FURTHER measures are on the cards to improve pedestrian flow through Winchester.

The city council is talking to the county council about closing The Square to through traffic.

Green campaigners have been arguing for the move for more than 20 years, writes Andrew Napier.

Andy Hickman, head of programme, told the health and environment policy committee: “We were able to close The Square last weekend (July 4-5) and will be doing every weekend until we are able to implement semi-permanent experimental scheme.

“It is a difficult area to take traffic out of without upsetting businesses and residents so we have to be very careful.”

Another idea is for a cycle lane contraflow on the upper section of the High Street above Southgate Street.

Cllr Frank Pearson asked if thought had been given to reversing the traffic flow on Jewry Street and having it solely for buses, pedestrians and cyclists. The buses would turn left down St George’s Street and down to Friarsgate, saying it would cut congestion and improve air quality.

Another change could be at City Bridge where there is a very busy road and very narrow pavements. Several years ago there was a proposal for a new footbridge to run alongside the old bridge on the southern side.

Mr Hickman said a scheme was being designed at the moment. “It has been the desire of the county council to improve it for many years and make it more appealing for pedestrians.”

Measures to allow social distancing and hence ease the recovery have been introduced in the city centre, notably on North Walls and Jewry Street where carriageway has been reallocated as footways.

Mr Hickman said the measures, including the Hyde Street closure, appeared to be “working well. It gives a really good cycling and walking route to and from the city centre.”

On the buses social distancing meant that only 11 people could be carried rather than the usual 70 at rush hour. This was not an issue at the moment but would be once the economy picked up and more people returned to work.

Simon Finch, corporate head of service, said off-street parking was beginning to recover. Income dropped to almost nothing at the start of the lockdown compared to an average week of £120,000. It was now back to around £40,000.

During lockdown enforcement was eased with only dangerous parking targeted. Mr Finch said allowance was made for more people working from home.

Between now and August there would be ‘soft’ enforcement with warning notices issued rather than tickets. But full enforcement would return next month, said Mr Finch.

Another idea being considered is to set aside 200 places at the Pitt Manor park and ride, off Romsey Road, for NHS workers from the Royal Hampshire County Hospital.