Plans to close Hailsham High Street to make more space for cycling and walking during the COVID-19 outbreak have been submitted to Government.
East Sussex County Council has been allocated £479,000 from the first round of the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund.
Having worked with district and borough councils and sought suggestions from local cycling and walking groups to identify possible temporary schemes, the county council has submitted the measures for approval by the Department for Transport.
Among the schemes are cycle routes, improved signage for safe social distancing, temporary cycle parking and the widening of footpaths and road closures to allow people to social distance and to support businesses to open outdoor spaces and enable their customers to queue safely.
Among the plans are to close the High Street to public vehicles except for buses and taxis.
Cllr Claire Dowling, the county council’s lead member for transport and environment, said: “With a limited amount of funding, we are unable to submit all the schemes that came forward. The measures we are submitting for approval strike a careful balance between supporting businesses in their recovery and keeping the public safe.
“While we have submitted specific schemes, we have also put forward countywide measures that will enable more walking and cycling across key towns, market towns and village centres and encourage social distancing.
“We have already seen a significant increase in the number of people walking and cycling in the county and, if approved, the schemes that are put forward will make a real difference to those people choosing active ways to travel and exercise.”
If approved, the schemes will be in place by September.
