COUNTY highways chiefs have extended the ban on vehicles and cycles entering the pedestrianised City Centre to cover 10am to 6pm every day, from the current 10.30am to 4.30pm.
New signage has been put up advising people of this change.
By extending the hours, which has the support of the business community following extensive consultation with them, Worcestershire County Council has provided a safer environment for pedestrians by keeping out vehicles and bikes during the busiest times of the City.
The change is designed to make the City Centre a more enjoyable and relaxing experience so people can wander around free from the threat of moving vehicles of any kind.
Councillor Alan Amos, County Council Cabinet Member for Highways said: “This measure is long overdue and will make the City Centre not only much safer for pedestrians but also a much more enjoyable experience. This is particularly important at this time when we need to encourage people to get out and about in the High Street and spend money to keep businesses going.
There is absolutely no need whatsoever for any vehicles to be going through busy pedestrianized streets at these times. We have been working with the police as breach of these rules is a criminal offence.”
There are certain exemptions for access during this period, including:
Emergency vehicles and Bullion/Royal Mail vehicles are permitted to use any of the roads concerned;
Buses and taxis can use Angel Street and the western end of Angel Place so they can get to the bus station;
Market/licensed street trading vehicles can access Angel Place and High Street
