Warwick road changes to be altered following backlash

Changes that have been made to roads in Warwick are set to be altered following backlash from residents and businesses.

This week The Courier shared a story about how businesses and residents were frustrated with the road changes in the town with some saying it would 'kill the town'.

Last weekend going into Monday, Warwickshire County Council implemented changes across the town including road closures and one-way systems.

These are part of the council's plans to help 'safe social distancing' but these changes have been criticised and some called for the measures to be removed.

Following a consultation with businesses Warwickshire County Council is looking to make some changes over the weekend.

The council said that after the ongoing consultation with the businesses, the Chamber of Trade, Warwick District Council and Warwick Town Council, the county council has 'taken comments on board and, where practicable, made some adaptations to the schemes'.

The changes to the Warwick scheme include:

~ Re-open Puckerings Lane, Brook Street and Market Street, round past the Bus Interchange to Bowling Green Street

~ Reinstate all on-street parking along that length including access to disabled parking

~ Reinstate the one-way system at the exit of the New Street Car Park

~ Taxis are being retained on Barrack Street and Cape Road.

Sue Butcher, chair of the Warwick Chamber of Trade, said: "We are pleased that the county council has taken notice of the concerns of the businesses and removed these measures.

"We look forward to them reviewing the one-way system in High Street."

Some changes were also made to the scheme in Leamington. This included:

~ Open up the Blue Badge parking opposite the Town Hall

~ Install a temporary bus stop at Beauchamp Road

~ Install a bench halfway up The Parade outside Tesco

~ Remove the traffic lane outside Aubrey Allen to allow for safe queuing

Cllr Jeff Clarke, portfolio holder for transport and planning at Warwickshire County Council, said: “We have been listening to all of our key partners in the towns and have taken comments on board around changes we could make to the plans that were initially agreed in the centres.

“When we installed the schemes it was to make the town centres safe for businesses to reopen on June 15.

"We had to act quickly, prioritising public safety while creating an environment in which businesses could reopen and the public could visit town centres with confidence.

“But this is a very fast-moving situation, with guidance changing rapidly, and our schemes would need the flexibility to adapt to that.

"We always said that once they had been installed, in line with Government expectations, that we would then be open to listening and adapting.

"It appears, in both of these towns, that having agreed the changes with members of the local business community, work will be done quickly.

"I am pleased that we have been able to come to such a swift resolution to local businesses’ concerns and thank them for working with us.”

Information about the scheme can be found at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/covid19roadlayouts