Should roads closed to traffic in Harborough town centre amid the Covid-19 crisis be re-opened? Council is asking for your views

You are being asked if roads closed to traffic in Market Harborough town centre amid the Covid-19 crisis should be re-opened.

Harborough council is asking residents and businesses to give their views on temporary road changes enforced as shops have opened again over the last few weeks.

The district council is acting after shopkeepers and traders such as Age UK in Market Harborough are calling for Church Street and Adam and Eve Street to be re-opened now as footfall has plunged.

Harborough council, backed by Leicestershire County Council, has taken action to encourage social distancing as shoppers return to the high street as lockdown restrictions are eased.

Other measures put in place have included ‘Highstreet Helpers’ wearing high-visibility vests, public hand sanitiser stations and street markings to show people where to queue.

Cllr Phil King, who leads Harborough District Council, said: "We’ve introduced measures which have been in place now for a number of weeks and we would like people’s views on what they feel is working and what perhaps isn’t working.

"This feedback, along with footfall counters and other data, can ensure any temporary measures are based on evidence as well as compliance with Government policy to combat the virus.”

Current temporary road changes in place are:

Market Harborough

· Closure to traffic of Adam and Eve Street between St Mary’s Road and the junction with Factory Lane (i.e. the access road next to Harborough Theatre) and the suspension of the on-street parking.

· Introduction of two-way traffic along the section of Church Square running from the junction with Roman Way to Factory Lane and the suspension of the on-street parking along this section of Church Square.

· Blue Badge parking bays remain.

· Closure of Church Street between High Street and Church Square and suspension of on-street parking.

· No access from King’s Road on to Church Street.

· Suspension of on-street parking on parts of High Street and Coventry Road.

Lutterworth

· Suspension of on-street parking on Church St to enable social distancing and safe queueing.

Kibworth Beauchamp

· Suspension of on-street parking on part of High Street up to Blue Badge parking bay which remains.

Fleckney

· Introduction of advisory 20mph speed limit on High Street.

Broughton Astley

· Introduction of a small one-way system – travelling north up Main Street and then east and south down Green Street.

All road changes are continuing to be regularly monitored and reviewed, the council said.

If you would like to take part in the survey then go to www.harborough.gov.uk/roadchangessurvey

The closing date for feedback is 5pm on Tuesday July 28.