red tape hits Bank St alfresco takeover
Leader appeals to Government as virus bounce-back plan vetoed
LOCKDOWN-BUSTING plans for a one-way system on Rawtenstall’s high street to facilitate alfresco dining have been scuppered. Rossendale council leader Alyson
Barnes has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking him to intervene immediately in the ‘ludicrous’ saga with Lancashire County Council over Bank Street.
Talks revealed that Rawtenstall traders wanted temporary additional external trading areas during the summer months for food and hospitality businesses, hit particularly hard by social distancing requirements. However, when the final plans were submitted for approval, the county hall’s legal department advised that the placement of tables and chairs in the road was not covered under the emergency legislation.
Rossendale council has received £60,000 from the Government to help businesses reopen.
LOCKDOWN- BUSTING plans for a oneway system on Rawtenstall’s high street to facilitate alfresco dining have been scuppered.
Rossendale council leader Alyson Barnes has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking him to intervene immediately in the “ludicrous” saga with Lancashire County Council over Bank Street.
Rossendale council received a £60,000 funding pot from the Government’s Reopening High Streets Safely fund to help businesses reopen, trade safely and to help to promote safe local shopping to the public.
Talks revealed that Rawtenstall traders wanted temporary additional external trading areas during the summer months for food and hospitality businesses, hit particularly hard by social distancing requirements.
Over 80 per cent of respondents surveyed backed the south to north one-way system, with seating placed within the road, separated from traffic by safety barriers.
However, when the final plans were submitted for approval, the county hall’s legal department advised that, upon closer inspection, the placement of tables and chairs in the carriageway was not covered under the emergency legislation.
Coun Barnes said they were “extremely frustrated” by the rejection of the plans.
She said: “We have spent a lot of time making sure everyone was involved, including the county council, and for them to come back now and reject the plans just seems ludicrous.
“I have written to the Prime Minister to highlight the issue and ask for an immediate change to this legislation.
“The government talks about helping to kickstart the economy, yet when we try to put things in place to aid that, legislation stops us in our tracks.
“These are exceptional circumstances we’re dealing with at the moment and we all want to be able to make sure our high streets and businesses are operating safely and also effectively.”
David Gould, chairman of Rawtenstall Chamber of Trade, said it would be “a huge blow” to food and drink businesses.
He said: “All the eating and drinking establishments are the ones that are in a bit of trouble really. They had the possibility of increased capacity and to get back to what would have been normal.
“Being allowed to spill out onto the street will give them a helping hand.
“I really hope the decision LCC have made doesn’t result in some of those businesses having to close.
“I think we have all adapted ourselves, but I think we have all mostly done it ourselves, not with help from the council.”
He pointed out that the Valley’s climate means the clock is ticking on a suitable scheme, adding: “Time is of the essence. If it gets snarled up in a row then it’s basically not going to happen, or if it does happen it will be the middle of October or November, by which time the whole herd of horses has escaped the stable.
“If it was a permanent scheme it would require a lot more thought, but we have been assured it’s a temporary scheme to see how it goes.”
Scott Moore, of Siphon Espresso and Brew Bar, said it would be “very sad news” if the scheme is scrapped.
He added: “If it’s not going ahead it’s very frustrating. I’m new to the area of three years and many locals have told me the council are reluctant to help when it comes to businesses. If you look at the other businesses who already have plenty of outside seating space, they are thriving.
“I live in Manchester city centre; systems have been in place for weeks, at this rate it will be winter.”
An LCC spokesman said: “We’ve been working closely with all councils in Lancashire to bring in measures to support the reopening of high streets and ensure businesses can trade safely with social distancing measures in place.
“One of the options being looked at for Bank Street involved reducing the road space available to vehicles in order to allow food businesses to put tables and chairs in the road while still allowing pedestrians to pass on the pavement.
“Upon closer examination we found that the Covid legislation and funding to reopen high streets does not allow the highway to be used for this specific purpose, however we are currently exploring whether other highway legislation and funding may be available to achieve this, along with alternative configurations for Bank Street which could be achieved using the Covid-related legislation and funding.”