A raft of new safety measures are being introduced in district centres across Stockport in a bid to allow for better social distancing for pedestrians.
Some of the measures being introduced by Stockport council include a number of on-street parking bays being cordoned off to create larger footpaths and a series of 'road cushions' installed to slow traffic.
It says it wants to make areas safer, and encourage people to walk and cycle instead of using their cars.
It is also introducing new 20 miles per hour zones, and increasing the signage and road markings in existing ones.
Some parts of the borough, including Marple, Romiley and Reddish have already seen some measures installed, while Edgeley is expected to be next.
The work is being funded through a TfGM Safe Streets Save Lives grant and is intended to make it safer for residents to shop and visit pubs and restaurants.
In Edgeley, the measures include a barrier being installed on York Street to narrow part of the carriageway, while a number of informal parking areas and a loading bay will be blocked off.
In Romiley, the measures include a series of temporary speed cushions on Stockport Road and Compstall Road, as well as a temporary pedestrian crossing.
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Some parking bays in Broadstone Road in Reddish have been coned off so the space can be used by pedestrians, while in Marple, a series of speed cushions have been put down in Stockport Road.
The council says the measures will be in place until next Autumn, before it consults on whether or not to make them permanent if they prove popular.
Coun David Meller, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “As we learn to live with COVID-19, it is really important that the re-opening of our retail sector is done so as safely as possible.
"I am confident that we have done all we can across the borough to ensure it is a safe and welcoming place for you to shop, live, work and enjoy.
“These new measures in our district centres will help residents navigate the areas safely and maintain social distancing at all times, while encouraging people to walk or cycle over using the car.
“I am really grateful to those local councillors who have engaged positively with the Safe Street Save Lives campaign and offered their feedback on how best to support their communities’ district centres. If local traders and residents like the arrangements then there is the option to make them permanent.
“Our local businesses all need your support more than ever right now, so please support them by shopping local and giving back to the local economy.
“It was those local businesses that were there for us during the height of the pandemic earlier this year and will no doubt be there for us in the coming weeks as we wrestle with a rise in cases.”
A public consultation would take place before any decisions are made on whether the schemes are made permanent.
