Helston Town Council and Helston CIC have responded in a letter to residents explaining what options are being considered to aid social distancing in the town.

Last week, Helston residents raised the question of how social distancing will be possible within the town.

Residents were promised details of plans and options during a public consultation, with issues being identified and talk of some of the streets being pedestrianised.

Helston Town Mayor John Martin told Nub News:

"The 2020 coronavirus pandemic is the most significant event of my lifetime; it has had a terrible impact on the health and lives of individuals, as well as severe economic consequences for businesses.

"Whilst it's impact has been immediate, shocking and sharp, I am confident that the resilience of local people will enable us to survive, revive and prosper as we adapt to the new normal."

Indications are that there is a link between Covid-19 recovery and fitness and there has been a significant upturn in active travel, particularly walking and cycling.

The Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps has commented that:

"Active travel is affordable, delivers significant health benefits, has been shown to improve wellbeing, mitigates congestion, improves air quality and has no carbon emissions at the point of use. Towns and cities based around active travel will have happier and healthier citizens as well as lasting local economic benefits.

"The government, therefore, expects local authorities to make significant changes to their road layouts to give more space to cyclists and pedestrians. Such changes will help embed altered behaviours and demonstrate the positive effects of active travel."

John Martin continued:

"As our community gets back to work and lockdown eases, it is clear that pedestrians will need more space. The current layout of Helston does not enable people to walk safely around the town whilst maintaining social distancing.

"This is a once in a generation opportunity to change how we move around our town centre."

The consultation follows new guidelines from Cornwall Council on businesses and outdoor seating.

As the lockdown restrictions ease, five issues have been identified by the Town Council that require resolution:

Health and safety of pedestrians

Support to hospitality sector (particularly those food and drink outlets that provide seating)

Support to the wider economy of Helston

To address the issues above, a number of options are being considered for implementation over the coming weeks.

The aim of all options is that they should address in part or whole, the issues highlighted above.

Of those implemented, each should be thought of as a real-time trial and that, should analysis determine, changes will be made.

The options consist of:

• Pedestrianise Meneage Street

• Pedestrianise Coinagehall Street

• One-way down Coinagehall Street

• Pedestrianise Helston town centre

• Make no changes the travelling layout

John Martin added:

"For the purposes of these options, the town centre is defined as Meneage Street, Coinagehall Street, Wendron Street up to the Godolphin Club and Church Street from the Coinagehall Street junction to just before the Penrose Road junction.

"The options should be considered as stand-alone and more than one might be used to address the issues.

"Whilst the options address the issues, for any project to be fully successful it is recognised that more needs to be done than just closing a street to traffic."

The following supporting measures are also being considered:

• Initial hour or two free in car parks

• Outdoor furniture

• Entertainment

He concluded:

"I am keen to understand the impact of these options on residents and businesses, I encourage you to let me have your thoughts.

"Everyone should be aware that these options are borne out of necessity and the desire to keep you safe whilst supporting businesses in this most trying of times.

"Ever the optimist, I hope that out of this crisis, we can see our way to a brighter future for the town we love so much."

Over the next couple of weeks, it is intended to hold (socially distanced) drop-in sessions in the Guildhall to discuss in more detail, the issues and options.