Shoppers asked their views on reopening of Clitheroe's high street

Ribble Valley Borough Council is giving shoppers their say on temporary changes to the centres of Clitheroe and Longridge aimed at reopening the high street safely.

And given the Government’s announcement that face coverings will be mandatory in shops from this Friday (July 24th) the council wants to understand what you think about the changes and how they might impact on your shopping habits.

The measures are part of the council’s #LoveRibbleValley campaign, which aims to reassure shoppers that the borough is open for business and Covid-secure.

They include the temporary pedestrianisation of Castle Street in Clitheroe, a partial one-way system in Berry Lane, Longridge; #LoveRibbleValley public safety signage and bollard sleeves in town centres, and "reverse graffiti" on pavements reminding people to "keep their distance" and "be kind and respect others".

Up to two hours free parking is also available until further notice at the council’s short-stay town centre car parks.

And after feedback from residents and traders, a disabled parking bay has been reopened at the top of Moor Lane in Clitheroe and the bus stop in Market Place reinstated. Part of the loading bay in Moor Lane, Clitheroe, has been reopened and in Longridge the area of widened footway has been reduced slightly to assist motorists and passengers using parking bays in Berry Lane.

Ribble Valley Borough Council leader, Stephen Atkinson, said: “There has been a lot of positive and constructive feedback to #LoveRibbleValley and we have taken much of it on board.

“The campaign is a work in progress, so we have launched the survey to see what more we can do to ensure shoppers feel safe and return to the high street.”

The survey asks a range of questions, such as if you have returned to the high street following lockdown easing and, if not, what would encourage you to do so, as well as which measures have helped you socially distance and your views on face coverings.

It is available at ribblevalley.gov.uk and council workers will also be out and about over the coming days surveying shoppers in the street from a safe distance.

The deadline for responses to the survey is 5pm on Wednesday, July 22nd.