With the lifting of some restrictions relating to the use of our high streets expected on June 15th, the Ipswich Vision Board partners have combined to create a plan to help give confidence to those coming back to Ipswich, that the town is open, safe and ready to do business.
Measures to be introduced will include a ‘keep left’ pedestrian scheme, extensive banner messaging, including floor stickers and lamppost banners and posters for shop windows. All these elements are to help encourage social distancing and considerate use of our county town.
The ‘Vision’ partners are working with employers to encourage those who have returned after lockdown to stagger staff arrival and departure times and lunch hours, all in a bid to enhance social distancing at traditionally busy times.
Speaking about this initiative, Ipswich Vision Board Chair, Terry Hunt said, “We know that by working in the spirit of partnership, ‘together we can’ ensure that visitors to Ipswich will be able to return to the town centre in a safe and orderly manner, protecting themselves and others around them. From next Monday (8th), signage and further information will be displayed in the town centre ready for the 15th.”
Guidance leaflets are being made available advising of the plans to be put in place. This is seen as an important guide for those keen to return to their town centre and will also be available on allaboutipswich.com.
Ipswich Borough Council Leader David Ellesmere commented “We continue to follow Government guidance on the reopening of the town centre and have worked with our partners to ensure visitors can come into Ipswich with confidence. The safety of shoppers and employees will always come first – this has been our priority ever since the lockdown began in March - and we continue to stress the importance of social distancing.”
One of the additional measures to be introduced is the temporary ‘pedestrianisation’ of Upper Brook Street from 10.30am to 4.30pm, an area that currently has extensive bus traffic and pavements that will not allow for easy social distancing if pedestrian numbers increase post-lockdown. Buses will be re-routed primarily to Bond Street and disabled parking spaces will be relocated to the top end of Lower Brook Street. Taxis will continue to be able to use their pick-up points on Tacket Street and Dog’s Head Street.
Terry Baxter, Chair of Ipswich Central added, “These plans have been drawn up very much in the spirit of partnership, including all Vision partners, the town’s MP Tom Hunt, Suffolk Constabulary and the Police and Crime commissioner, Tim Passmore. We know that the people of Ipswich are keen to get back to their town centre and our businesses are impatient to welcome them back. However this will only work if we all play our part. Together we can stay left, keep our physical distance and keep safe.”
Paul West ,Suffolk County Council’s portfolio holder for Ipswich said, “we are pleased to have played our part in a strong partnership approach which will ensure Ipswich can reopen as planned.”
Further work is being undertaken by the Ipswich Vision partners to look at additional transport improvements to help people use their cars, bikes or to come by foot into the town. The group is also looking at other options to coincide with the expected continued relaxation of lockdown on or around 4th July.
