To maintain social distancing in Sidmouth town centre, painted social distancing markers, a one-way pavement system and the possible closure of narrow streets is to be introduced.
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The councils and chamber of commerce are taking steps to help Sidmouth ease the lockdown:
Strategies to open up Sidmouth: protecting shoppers and workers
Strategies to open up Sidmouth: more social distancing
Strategies to open up Sidmouth: making people feel safe
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Funding has now been made available to bring in safety measures:
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£130,000 allocated to East Devon to help struggling High Streets
East Devon will be receiving more than £130,000 from a £50 million fund to help struggling High Streets in the area bounce back after the Coronavirus outbreak.
A new £50 million fund for councils to support their local high streets get safely back to business announced today by High Streets Minister Simon Clarke (May 24).
The news has been welcomed by Sidmouth county councillor Stuart Hughes, who this morning tweeted: “Welcome the Government’s announcement of the reopening of the High Street’s fund for which East Devon District Council has received allocation and I look forward to seeing some of this funding allocated to Sidmouth.”
To prepare for the reopening of non-essential retail when the scientific advice allows, the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund will help councils in England introduce a range of safety measures in a move to kick-start local economies, get people back to work and customers back to the shops.
It will also support a range of practical safety measures including new signs, street markings and temporary barriers. This will help get businesses get ready for when they can begin trading safely, not only in high streets and town and city centres, but also in other public spaces like beach fronts and promenades.
Councils will also be able to use this money to develop local marketing campaigns to explain the changes to the public and reassure them that their high streets and other commercial areas are safe…
£130,000 allocated to East Devon to help struggling High Streets
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Meanwhile, some such measures are being put into place on the streets of Sidmouth:
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Sidmouth to get social distancing markers and a one-way pavements
“It’s worked in other places in Europe. I see no reason why it can’t work here in Sidmouth.”
To maintain social distancing in Sidmouth town centre, painted social distancing markers, a one-way pavement system and the possible closure of narrow streets is to be introduced. The new safeguards to help contain the spread of coronavirus could also include creating temporary paths to increase space.
High Street, Fore Street, and up to The Esplanade, New Street, Church Street and the Three- Cornered Plot are expected to be included in the one-way system. It will see pedestrians travel in a loop to avoid passing each other. Markings painted onto pavements using stencils will accurately show a two-metre distance, while others will urge pedestrians to ‘keep your distance’ and remind the public of the one-way system. It is expected the one-way route will start at the top of the High Street, take in Fore Street, up to The Esplanade.
Paint used for the pavement stencils showing the one-way system and correct social distance spacing will be non-permanent and fade over time. Pedestrians would be encouraged to keep to the one-way track and to cross the road onto the pavement opposite to make any return journey.
Other protection measures already in place include an extra path cut into grass at Long Park to allow for social distancing.
Councillor Stuart Hughes and small team of Devon County Council Highways and Sidmouth Town Council maintenance workers could begin the stencil painting as early as Wednesday next week. The plan is for the town to be ready for when businesses are allowed to reopen.
Cllr Hughes told East Devon News: “If you are going down the town, you come up the other way straight back up to the top of town.
“If you go into Tesco, you have got a one-way system. If you miss something in one of the aisles, you have to go around the shop again. It’s not going to be a as bad as that because it doesn’t stop you crossing the road. You can do that. You go down one way and come back up the other side.
“If it works elsewhere, why can’t it work in Sidmouth? You always get some people that won’t take any notice. If the majority of people stick by it, it’s going to make Sidmouth a safer place to visit. It’s worked in other places in Europe. I see no reason why it can’t work here in Sidmouth to enhance the shopping experience and make it safe for the population, the residents of Sidmouth and visitors.”
Sidmouth to get social distancing markers and a one-way pavements | devonlive.com
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But some streets will be easier than others -as in the narrow entrance to the High Street:
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photo: google maps