Part of Sidmouth town centre could see cars banned during the day

Pedestrianisation plans for parts of Sidmouth town centre have been proposed in a bid to help safely kick-start the local economy.

Sidmouth Town Council is hoping to see Old Fore Street, New Street, Market Place and Church Street become traffic free between 11am and 5pm every day.

It is one of a number of measures being introduced in the town to improve the safety of visitors and locals when non-essential retail shops re-open on Monday, June 15.

Some parking spaces on streets will also be removed, while the Esplanade east of the Ham Lane junction will be closed to all motorised vehicles, except for delivery vehicles and coaches for turning.

COVID-19 advisory 2m distance stencilled signage all around the town centre, the Esplanade, Three Cornered Plot Bus Interchange and Near Radway Cinema, were put in place on Monday night by Sidmouth County Councillor and Cabinet member for Highway Management Stuart Hughes, and Sidmouth Town Council contractor Ben Cruickshank.

It is part of a raft of measures the Town Council along with the County Council are putting in place and councillor Hughes said: "It's important that we do everything we can to help kick start the local economy and to welcome visitors back to our unique town with many independent shops."

Further measures Sidmouth Town Council are seeking to carry out, which have the support of the Chamber of Commerce and hoteliers include:

-The daily pedestrianisation of Old Fore Street, New Street, Market Place and Church Street between 11am and 5pm

-Taking out the parking to the west of the Esplanade between Dukes and Bedford Hotel frontage.

-Providing two temporary dedicated loading bays/unloading bays (as at present delivery vehicles double park on Esplanade).