Social distancing precautions in the Island’s town centres will be in place for at least 12 weeks — with some aspects potentially remaining for the next year.
Painted spacing dots, temporary speed limits and parking restrictions have all been put in place across the Island in the last few weeks to aid social distancing on high streets.
Measures have now been completed and installed in Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, Newport, Ryde, Cowes and Yarmouth.
Despite originally meeting some opposition, the council has said it is a statement of intent that meets government guidance, and supports to businesses to reopen.
Colin Rowland, the Isle of Wight Council’s director of neighbourhoods, said the decision had been made to leave the works as they were.
Speaking at a meeting of the policy and scrutiny committee for regeneration and neighbourhoods, he said:
“The intention is these short-term measures are due to be there for at least the next 12 weeks.
“The paint that has been provided, the stencilling and the painting on the ground is intended to be washed away within the period of about a year, so they are not permanent markings.
Article continues below this advertisement “Any further measures in any of the towns need to be done in consultation with towns and business groups themselves and will form longer to medium-term measures we want to introduce in part of reopening towns.”
Cllr Julie Jones-Evans said it was good to hear measures could be supplemented and done so in a more friendly way as some people have found the current red and white markings make them quite anxious, as they look more like danger, warning signs.
It doesn’t make one iota of difference.
There is virtually no social distancing being complied with at all and in fact, there are so many people out and about it is impossible to keep any safe distances.
It was my misfortune to be in Yarmouth when a full ferry arrived this afternoon. It was akin to when the festival crowd arrive….
‘Cllr Julie Jones-Evans said it was good to hear measures could be supplemented and done so in a more friendly way as some people have found the current red and white markings make them quite anxious, as they look more like danger, warning signs.’
They are danger warning signs!
Treating us like idiots with the dots on the pavements. What a waste of our money! Nobody takes any notice anyway. As for the removal of on street parking there’s no quicker way to kill off the high street,
“Treating us like idiots”
Based on the actions of so many and the people leaving daft comments on wearing a face mask story I think there are a lot that need these markers.
Fact, wearing a face mask works!
I agree with you, this is going to quicken the death of the high street.
“Wearing a facemask works”
Then were you wearing one when the first cases of it started in November in China?
Or do you just parrot what you’re told by leftist commie “news” sources like The Guardian?
Spot the problems ! !
Sorry about the pun, but its totally ridiculous, the pavements are NOT wide enough, and a lot of the corners have barriers on them to protect you from vehicles.
Is there enough room to get round the corner without being less than a foot from anyone else? NO.
Another case of those in charge patting themselves on the back for something that doesn’t work.
I recently had to go to work in Marlborough for a couple of days, similar town size to Newport, no silly dots on pavements or barriers, people still managing to social distance, i think our council must regard us minions as complete dolts, or just like frittering money they claim they dont have away on totally pointless endeavors