A SCHEME to close Maldon High Street to cars – making it accessible only to buses, cyclists and pedestrians – has been proposed by council officers.

The proposed scheme will be put to public consultation next month. Maldon District Council's (MDC's) full council meeting on Thursday, October 1, will discuss the plans laid out in a report prepared by officers for the meeting.

Background to the plans

The plan comes as part of MDC's response to the pandemic and is part of the phased Covid-19 High Street Recovery Plan.

MDC officers originally hoped that Essex County Council (ECC) would agree to proposals to make the High Street one-way and introduce a speed limit of 10mph. ECC's agreement could have helped MDC bid for a share of a Government fund to support active travel.

However, ECC did not support the significant change to the town's road layouts proposed. The county council "stated categorically" that it would not support the original plan due to the impact on bus services.

Despite this, the two authorities are now "committed to develop a future permanent scheme" based on plans drawn up by ECC, to widen pavements and "reallocate substantial road space to pedestrian use".

Some feedback on the plans has already been gathered, with The Maldon Business Board giving full support to increased pavement space on the High Street.

The full public consultation has been planned to run from 5 October to 16 November.

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Challenges to overcome

Issues anticipated by council officers in putting the plans in place include:

• making provision for Blue Badge holders

• safety concerns
• pedestrian crossings
• church access
• provision for cyclists
• refuse collection
• emergency services access
• how and where taxis are to be accommodated
• number of signs and barriers required and the impacts these will have.

Benefits the scheme would bring

As well as aiding the post-pandemic recovery of Maldon High Street by helping people feel safer when using the pavement space as it would be easier to maintain social distance, the plans improve air quality and promote healthier lifestyles through cycling and walking opportunities.

Funding for the scheme is likely to come from two sources currently available - the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund, where £57,000 is available directly to MDC and a £250million fund released under the Traffic Management Act 2004, of which £9.1m is available directly to Essex County Council.