A TOWN centre road closure has been removed more than a year after it was first brought in.

In June 2020, Eastleigh's High Street and Market Street were closed to vehicles to allow for safe social distancing in the area.

Over the past year there were calls to reopen the road with a group or residents and business owners forming the Eastleigh Town Centre Action Group and putting together a petition against the traffic order.

Now though, the roads have reopened as COVID-19 restrictions are eased across the country and social distancing and mask wearing are no longer mandatory by law.

Pay and display charges now apply again on Market Street, High Street and Leigh Road and the one-way system on Leigh Road has also made a return.

As well as this, the parking bay on Mitchell Road will be retained as a disabled bay.

This comes after an emergency motion was put forward by Eastleigh Local Area Committee to call on the county council to give the borough council control of the road closure in order to carry out a temporary experimental traffic order.

The county council refused this however and insisted that the roads must reopen when restrictions are eased.

A Council spokesperson said, “Pedestrians and drivers are reminded to be extra vigilant and take extra care as we all get used to the roads being reopened after over a year of being closed.

"The Council remains committed to working with local businesses, residents and other organisations to improve Eastleigh town centre in the future.

"This could include exploring options for a proper pedestrianised area as opposed to the road closure that was put in place for health and safety reasons during the Covid 19 pandemic.

"Any future plans would be developed with extensive consultation with local businesses, organisations and residents."