“making it easier for people to make short journeys on foot or by bike”
.
Over the last months, the county council has been putting various low-car and car-free policies into place – to give pedestrians more space and to encourage us to use our motorcars a little less:
New cycle lanes and wider pavements: promoted in Devon – Vision Group for Sidmouth
.
In Sidmouth this has meant wider streets and less traffic:
Making Sidmouth streets safe and welcoming – Vision Group for Sidmouth
Part-pedestrianisation for Sidmouth town centre – Vision Group for Sidmouth
.
With the suggestion last year that this might all become permanent this year:
Part-pedestrianisation for Sidmouth town centre for 2021? – Vision Group for Sidmouth
.
And that’s what’s happened, as reported in the East Devon News:
Traffic restrictions in Sidmouth town centre set to be made permanent
.
With the full council press release here:
.
Measures introduced to support walking and cycling
Plans are now also being put forward to make current traffic restrictions in Sidmouth permanent. Old Fore Street is proposed to be made a pedestrian zone with access for cyclists, and motor vehicles will only be able to access Church Street, New Street, Chapel Street, Dove Lane and Kings Lane, if they have a permit or if they are loading or unloading. A number of limited waiting bays in the town will be converted to loading bays.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “It’s great to see excellent progress being made with the Active Travel schemes right across the county. Travel habits have changed over the past year with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and by improving our highway network with these schemes it’s making it easier for people to make short journeys on foot or by bike. From my own experience in Sidmouth, the Town Council and Chamber of Commerce feel the town centre has been improved by the temporary measures which is why we’re now looking to make them permanent.”
Measures introduced to support walking and cycling – News centre
.
photo: Archive photo – Old Fore Street in Sidmouth. Image: Google Maps: from East Devon News:
Traffic restrictions in Sidmouth town centre set to be made permanent