Agenda item

The Committee were addressed by a local resident regarding the road closures in Yeovil town centre.  She said that in 2019 the Council had adopted the Somerset Equality and Diversity Policy which committed the council to working within the Equality Act 2010.  She said it was understandable when the social distancing policy was introduced to Yeovil town centre and she felt the road closures were done with the best of intentions.  However, she noted that other towns had revised and removed their road closures whilst Yeovil had not, which had left no disabled parking within the recommended distance to the Post Office and shops at the top of town.  The alternative provision for disabled parking in Princes Street was in excess of the 50m and obtaining parking in Peter Street was difficult.  She also noted that social distancing was difficult as the pedestrian area of Middle Street had been littered with A-boards, tables and chairs and various market stalls.  She asked if any equality impact assessment had been undertaken regarding the decision to extend the road closure period and who had favourably commented on the closures, as detailed in the report.  She also noted that no complaints were listed in the report.  She felt it was time the measures were removed so that all residents could access the town centre.

The Chairman confirmed that a full written response would be provided to the resident and thanked her for bringing the matter to their attention.  It was agreed that a copy of the response would be circulated to all Councillors, including addressing the issue of A-Boards in Middle Street.

Subsequent to the meeting, the following response was provided to the local resident:-

Dear Mrs

Re: Queries raised at District Executive Meeting - Thursday 1st October

Thank you for taking the time to raise a number of queries relating to the temporary road closures in Yeovil Town Centre.

The temporary road closure measures in Yeovil town centre were introduced in response to the Government’s Re-opening the High Streets Guidance and emergency powers granted in response to the Covid crisis. They are considered by us and the Somerset County Council as critical in continuing to enable social distancing and for the confidence of the general public. We have liaised with the County Council on this response to you.

Confirmed cases of Covid-19 are now on the rise nationally, as well as locally, and we take our role in keeping the public as safe as possible very seriously, especially where the footfall is highest. This is why we have decided, along with our County Highways colleagues, to keep these emergency temporary closure measures in place.

An Equality Impact Assessment was done when the measures were first implemented. However, this has been revised and updated and I will ensure that the revised EIA is made available on the SSDC website as soon as possible.

As these were emergency measures there was no time or requirement for consultation. Whilst we are doing everything we possibly can to mitigate the loss of disabled parking spaces in Yeovil, it is worth saying that the emergency powers override many established policies. We do not purposefully wish to disadvantage anyone, but public safety and guidance needs to be upheld.

The space created on the High Street and upper Middle Street have allowed everyone using those streets to abide to social distancing requirements.

Unfortunately the measures have some impact and we have accordingly introduced, with the County Council, some mitigation measures to create some temporary parking within our town centre.

You mention a policy for access to the Post Office. This is something we are not aware of. If you have a copy, I would be happy to look at this.

A-boards, tables and chairs and market stalls can be an obstruction to the highway and will continue to be reviewed by the County Council and ourselves with action taken where necessary

Whilst some towns have decided to remove the temporary closure measures, others have kept them. Yeovil, as our sub-regional town, is considered to have a high enough footfall to warrant the continuation of the measures. We have received feedback from a number of sources, including the marshals, the Quedam and the Yeovil Town Council that these measures are valued, and important.

We will review these measures regularly and recognise there is a balance. However, with the rising rate of infection and Christmas around the corner, we need to ensure the best opportunity for public safety going forwards whilst Covid remains a serious issue.

I hope this goes some way to explain the actions that have been taken.

Yours sincerely

Martin Woods

Director of Place