Temporary road closures and widened pavements are set to be introduced as town centres across Adur and Worthing get ready to fully open for business on June 15.
Social distancing measures in Worthing, Shoreham, Lancing and Southwick are being drawn up by officers of Adur & Worthing Councils and stencils and signs promoting one way walking routes and two-metre spacing are already being stencilled onto pavements and walkways.
In consultation with West Sussex County Council, which has responsibility for highways. Temporary road closures are being sought in Portland Road, Montague Place and Montague Street West in Worthing and East Street north and St Mary’s Road east in Shoreham.
These measures, for a maximum of 18 months, are to ensure social distancing is still possible in tight spaces for pedestrians and cyclists although allowances will be made for delivery vehicles.
Meanwhile Adur & Worthing Councils’ Public Health and Regulation Team has been working with local businesses to ensure a smooth reopening. Businesses can access a wide range of advice and support concerning reopening at www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-advice/
So far six food and drink outlets have been given permission to sell alcohol as ‘off sales’ which means either as takeaway or within permissible outside areas such as beer gardens. Another ten are working with officers from the Councils to seek such permissions which could see more alfresco eating and drinking.
A government grant of £56,000 to Adur and £98,000 to Worthing under the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund will help pay for implementation of many of the measures.
The Councils will be working with businesses and organisations such as West Sussex County Council, Worthing’s Town Centre Initiative (TCI) and the independent traders to develop the plans.
In the meantime discussions are underway with organisers and traders about the timing of the opening of open-air markets with the farmers’ market at Shoreham July 11 likely to be the first up and running.
Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Cllr Kevin Jenkins, ‘We are working hard with West Sussex County Council, the TCI and traders to help make visitors to the town centre feel comfortable coming back and thus happy to enjoy some time sampling the excellent retail and food and drink outlets we have to offer. This is about helping businesses get back on their feet while continuing to make everyone feel safe.’’
His counterpart at Adur District Council, Cllr Brian Boggis, said, ‘We want to be doing everything we can to create an environment where, on June 15, our traders can begin to rebuild their businesses but we need to do so while keeping everyone safe and well. These measures will achieve that balance.’
