ONE-WAY pavement systems will be introduced in the town centre as part of measures to control the spread of coronavirus as the area reopens for business.

The pandemic has dramatically altered the transport and exercise habits of people in Warrington.

The number of people cycling across the borough has surged by more than 100 per cent, while traffic levels on roads in some areas have been as low as 40 per cent of normal volumes.

The council says it expects residents to continue driving far less, along with a continued increase in walking, cycling and running.

It adds that it is vital for it to support businesses as they continue to reopen, in accordance with the planned relaxations of the lockdown, while allowing the necessary social distancing to take place.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington town centre

The measures to support pedestrians and cyclists include widening key footways, with temporary barriers at pinch-point areas to accommodate the increased numbers in pedestrians – and to ensure they can safely socially distance from others.

There will be a large increase in dedicated cycle lanes, using new barriers and signage, to help the marked increase of cyclists travel safely in Warrington.

Traffic signals will be changed to prioritise ‘green time’ for residents and ensure pedestrian and cyclist safety.

There will be changes to the town centre roads, including new one-way roads, to make it more pedestrian and cycle focused.

As well as widened footways, there will also be one-way pavements in the town centre with clearly marked ‘stay left, stay safe’ signage to support residents with social distancing.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington town centre

The council will also work with customer-facing businesses like banks, shops and bars to introduce safe, sensible queuing areas outsides their premises when they reopen in line with the national guidance.

Clear signage will be positioned at park entrances to support people to keep their distance, while high-traffic footpaths will be widened.

Meanwhile, the Labour-run council will also be looking at communities and urban areas that will benefit from an uplift in secure bicycle parking.

Measures aimed at the centre and district centre spaces will be rolled out to coincide with the reopening of non-essential retail and eateries, which is currently planned for June 15, when higher footfall in these areas is expected to return.

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden said: “The council will begin the rollout its various temporary highway improvements in the very near future and look to complete the first phase by the end of July.

Warrington Guardian:

Time Square in the town centre

“This will focus on the town centre and district centres, including Stockton Heath and Lymm.

“You will see a large uplift in bicycle lanes, footway widening and the introduction of several one-way roads to reduce the number of vehicles ‘rat running’ through the town centre.

“The changes we’re making to support cyclists is welcome news, particularly with National Bike Week starting this weekend.

“While the interventions we have planned are initially on a temporary basis, these could be made permanent in future if shown to be effective and well received.

“These changes are necessary to ensure our residents are social distancing and to accommodate for the changes in our travel and behaviour in the Covid-19 world.”

Warrington Guardian:

Time Square in the town centre

Funding for improvements will be sourced in part from an Emergency Active Travel Grant provided by the Department for Transport, which will contribute to the cost of the council’s main temporary highway interventions.

The European Regional Development Fund has also allocated a share of funding worth around £150,000 to the council for assistance in adapting urban centres.

More details of the first phase of measures will be announced in the near future.

But Warrington and Halton Green Party has urged the council to accelerate the improvement of cycling infrastructure and uptake in the borough.

Transport spokesman Mike Wass said: "While Warrington Borough Council has a current local cycling and walking infrastructure plan, which appears aspirational and well-conceived, it extends up to 2029 and has been overtaken by recent events."

But he says 'we cannot wait' until 2029.

Mr Wass added the council should 'grasp this opportunity' to tackle Warrington’s air quality & congestion problems, starting with the development of six proposed primary cycle routes into the town centre.