Work is underway in Brighton & Hove to support residents and businesses for the reopening of shops on Monday, June 15.As more government restrictions are lifted, Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) is introducing a number of changes to the city’s public spaces and transport network which, it is hoped, will mean shops can reopen safely, stay open and flourish in a secure environment during the coronavirus pandemic. Plans will also help residents and visitors to move safely around the city and encourage them to maintain physical distancing.
The measures include the widening of footways, new cycle lanes, banners and signage and engagement with local businesses about signs and outside seating.BHCC believe more space for people to visit shops, particularly in narrower parts of the city like Old Town and The Lanes, is important to keep people safe and support businesses in those areas to reopen safely.
BHCC has also produced advice for retail businesses around what they need to consider to protect staff and public safety and minimise the spread of Covid-19. This includes a number of simple poster options to download to help manage physical distancing.
Footway widening
Widening footways using temporary barriers and kerbs:
- Western Road, near Marks & Spencer and Waitrose.
- Church Road / Tisbury Road
- Outside St Andrew’s Church
- St James’s Street, near Morrisons
- London Road, near Aldi
- Old Town
To create these wider pedestrian areas, BHCC will need to suspend or relocate some parking, loading, disabled and electric vehicle charging bays, and relocate bus stops and refuse storage areas.
Temporary cycle lanes
- BHCC is installing flexible plastic wands on the A270 Old Shoreham Road to ensure that there is a physical barrier between cyclists and other traffic.
- Relocating road space to create a two-way cycle lane on the A23 south of Preston Park to Argyle Road. This is in addition to pavement widening further south on London Road.
Banners and signage
- New signs, banners and floor markings reminding people to physically distance (‘Give Space Keep Safe’) are being installed in key locations across the city. Enhanced signage will be used at narrow passageways and twittens.
- Floor stickers have also been placed along parts of the seafront, including Undercliff, to remind cyclists to take care when using spaces shared with pedestrians.
Councillor Anne Pissaridou, Chair of the council’s Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee, said:‘The pandemic has had a huge impact on our economy and we want to do everything we can to support businesses who want to reopen their doors to customers for the first time in almost three months. By doing so safely, we hope those businesses can remain open and thrive in Covid-19 secure city.
‘I would ask everyone to please be considerate and respect each other as you travel and shop around Brighton & Hove. Be very mindful of people with mobility issues, learning disabilities or visual or hearing impairments. Some people will find it harder to manage physical distancing and many disabilities are hidden. Only by working together can be make the city safer.’
For more info and to download posters for your business, check out the website here.
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