Another Aylesbury road considered for temporary pedestrianisation

Two roads in the Town Centre have already been pedestrianised following a change to restrictions by government.

Author: Scarlett Bawden-GaulPublished 25th Sep 2020

Another road in Aylesbury Town Centre could be closed to vehicles.

Last month Cambridge Street and George Street in Aylesbury Town Centre were temporarily closed off to vehicles.

This was to allow businesses to use to space so customers can socially distance, with tables and chairs being placed so food and drinks can be enjoyed outside.

Now, Market Street is also being looked at to trial pedestrianisation.

Market Street in Aylesbury

Diana Fawcett, Town Centre and Regeneration manager, explains:

"The government have lifted restrictions and made it much easier to implement short term road closures but those road closures can only be in for 3 months.

"What is does do is give us a marvelous opportunity to trial areas we have wanted to pedestrianise before and see if we can make it work.

"First we look at where pavements don't support social distancing. We have then visited every business and talked to them about a potential road closure and then we have kept the businesses affect informed at every stage."

If Market Street is closed for vehicles, it would limit the number of entrances and exits for cars into the area.

The measures were introduced to promote social distancing

However, Diana says the council believe most are not visiting the town centre:

"Many of the people accessing the roads are just cutting through town which puts serious strain on the street and the businesses.

"Where we've closed them there are very straight forward alternatives routes, like on the ring road.

"For example, instead of cutting through town and cutting through Cambridge Street, going around and staying on the ring road is 0.5 of a mile longer."