Following the Government’s announcement to establish a £250 million “Emergency Active Travel Fund” to help council’s reallocate road space for cyclists and pedestrians by introducing temporary cycling and walking facilities, and to support social distancing, Cumbria County Council took a decision on 20 June 2020, under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to introduce the temporary restrictions to traffic in Penrith to meet the Government’s expectation to provide more space for cyclists and pedestrians.
The temporary measures in the town have been reviewed on a weekly basis by council officers, Members and stakeholders and as a result of feedback, changes have been made since they were brought in on 20 June.
Following the latest review meeting today, county council officers confirmed that things have sufficiently changed enough to remove the remaining temporary measures. On the whole, people are maintaining good social distancing practices and an advisory one way walking route through the narrows is in place which in the main is being adhered to. The imminent introduction of the mandatory wearing of face coverings whilst shopping will also help to reduce risk and change behaviour.
The King Street closure and barriers restricting parking on Middlegate and Devonshire Street will be removed tomorrow morning (Saturday). Volunteer marshalls will be in place near to the crossing on Kings Street to remind pedestrians of vehicles now moving around this area.
Cumbria County Councillor, Phil Dew, Chair of Eden Local Committee said: “The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted negatively on the lives and health of many people across Eden but with less traffic on the roads it has also resulted in cleaner air and quieter streets. Because of this many people have re-discovered the benefits of cycling and walking and it would be good if people could continue to travel in this way. In the meantime members of Eden Local Committee are pleased that the situation has improved in Penrith to such an extent that we have been able to relax the traffic restrictions but I would stress that people still need to be alert to the threat posed by Covid-19.”
Any further reviews to vehicle and pedestrian movements through Penrith town centre will be carried out as part of the Penrith Reopening Safely Group involving Cumbria County Council, Eden District Council and Penrith Town Council plus a range of local stakeholders.
