Social distancing measures for Knutsford backed by businesses

Cheshire East Council has released street plans showing social distancing awareness signs and temporary road closures which are due to be introduced by June 15.

The signs and closures are part of a range of measures being brought in to protect people and support local businesses in 16 towns and larger villages ready for high street lockdown restrictions being lifted.

The proposals for Knutsford

Julia Chard from Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe in Knutsford has welcomed plans to enable shoppers to socially distance in Knutsford from June 15, when non-essential shops are due to reopen.

Julia said: "I welcome the changes and have supported the council in its proposals. Unfortunately our town centre design and narrow pavements do not allow for effective social distancing, whilst cars are parked on the street.

"Since lockdown eased I have been doing doorstep sales and have had to put no parking cones outside my shop every day to leave sufficient room for pedestrians to safely walk around any customers who may be making an order at the door.

"Our pavement is less than a metre wide outside the shop. On Friday we had a queue across the road from The Angel up to the solicitors offices. Imagine how it will be when all our fabulous businesses are open?

"Customers have thanked me for putting measures in place, with many mums saying it's the first time they have been into Knutsford with their children since lockdown.

"We have to be aware that customers are nervous and need to put these measures in place so they feel relaxed and confident to return to shop on our local high streets.

"Two hours free parking in the town’s car parks will give sufficient time for customers to shop.

"Car parks have been two-thirds empty through lockdown, and extra parking being made available at local bars/restaurants will be a great help too."

Richard Clare, Director of Clare and Illingworth Opticians said: "The temporary street closures will be really positive for the town and for local businesses navigating this ‘new normal’ in the short term.

"It’s so encouraging to see help and support from our local council and is a great way to offer residents the chance to visit the independent retailers and services on their doorstep in a safe way."

Chris Eversfield, the owner of Serenity in Princess Street, said: "As retailers we’re doing a lot of work to create safer in-store shopping environments, so the creation of wider pavements through suspended parking, reduced traffic in certain areas and improved signage around Knutsford can only be a good thing provided it’s regularly reviewed and feedback considered.

"It would be nice if there could be some waiver on parking charges for a period as an extra incentive for people to come into town but that’s one for Cheshire East but in the meantime with a number of local businesses offering their parking areas should help too.”

Debbie Jamison said: "Knutsford clearly has to do something in the town centre to fully reopen under the Covid-19 social distancing restrictions.

"Knutsford has narrow pavements and small shops where social distancing is impossible unless queues can form outside and people step into the road to pass.

"I welcome the Government call to councils to consider temporary measures to allow High Streets to open as son as possible.

"People will only return to the shops if they feel that their safety in line with social distancing can be secured. 

"In town, people have already found they have to step into the road to meet the social distancing advice.

"It is a no-brainer that for Knutsford to fully reopen the only way to provide wider footways is to remove on-street car parking and put temporary markers for the footpath edge in that space.

"Parking for those with a disability can be increased on both King and Princess Streets in two specific places where the footway is wider opposite King Street Kitchen and Costa Coffee. 

"In future I would like to see the lower end of Church Hill and Malt Street closed to vehicles and some investment in routes that people use to walk and cycle into the town centre.

"The three obvious junction points that would benefit from new crossings are on the A50 at Garden Road, A50 at Leycester Road/Beggarmans Lane and on the Mobberley Road at the Thorneyholme Brandon Drive St Cross Church.

"To encourage many more people to keep up their new-found cycling and walking routes by feeling safe as vehicles return to the road, I would like also to see Knutsford adopt 20mph limit where we currently have 30mph.

"There is also the exciting prospect of providing separate cycleways along all the main roads joining up employment and leisure destinations.

"The A50 from Mere to Barclays Radbroke Hall stands out as does improving the Mobberley Road to Parkgate Industrial estate."

Paul Bonner from Bikes n Gear Ltd in King Street said: “King Street has been absolutely wonderful without cars parking on it during the first part of lockdown.

“I can certainly see the attraction, from a pedestrian point of view, of no cars on the street, especially with the advice on social distancing and the amount of pavement available for this.

“It seems obvious to me there is a balance to be found when trying to entice people back into the town centre, and the first thing people will want to feel is safe when walking around.

“Distancing themselves from others without weaving in and out of cars will be significantly less stressful for people when walking or queuing to get into a shop or business.

“For those businesses that feel the only way their customers will visit them is because of their ability to drive into town, then of course they can still do so by taking advantage of the many car parks dotted around the town.

“We have a unique opportunity to try something different, temporarily at least, whilst maximising the safety of the residents and workers of Knutsford.”

hat do you think of the Cheshire East proposals? Email ian.ross@nqnw.co.uk