How Truro city centre is being made Covid secure for when the shops reopen
The main streets will be pedestrianised again until June
Truro city centre will be pedestrianised again as part of measures to make the area Covid-secure when shops reopen.
The Truro partnership (Truro City Council, Truro BID and Visit Truro), along with Cornwall Council will be reinstating the temporary road closures to enable social distancing.
Official say it will give residents and visitors space to shop as we come out of the third national lockdown.
The roadmap sets out the reopening of non-essential shops, outdoor hospitality and close contact services from 12th April at the earliest.
To provide the best experience for the customer and happen along with the planned reopening of town centres, Truro’s main shopping streets will be traffic-free daily, Monday through to Sunday, from Monday 12th April during 11am until 3pm.
The road closures will be in place until Sunday 20th June to coincide with step 4 of the Government’s roadmap where covid-19 restrictions are expected to end from 21 June at the earliest.
The temporary road closures were first put in place when Truro reopened in June 2020 after the first national lockdown.
Since then, the Truro working group have met on a weekly basis to review the situation and, during lockdown three, discuss other Covid-19 related safety measures put in place by Cornwall Council’s public protection team.
By reinstating the road closure hours, the Truro partnership says it is continuing to show its commitment to the Government’s social distancing measures. The partnership is also supporting the local economy by giving residents across Cornwall and visitors reassurance to return to the high street.
As well as the streets being traffic-free, the social distancing signage will be refreshed with more signs placed across the city to remind everyone to keep left in the direction that they are walking.
“Truro City Council has been working closely with Truro BID and Cornwall Council to discuss covid-19 restrictions and safety measures on a weekly basis. It’s been agreed that to follow the Government’s roadmap and support social distancing, Truro’s main streets will be traffic-free again for residents and visitors at peak times until June.”
Roger Gazzard, Town Clerk of Truro City Council
“We’re delighted that the Government’s roadmap sets out that many of Truro’s business can reopen from 12th April and we hope to see all of Truro’s businesses being able to reopen over the coming months. Truro’s great selection of independent and national businesses are getting ready to welcome everyone back and with the main city centre streets traffic-free you can enjoy space whilst you shop.”
Alun Jones, Truro BID Manager