Two-way traffic is BACK in St Peter’s Avenue
SOCIAL DISTANCING BARRIERS REMOVED FROM MARKET PLACE
CLEETHORPES has showed off its new normal yesterday as social distancing measures were removed - as the exact opposite happens nationally. Tight new measures announced by Boris Johnson on Tuesday in a bid to curb surging coronavirus cases across the UK. The new rules include forcing pubs, restaurants and bars to close at 10pm, a reduction in the number of people who can attend weddings and limiting the number of people who can play sport indoors to six. People are also being told to work from home if possible.
Rules on face coverings were also extended, with people now being told to wear them while in taxis and private hire vehicles and in pubs and restaurants except when seated to eat or drink. Staff working in hospitality and retail will also have to wear face coverings.
Mr Johnson said the new rules will be enforceable by law and said the military could be called in to assist police in ensuring people comply. Meanwhile, however, as North East Lincolnshire’s cases remain low, the council wants to get Cleethorpes “back to normal”, and is removing concrete barriers installed to help social distancing when non-essential shops reopened in June.
They essentially served to widen the pavements, but meant that affected streets became one-way or lost parking spaces.
On Tuesday night, work started to remove them from St Peter’s Avenue and the Market Place, meaning the
were market had more space again. They were also due to be removed from Central Prom.
A North East Lincolnshire Council spokesman said: “The barriers were installed as lockdown was lifted in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic to help people maintain social distance. “But given the low infection rate in the area, and the time of year, the barriers are being removed in order to help the resort get back to normal.” Councillor Stewart Swinburn, North East Lincolnshire Council cabinet member for highways, said: “I’m very proud of our record in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and it’s partly due to diligence of our community that the infection rate remains one of the lowest in the country.
“As a result, we feel it’s the right time for us to start to remove the barriers as people have started to take personal responsibility for social distancing, and more understand the impact of their actions.”
“Once removed, all traffic flow around the resort will return to normal, with two way traffic reinstated on St Peter’s Avenue. The barriers on Sea Road will remain to maintain the pedestrian walkway outside the old Waves site. All parking charges will return to normal from Saturday September 26.
“We will keep the situation under review with our public health colleagues,” said Councillor Swinburn. He added: “The virus hasn’t gone away and people need to continue to social distance as per the Government guidelines.”
Given the low infection rate in the area, and the time of year, the barriers are being removed in order to help the resort get back to
normal
Council spokesperson