Have your say on temporary changes to Norwich city centre

Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council have proposed a series of measures to help people be able to keep a safe distance from each other when walking, with any surplus space then available for street café activity to help businesses recover.

The councils have already deployed stencilled and temporary signs to encourage people to walk on the left hand side of the street. Crossing times have also been lengthened for pedestrians at traffic signal-controlled crossings around the inner ring road, to reduce the number of people having to wait on pedestrian islands in the middle. Businesses are also being advised not to put 'A boards' on pavements.

Other proposals involve:

• Temporary changes to Exchange Street and St Benedicts Street, which includes restricted access for general traffic and loading activity happening outside core business hours to create more space for walking, queuing and the potential for pavement cafes. It is also proposed that redundant signs, railings and other street furniture are removed, to declutter the streets.
• Consideration is also being given to further measures that could be applied in other areas, such as Magdalen Street, St Giles Street, Upper St Giles, Surrey Street and All Saints Green and the public will be consulted on proposals.

The two councils want to hear people’s views before deciding whether to implement the changes. The proposals can be viewed on the consultation page of the county council’s website at www.norfolk.gov.uk

Comments and questions can be emailed to cityhighways@norfolk.gov.uk by Tuesday 23 June, saying which street plan you are commenting on in the subject line.

Based on feedback received from the public, all plans will be reviewed before being implemented under emergency traffic regulation powers. Any measures taken will be temporary in nature and continually monitored.