TOWN COUNCIL
29
th
July 2020
Re-opening High Streets Safely Fund
1. Introduction and reason for report
1.1 New Forest District Council, has invited proposals from town and parish
councils for local schemes which can be considered for inclusion in its
Action Plan for use of its share of the Re-opening High Streets Safely
Fund. Some initial ideas were considered by the Policy & Finance
Committee when it met on 17
th
June (see minute ref. F/5809). A further
decision is needed from members now.
2. Background information and options
2.1 The first element of the proposal put to committee was for ‘Be Alert’ packs
(containing materials designed to help local businesses to re-open safely)
to be quickly assembled and made available to those businesses free of
charge. It is understood that this element meets the eligibility criteria for
this funding and is likely to be included in the Action Plan. Ringwood
Surplus Store kindly assembled the packs and facilitated their distribution
at cost. Several councillors have also helped with the design and the
distribution arrangements.
2.2 The second element involved physical changes to the roads, pavements
and traffic flow designed to create more space for pedestrians to queue
and move about safely whilst observing social distancing requirements.
This was referred to Hampshire Highways who sent an engineer to visit
the town and advise on options.
2.3 The engineer advised that the management of traffic by volunteers was
unlikely to be practical (because of the training and equipment needs) or
supported by HCC. He suggested that both the volume and speed of the
vehicular traffic would probably reduce if the West Street/A31 junction
were to be closed. He did not rule out other measures to restrict the traffic
flow (e.g. arranging a ‘one-way’ system along High Street and Meeting
House Lane) but felt that any such attempt would require loss of on-street
parking and delivery space, which might not command support from the
traders and could lead to other difficulties.
2.4 The first question, therefore, is whether members wish to press NFDC to
include the early closure of the junction in their Action Plan. This would be
a ‘temporary’ measure only in the sense that it would be effected by the
use of removable barriers, signage, etc. It would NOT be the acceleration
of the final closure (involving groundworks, permanent signage, etc.) – but
it would probably remain in effect until that permanent closure occurs. (It
is understood that this proposal would, in principle, meet the eligibility
criteria for the funding.)
2.5 The second question is whether members wish to press for any further
traffic control or other measures to be included in the plan.
2.6 Local district and county councillors have been involved in discussions
about possible use of the Fund in Ringwood. Our County Councillor has
expressed his support in principle for the early closure of the junction but
not for any further traffic measures.
