Coronavirus: City council plans new distancing signage

The city council is investigating the possibility of posting new signs around the city to remind people of their obligation for social distancing as we move towards the recovery phase of the coronavirus emergency.

With more and more people turning to walking and cycling instead of public transport there are concerns that social distancing on the city footpaths will be ignored.

The council’s Executive Director for Place and Economy, Steve Cox, told this week’s Cabinet meeting: “The rationale behind this plan is people’s natural nervousness to use public transport during the recovery phase of the coronavirus emergency.

“We are actively discouraging people to use their cars unless absolutely necessary, so we have received guidance on the reallocation of road space and that work is ongoing.

“Consequently, we are looking at a set of signage that could possibly fit with that guidance and we will report back to council later this week.

“Funding for this scheme has come from a national government grant of £250m and our proportion of that amount will be allocated to Peterborough City Council through the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Transport Committee which meets later this month.

“What is really important for us in the city is to be ready with the schemes that we want to see brought forward once that funding is in place.”

Cllr David Seaton said: “I have been hearing a lot about this lately from people who would like to see more pathways given over to cyclists and pedestrians.

“Would it be possible perhaps to increase their allocation to the roadway by removing a car lane from say, TK Maxx all the way down to Waitrose? And also, perhaps take out a vehicle lane on Crescent Bridge and give it over to the cyclists and pedestrians?”

Mr Cox said: “We are, of course, looking at all these possibilities however, the two specific ones you mention we feel might not be appropriate as they would severely restrict the turning movements of the busses which in turn might cause more danger to the people on bicycles and walking.”