Caldardale town's shop owners fear car parking space loss will damage trade

Shops selling non-essential goods were able to open for business again this week after closing in March when the Government introduced lockdown measures to help cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

Calderdale Council has been working in the borough’s towns to mark out social distancing space for the return of shoppers but some business owners in Hebden Bridge fear certain measures are counter-productive.

The loss of 29 on-street parking spaces, particularly on Crown Street, one of Hebden Bridge’s main shopping streets, has caused concern.

Hebden Bridge Business Forum chairwoman Alison Bartram, of Heart Gallery, has written to the council saying business owners fear problems arising from people being unable to park near their shops and limited access for deliveries.

“Taking away all the parking on Crown Street seems excessive and unhelpful,” she said. “There is no point making space for pedestrians on the streets if people can’t drive into town and park.

“We agree with the businesses that this is totally unacceptable. Social distancing is likely to be for the rest of this year, if not longer – that’s not temporary really is it?”

Market Street has a whole section of shops and narrower pavements where people queueing might have to spill out into the main road for safe social distancing, with some drivers known to ignore the road’s 20mph speed limit.

“Could Market Street be made one way for pedestrians and the queues go the same way as pedestrians walking?” Ms Bartram said.

She also suggested the council could look at renting or using space at either end of town to create extra parking space.

The council says feedback from businesses and customers will be reviewed and changes regularly assessed.

Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot), Cabinet member for Regeneration and Resources, said safety was paramount.

“In many of our town centres, the only space available for us to expand pavements and allow for social distancing is the on-street parking bays,” she said. “We’ve had to introduce these temporary changes quickly and we acknowledge that there may be some teething problems.

“We’ll continue to work with local residents and businesses and will adapt and change the schemes as necessary.

“We also want to support the long-term economic future of our towns and the measures are an important part of assisting wider reopening of further retail and hospitality businesses in the coming weeks and months.

“We want to ensure people feel safe and have confidence to go out and spend money in the local economy – helping to reinvigorate our town centres.”