Southwell residents to be asked about potential pedestrianisation of King Street on Saturdays

Residents are to be asked about the potential pedestrianisation of a Southwell town centre street on Saturdays.

The town council is considering closing King Street to vehicles to create a better shopping experience for residents and visitors.

It follows concerns from traders, who suggested a one-way closure from One Stop westwards to Queen Street to all but emergency vehicles would create a better environment in the town centre for families and shoppers.

It was suggested by the Shop Southwell group that the closure would also help business thrive once lockdown restrictions are lifted.

It is estimated it would cost around £350 per closure.

At a council meeting, members agreed to start the process of consultation.

It will start with a questionnaire and a personal letter to those living and trading on the street.

If the idea gets a positive response, the consultation would then be opened to the wider community.

Should the council gather enough evidence in support of the road closure, it would contact Nottinghamshire County Council to ask for the regular closures to be considered.

Committee member Roger Blaney voted against the proposal at last week’s meeting.

He considered the costs would be too high.

However, other councillors suggested that there would be different procedures if it was a regular closure and it was voted through.

The questionnaire and letter is to be distributed to residents on King Street and Waterloo Yard in July in place of the council’s newsletter.