Some traders in Lewes want to prevent East Sussex County Council suspending parking outside their shops, in a move that's intended make pedestrians' social distancing easier,
But controversy has surrounded the campaign, after the local authority said it would be bringing in the measures to allow people shopping on foot to use some of the road's width, on the High Street, for social distancing.
The traders said adding a wider walkway would mean losing more than 30 parking bays and at least one disabled bay, plus access to dropped kerbs.
They claimed there is inadequate parking in the town and the pavements highlighted for enlarging are already wide enough.
In a plea to the county council to hold a proper consultation about the plan they said:
"Local businesses are already suffering due to Covid-19, and having unsightly barriers plus no parking options would finish off the High Street that we are immensely proud of.
"A lot of shops rely on people parking close by to pick up heavy items and to give a sense of freedom to anyone with mobility issues."
But some people in the town, where a pro-cycling protest has taken place for two consecutive Saturdays, disagree with the traders' assertions.
One respondent retorted:
"Lewes would be so much better without the parking on streets — more footfall for business and you could put a couple more disabled short stay bays which would be a better use of space."
Another added:
"What we need is cars off the road, shops and cafes spilling onto the street and a plan to make it worthwhile for pedestrians to walk these streets feeling they are not going to have to step back for cars in and out trying to park."
More 'Live' Bus Information Screens To Be Installed In West Sussex
Rare Bee Found In Lewes
Event Bookings Go Live For Worthing Festival ‘24
Man Charged After Throwing Brick Through Brighton Restaurant Window
Peacehaven Man Disqualified Over High-Speed A27 Pursuit Near Brighton
Appeal After PCSO Assaulted In Uckfield
Man Charged With Rape Of Teenage Girl In Newhaven
Overnight Closures For A22 Forest Row Road Improvements
Brighton Defence Manufacturer's Controversial Planning Application Likely To Be Heard
Over £2.4m Approved For Worthing School Support Centre
Comments
Add a comment