FOI18520 Excerpt of Gold Command Minutes 09.07.20 re Safe Zones Item/ Decision/ New Officer Discussion Rationale Actions • Disabled parking has been queried and discussed. • The Integrated Impact assessment (attached) was considered by the LG. • A ‘user friendly note’ has been drafted for the public for information. • A specific area on the website has been made to upload all the relevant documents so that the public can be signposted to the area. • There is a flexibility here (+5 days) on emergency orders. Discussion were had about phasing and if there was a real problem then we would concentrate on a few towns first. th • highlighted the urgency of implementing these plans on the 13 of June as has reported a substantial increase in the occupancy rate for holiday homes and caravans for the next fortnight. • highlighted that the press release needs to be solely factual and it was decided that will send the amended version to and for sign off. • The safe towns report was endorsed provided that the amendments highlighted in today’s discussion were made and that any changes to the documents were brought back to Gold Command for information. • queried whether the CLIC Team could have site of these plans as soon as possible due to the increased enquiries coming through. agreed to this in addition to share the user friendly note which will answer many of the questions. • Plans for pubs, restaurants and cafes re-opening outdoors - noted that the letter to hospitality businesses (attached) has been revised and translated since it was discussed in a Gold Command meeting last week. highlighted that the ‘user friendly note’ informs businesses to contact the council if they wish to trade outdoors. highlighted the need for bilingual headers and a final proof-read. - The questionnaire for hospitality businesses was noted and this was supported. - raised concerns regarding businesses assuming that they can trade outside etc., however, it is uncertain what WG will do about the relaxation of licencing laws. - stated that during the LRF meeting a WG representative Letter to Hospitality st noted that legislation will be passed on the 21 of July which will businesses (bilingual). allow the licences outside to be extended to cover the whole of 3 REPORT TO LEADERSHIP GROUP Report (Officer’s name) Date: 09/07/2020 Subject of the Report: The creation of safe zones for pedestrians in Aberaeron, Aberystwyth, Cardigan and New Quay. Purpose of the Report: To seek Gold Command approval for the creation of safe zones for pedestrians in the four town centre locations mentioned for public safety and revitalising the local economy, by making town centres safe and inviting areas for people to shop/enjoy. Proposals have been developed to create safe zones for pedestrians in four town centres in order to provide inviting towns for people to go shopping and to enjoy. With the slow easing nationally of the lockdown restrictions, social distancing requirements are still important if the spread of coronavirus is to be supressed, and it is therefore necessary to make adjustments to the towns for public safety and health reasons, as well as revitalising the local economy. Given the likely increase in the numbers of people in the County during the summer, these can only be accommodated and done safely if more space is created for people rather than for cars. The alternative would be that some streets would be deemed unsafe for pedestrian access as social distancing would not be achievable, which would require the Council to consider preventing pedestrian access resulting in businesses soon becoming unsustainable. Within Ceredigion, Aberaeron, Aberystwyth, Cardigan and New Quay will be the first towns to see these zones implemented, with further works proposed to provide similar solutions for Aberporth, Borth, Lampeter, Llandysul and Tregaron in the coming weeks. Historic street layouts mean that there are narrow streets and pavements with traffic running through them which are not conducive to social distancing, and the modification and repurposing of some of the road space within the town centres needs to take place to ensure that businesses can trade, whilst at the same time ensuring the areas remain a safe environment for residents, workers, visitors and businesses. The reallocation of road space and removal of street clutter will create a safer environment which will encourage and facilitate greater patronage and footfall whilst maintaining space for social distancing without compromising safety. Initial discussions have been held with stakeholders such as the Town Councils and where possible, officers have sought to incorporate any reasonable suggestions put forward into the final plans without compromising the overall objective of the proposals which are now being put forward for consideration at Aberaeron, Aberystwyth, Cardigan and New Quay. C1 Aberaeron Town - ERC Public Notice • Aberaeron – Vehicular Routes v4.0.TTRNs Aberaeron.doc C1 Aberystwyth - C1 Aberystwyth - Emergency Public • Aberystwyth - Core Town Restricted Northern Prom Full ReNotice English Covid1 C1 New Quay Core ERC Public Notice • New Quay - Town Restricted Zone TTRNs New Quay.doc C1 Cardigan - Core • Cardigan – Town Restricted Zone Safe zones will be created by closing the roads shown in the attached plans during certain times of the day, by removing on street parking, and by de-cluttering and relocating street signage and furniture. Free parking will be provided in Council owned car parks during the initial period in order to encourage workers, visitors and shoppers to make the most of the space provided. The road closures are being implemented under Section 1(1) 2(1) Section 14(1b) and (3) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended by the Road Traffic Act (Temporary Restriction Act 1991) for public health reasons and the need to create space in order to facilitate social distancing by easing the free unfettered movements of pedestrians, due to Covid-19. These safe zones will be introduced from Monday 13 July 2020 and will be subject to ongoing review to ensure that they remain fit for purpose and are aligned to the overall objective of the proposal, and if there are any changes needed that these can be made as quickly possible. The Council has acted quickly to put these arrangements in place in order to safeguard the health and safety of all its citizens and visitors, and it is intended that these initial arrangements will be continually reviewed. Once the proposals have been agreed, information will be shared with residents, traders and business owners within the ‘safe zone’ and we will look to work with these traders and businesses to ensure that deliveries of supplies can be facilitated. However, business and residents are requested to make arrangements for access and deliveries outside the closure period. The Council will only seek to facilitate access within the closure period for emergencies or in urgent/unforeseen circumstances. Issues and decisions needed It is recommended that Gold Command agree to from Leadership Group: the creation of safe zones within the town centres of Aberaeron, Aberystwyth, Cardigan and New Quay as shown in the attached plans and notices, and to authorise the use of emergency road closure powers to achieve this in order to facilitate safe pedestrian and retail areas within the town centres in response to the risks posed by the COVID19 virus. Background papers and / or Plans and Notices decisions: Policy implication: Equality and Language implication: Budgetary issues: Further Report to Cabinet and/or Further report to Cabinet will be required to extend Council: the road closure periods by means of a temporary order Scrutiny Involvement: Proposed timeline for reporting: Leadership Group decision and proposed action: Ceredigion County Council Emergency Traffic Restrictions Public Notice Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, Section 1(1) 2(1) Section 14(1b), (2b) and (3) As amended by the Road Traffic Act (Temporary Restriction Act 1991) Temporary Prohibition of Use and Temporary Alteration to Traffic Flow CARDIGAN Ceredigion County Council hereby gives notice that with effect from 00.01 hours on Monday the 13th day of July 2020, no vehicle shall proceed along the lengths of road in Cardigan as mentioned in Schedule 1 of this Notice. No vehicle shall park, load or wait along the lengths of road as mentioned in Schedule 1 and 2 of this Notice. Vehicles shall only travel along roads in the direction as mentioned in Schedule 3 of this Notice. Vehicles will only be able to park or wait as mentioned in Schedule 4 of this Notice. This Temporary Prohibition of Use will remain in force for the duration of this Notice. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. Restrictions will not apply between 18:01and 09.59 hours. Schedule 1. Temporary Prohibition of Traffic between 08:00 and 18:00 hours daily: High Street: from the Shire Hall to the junction with College Row. Pendre: from the junction with College Row to the junction with Bathhouse Road. Market Lane: from the junction with High Street to junction with Middle Mwldan. St. Mary Street: from the junction with High Street to the junction with Morgan Street. Ebens Lane: from the junction with High Street to the junction with Middle Mwldan. Chancery Lane: from the junction with High Street to the junction with St. Mary Street. Pwllhai: from the junction with High Street to ‘Beauty in Motion’. College Row: from the junction with High Street/Pendre to the junction with Middle Mwldan. Priory Street: from Priory Court to the junction with Pendre. Upper Mwldan: whole length of access road running from the back of the Guild Hall, College Row junction, to the footway on Bathhouse Road. William Street: from the junction with Feidrfair to the junction with Pendre. Bathhouse Road: from the Theatre junction of Bathhouse Road to the junction with Llys Owen.