By Council ready Cleethorpes for socially-distanced shopping
North East Lincolnshire Council have announced that they will be making major changes to Cleethorpes, in order to make it ready for socially-distanced shopping ahead of the reopening of non-essential shops on June 15.
This will see some shopping streets pedestrianised, or converted into one-way systems.
The changes affect Cleethorpes’ major shopping areas, including St Peter’s Avenue, Sea View Street, and Market Street.
Following the relaxation of some of the Government’s lock-down measures, the Council have been looking at various approaches to providing people with enough room to circulate safely around the resort, and enable them to follow social distancing guidelines.
Plans were initially put in place for the Central and North Proms as people were allowed to exercise in the open air for longer and meet other people in public.
However, the focus has now turned to retail areas.
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, Cabinet member for highways, said:
“We’ve been assessing various town centre areas in terms of space available to circulate, and have been monitoring how people are using the areas.
“We’ve already closed Central Prom for the foreseeable future – we know this is an area of high footfall, whatever the weather, and an attraction for visitors. There are other car parks in Cleethorpes which, even on last weekend with the sunny weather, are being underused.
“North Prom is closed to traffic as and when the area becomes busy. This will be even more important as the retailers on North Prom start to open their doors.
“We have a duty of care, as a council, to try to make sure there is enough room for people to circulate. What we can’t control is what people actually do, and Government has instructed us, and every other local authority, to put plans in place to help.
“It’s clear that there’s a number of points in the resort where people currently can’t maintain social distance easily, and the plans we’re putting in place will help address this.”
Plans drawn up by Engie have now been approved and released.
St Peter’s Avenue will become one way for vehicles from Mill Road / Cambridge Street roundabout to High Street, and Market Street will become one way for vehicles from St Peter’s Avenue to Alexandra Road.
On-street parking bays will be suspended on both, with barriers installed to allow people to walk safely within the parking bays.
It is expected that loading bays will be maintained.
Sea View Street will be pedestrianised completely, but access to New Road will be maintained.
The Council has said that given the urgency of the works, local businesses have not been consulted.
“We recognise that these plans will cause some disruption across the resort,” continued Councillor Swinburn.
“But we need to make sure that we’re doing what we can to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 whilst also encouraging people to shop in the high street. North East Lincolnshire is a great place, with enormous community spirit and strength.”
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