Planters cut back in Fore Street

Council contractors have begun to remove a number of planters in Fore Street ahead of new regulations aimed at reducing traffic in the town centre.

The measures were introduced in Spring 2020 to aid social distancing but have remained in place, despite the lifting of all Covid restrictions.

Planters on the south side of Fore Street in front of 17-15 and 49-59 have been removed to allow for additional loading bays, operating between 8am-8pm Monday to Saturday, and for parking at all other times.

A number of planters on the north side will also be removed to provide additional disabled parking and loading.

Other restrictions will remain in place to counter traffic movements in the town centre to improve the environment by reducing noise and pollution, whilst also making the streets safer and more conducive to walking and cycling.

A survey on the town centre measures in 2021 showed that 41% of those who responded thought the Fore Street measures had a negative impact, whilst the closure in Parliament Square was only viewed as negative by 30%.