Calls for more pedestrianisation in Aylesbury

Temporary road closures have been put in place to encourage social distancing and more customers in some streets.

Author: Scarlett Bawden-GaulPublished 4th Sep 2020

Could we see more Aylesbury town centre streets pedestrianised?

Recently two streets have been closed to traffic during the day in Aylesbury town centre to encourage social distancing.

Tables, chairs and benches have been placed on George Street and Cambridge Street so customers of the pubs and restaurants can sit outside.

However, Poonam from Holy Cow says its increased footfall for her shop too:

"It has been great for us, its given us more footfall which has been great for us.

"We would love to see it going forward, I understand there are some mixed views but I think it is a positive for the town.

"If it encourages more people to come in and browse and hang around that is ideal.

"The pavements here are so narrow it is actually better for pedestrians just walking down the street."

The move has allowed Holy Cow to hold tea tasting sessions on Saturdays, something that wouldn't have been possible before.

Businesses on Market Street have now approached Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership to see if the scheme could be extending to them.

They say the narrow street makes it difficult for people to socially distance.

There are questions about how long these street closures will last though.

According to one shop worker, there are some issues that need to be sorted out first:

"I definitely think it's been good for the young children walking up and down the street, because it was a danger with the boy racers going up and down.

"It has been a bit of a pain for deliveries for the shop though.

"It would be best to discuss extending it, because it is a business orientated street but I can see the benefits."