Published Friday 12 June 2020 at 9:51
In Darwen you’ll see work starting on Monday morning to ensure safer shopping on Market Street helping to support businesses and residents to social distance.
The Council has been advised to make temporary changes to street layouts to allow safe shopping after the opening of non-essential retail shops on Monday, June 15, 2020.
Whilst social distancing measures need to be in place, work will start to remove the on-street parking which runs the length of Market Street.
Barriers will also be installed to turn the parking spaces into a new pedestrian walkway and ‘keep apart’ signage installed.
In Darwen most shops and market stalls are due to re-open.
Darwen East ward councillor Jane Oates, said:
Market Street presents a difficulty because the pavement is very narrow and, given that there will be reduced numbers allowed in shops, it will be hard to have queues outside the shops and the safe passing along the pavement of pedestrians with social distancing.
I hope people understand that we are doing our best to respond to this ever evolving situation to keep both shoppers and traders as safe as we possibly can do. We want to do everything we can to support our local businesses and residents to start getting back to some sort of new normal.
Cllr Oates added:
I’d like to add that we are really looking forward to having some of our shops open again, bring our town back to life and welcoming back many of our town’s friendly faces.
Councils across the country are undertaking similar works to ensure more pedestrian space is available for safe social distancing. This will be a temporary measure and will be reviewed regularly.
Disabled shoppers are advised that there are disabled parking bays across the street on Wellington Road and a larger number remain available opposite the Bridgewater pub.
Darwen Market stalls are also still offering helpful home deliveries. Please see the website for more information and safe shopping guidance: https://darwentowncentre.co.uk/market/
As well as continuing to follow social distancing, customers will also see other changes including one-way systems within the markets, which are clearly marked on the floors. To help this one-way system, only one main entrance and exit will be used.
Hand sanitisation stations have been installed and staff will be available to assist and guide customers.
Full details of the changes at both Darwen and Blackburn market can be found on their websites and also on social media. Customers are encouraged to use social media to ask any questions they may have.
From Monday public transport passengers are reminded that face coverings will need to be worn – additional buses have been added to normal routes to ensure more space on board.
For local bus timetables please see: https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/blackburn/services
Dial-a-ride community transport is also available for people with additional accessibility needs. You can find out more here: https://www.bwd-localoffer.org.uk/kb5/blackburn/directory/service.page?id=XynV0jLGS3E