As part of Basildon Council’s 'Shop Local Shop Safe' campaign we've introduced a variety of new measures to help people navigate our High Streets safely.
From no parking charges in council owned car-parks, to a new speed limit in Billericay and Wickford High Streets – alongside bright arrows on the ground and other social distancing measures to help pedestrians keep safe – we’re helping our borough come back to life.
While shopping we have several new measures designed to help people protect themselves and each other, including:
• limits to the number of customers in a store at one time
• markings inside and outside stores to help with queue distancing
• one-way systems
To reduce financial pressures on residents, parking charges have been suspended until July 6 in all council owned car parks in Billericay and Wickford.
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However, car parks in Basildon town centre are not council owned, so you’ll still need to pay for this area.
As part of Shop Local Shop Safe you’ll also now find brightly coloured arrows on the ground in Basildon, Billericay and Wickford town centre shopping areas.
New style - Basildon town centre
The arrows are route markings to help pedestrians navigate new one way systems and maintain social distancing while out in busy public spaces.
They are on display alongside signage with easily recognisable social distancing signs to help people keep in mind the new common space.
Our staff are also out in Basildon, Billericay and Wickford’s shopping areas to help shoppers navigate changes in pedestrian flows and to help ensure a safe shopping experience.
Leader of Basildon Council, Councillor Gavin Callaghan said that the council wants to avoid the transmission of coronavirus but do so in a way that people can keep a social distance calmly, remove fears of bumping into people, and make sure traffic is moving at a safer speed.
“A new trial 20 mph speed limit is now in place in Billericay and Wickford high streets which both Basildon Council and Essex County Council have designed in conjunction with residents and local businesses,” Cllr Callaghan said.
“Across the borough you’ll also be encouraged to pay by card and many shops have installed panels to protect staff at tills.
“In these extraordinary times anything that we can do to help pedestrians maintain social distancing and support and stimulating our High Streets is a big win.
“To support our economy we have also been holding regular Zoom meetings with local retailers and they are a good way for us to review how these changes are working.
“We have also been making preparations with local retailers to ensure a smooth recovery over the months ahead in Basildon, Billericay and Wickford town centres, as well as in Laindon, Pitsea and the borough's outlying retails parks.”
When out shopping please follow these five pointers to ensure you and others around you have safe shopping experiences:
• Maintain social distancing
• Be patient when queuing
• Avoid shopping at peak times
• Keep your hands as clean as possible
• If you can, wear a face mask
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