-needed boost.”

After the announcement of these new measures, Warwick Chamber of Trade have said that they are concerned about the impact of the schemes on the town and the lack of consultation and communication they have had from the county council.

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Sue Butcher, Chair of Warwick Chamber of Trade, said: "The chamber became aware of these proposals just over a week ago.

"We had suggested WCC giving up spaces in their Barrack Street and Cape Road car parks to compensate for the loss of spaces in the town, and they agreed but this is not mentioned in the final draft.

"Yesterday (June 10) representatives of the chamber, town council, town clerk, Helen from WDC Events and CJ’s market organiser did a walk through the town centre and raised a number of concerns with WCC – we are still waiting for a response.

"We are very concerned about the impact these proposals will have on businesses trying to re-open and by the lack of consultation and communications from WCC."