'Abuse towards stewards must stop': Helston Town Council urges unity in response to road closures

Helston Town Council has urged the community to "work together" and not resort to ugliness on social media as the debate on the road closure heated up last week.

Helston Town Council held an informal meeting on Saturday evening to discuss the options available to ensure public safety and the post-Covid-19 reopening of businesses on Meneage Street.

In a statement this morning the town council said:

"In parts of Meneage Street, it is not possible to maintain this distance with the pavements at some points being considerably narrower. This requires people to walk into the road. Given that traffic can and does move at up to 30 mph this is not a safe practice. There is also considerable difficulty for those who are disabled and use buggies or other walking aids."

The restrictions are as follows:

· The road closure will remain in place from 1000 to 1600 Monday to Saturday inclusive.

· There will be access for the disabled, blue badge holders, to Meneage Street. Enabling them to park in the street.

· There will be access for delivery drivers to Meneage Street.

· There will be access for those residents who were issued with passes for last week.

Helston Town Council will continue to pay for the first hour for motorists who park in Trengrouse Way or Tyacke Road Cornwall Council car parks.

The council continued:

"There have been concerns raised that the road closure notice could be in place for 18 months. This is not the intention of Helston Town Council, but is in accordance with the legislation that the notice was issued under.

"With the pubs, cafes, restaurants, hairdressers and barbers opening from the 4th July 2020, along with tourists being allowed to visit, we anticipate a significant increase in footfall making social distancing all but impossible unless the road is closed.

"We fully appreciate that some businesses are strongly against this decision, however, we have to act in the best interests of everyone including all businesses, residents and visiting tourists. Pubs, cafes and restaurants will be able to have chairs outside on the road, whilst respecting social distancing, ensuring that these businesses can be more commercially viable in these difficult times.

"We all want the best for Helston. We all want everyone to be safe in our town, and we all want businesses to survive in these unprecedented times. It is, and will continue, to be difficult."

The council has said it will continue to monitor the situation.