The introduction of the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) in June 2020 was one of the key priorities for the safe re-opening of Shaftesbury High Street. Since June 2020 Shaftesbury Town Council working in partnership with Dorset Council and the Chamber of Commerce has conducted one-on-one surveys with each business owner to establish the trading environment throughout this very challenging period. Feedback during this period suggests that the majority of business representatives, 83% favour a separate project to look at a permanent scheme.
Many of the town shoppers and market traders have told us that the temporary pedestrianisation has improved the market shopping experience leading to a tripling in the number of market stalls. Due to the growth of Shaftesbury Town Council’s Thursday Street Market, Dorset Council has granted a licence to temporarily close the High Street on Thursdays up until 3pm to enable the street market to continue to flourish.
Therefore, with effect from Monday 19th July, Shaftesbury High Street will revert back to 2-way traffic with no restrictions in place with the exception of Thursdays. On Market days the High Street will remain as Pedestrian Priority from 9am until 3pm therefore only emergency services, buses and deliveries will be allowed to enter the High Street during this time.
Separately, a request has been submitted to Dorset Council, fully supported by Shaftesbury Town Council, to look at the feasibility of a permanent pedestrianisation scheme. This scheme, if approved, would need to be managed via an entirely separate project as a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) has clear legislative conditions that need to be considered. TRO consultations, combined with the statutory process can mean a typical TRO can take between 12 and 18 months to deliver as there are many factors to take into consideration.
Shaftesbury Town Council will continue to seek the views from businesses, shoppers and residents and will keep the community informed as the next steps for a more permanent scheme are developed.
Cllr Piers Brown, the lead member for economic development said – “Temporary Pedestrianisation of the High Street has been a great success, helping our amazing shops through the extremely difficult trading year. With +86% of shoppers and +83% of businesses supporting the temporary pedestrianisation becoming permanent. I hope Dorset Council will accept our application so the High Street can continue to buck the national trend and flourish”
“Although this marks the end of the Temporary Pedestrianisation, Shaftesbury Town Council, will continue to support all business in town including those in retail as they take on the challenge of coming out of COVID. People’s jobs and livelihoods depend on it”
Shaftesbury Town Council and the Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce are pleased to have had the opportunity to work in such constructive and collaborative way with Dorset Council over the last year. This collaboration will continue as all the options for a longer-term pedestrian priority scheme are considered over the coming months.