Shaftesbury High Street could remain partially closed to traffic
A survey claims most residents and businesses are in favour
Shaftesbury High Street could remain partially closed to traffic – if the idea gets the backing of Dorset Council.
The part pedestrianisation, which has continued throughout much of the past year, has been such a success that most residents and business want to keep it.
Town and Dorset councillor Piers Brown is now leading a campaign to allow the measures to stay in place. He says that more than 80 per cent who responded to recent surveys support the idea.
The Traffic Regulation Order which allows the 9am to 4pm part pedestrianisation and a one-way system is expected to come to an end on June 21, if the Government’s remaining restrictions are lifted.
Cllr Brown is now exploring ways of extending the order and is asking the town council at its meeting this Tuesday (25th) to back his plea for Dorset Council to allow the pedestrianisation scheme to continue.
Some traffic has been able to access the street throughout the period, but only buses and delivery vehicles, with the closure being policed by marshals paid for by the town council as there are no barriers to physically stop access to the street.
Cllr Brown says he now finds the High Street a delightful place to meet up with family and friends and believes the pedestrianisation has helped the town’s economy.
“We have had four more shops open during the period and there are only two businesses empty, or under offer in the street…it has become a pleasant place to be,” he said.
With new traffic orders likely to take anything between three months and 18 months to bring into place, assuming Dorset Council agree, interim measures to keep the scheme will also be considered, possibly using a temporary traffic order.
Cllr Brown admits that there could be a period where the High Street returns to what it was, assuming new orders can be agreed, but says he is exploring ways to avoid that, if possible.