Measures may not be enough, councillors fear

Local democracy reporter COUNCILLORS in “high alert” Glossopdale suggest Tier 2 Covid-19 lockdown may not be enough and should have been brought in sooner.

Borough and county councillors representing Glossopdale, set to be under Tier 2 restrictions from today, say they are not overly surprised at the area’s plunge into local lockdown.

This is due to a consistently higher number of cases in the High Peak compared to the rest of Derbyshire and Derby – and particularly in Glossopdale, which borders Tameside.

Cllr Robert McKeown, who represents Hadfield South on High Peak Borough Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It doesn’t surprise me at all, we are right on the border with Tameside and a lot of people go to college and work there and the healthcare provider and the hospital, which had a bad run a while ago with cases.

“It is my opinion that we should all be wearing masks all the time.

“I think most people here are quite sensible and everybody looks after each other up here, especially the vulnerable.

“I think lockdown was lifted too soon and I think this should have been done sooner.

“Apparently in Glossop there are still large groups of people gathering late at night, I’ve had comments through over the past few weeks, people outside of pubs not social-distancing.

“People need to take notice of what is being said this time. Pubs will close at 10pm. The only issue with that is that everybody will be out on the street at 10pm.

“Quite often when I have been on licensing panels I have checked on what neighbouring premises do and argued to stagger the closing time so we don’t have everyone leaving at the same time.

“I am actually hoping that people realise that Christmas is only seven or eight weeks away and that if they want any sort of normal Christmas where perhaps they can have relatives over or visit relatives, they have got to abide by it, or this could go on until next year.”

Cllr George Wharmby, who represents Glossop on Derbyshire County Council and the borough council, said: “I am obviously disappointed but if it is essential, it is essential. We’ve got to respect people’s lives and if we can protect lives we should.

“The thing I am worried about is businesses, how they’ll be affected, although I know restaurants can stay open.

“I don’t think it is overkill and I am worried that we will go into higher measures over the winter in general – not necessarily just Glossop. That does worry me.

“I am glad they haven’t totally locked us down, so that we can still go out to restaurants in households, but we have got to protect the hospital, it is always under stress in the winter and this will put on further pressure. We have got to have these measures to protect the NHS.”

Cllr Rachel Abbotts, who represents the Howard Town ward in Glossop on the borough council, said: “Cases are rising in Glossop and because we are near to Manchester I would say it is probably important to implement this.

“Whether they have gone far enough, I am not sure. It would probably be better to do it for all of the High Peak.

“People from Glossop go to other places and people come from Buxton to go shopping here, as well as all the travel to Manchester.

“I do feel this should have been done sooner and the Government need to get a handle on it. We have got winter coming up and cases are probably going to get worse.”

Cllr Paul Hardy, who represents the Old Glossop ward on the borough council, said: “I think 70 to 80 per cent of the population are doing the right thing and the rest don’t care. I think some of the younger generations aren’t doing as much because they think it won’t affect them as much.”

From today residents in Glossopdale will not be allowed to mix indoors with other households – this includes venues such as pubs and restaurants.

There will also be an emphasis to travel only when it is essential.

Organised sport will only be allowed outdoors and spectators will not be permitted at amateur or professional sporting events.

Care homes will be closed to external visitors other than in “exceptional circumstances”.

The extra restrictions will be reviewed after four weeks.