TRADERS in one of Oswestry’s busiest streets are torn over whether the decision to keep a trial one-way system in place after Covid-19 restrictions lift on Monday.

The one-way system has been in place in Church Street throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to allow for a pavement on one side of the street to be temporarily widened onto the road to encourage social distancing.

Shropshire Council confirmed the street will remain one-way as part of a wider trial to allow more room for pedestrians to walk past each other after restrictions end.

Jane Williams, manager at the Salvation Army shop in Church Street, believes the measures have made life difficult for shops in the street to receive deliveries, and for her shop in particular to receive donations.

She said: “To be honest, we’ve found it different because people usually stop outside to drop donations off for us.

“They find it difficult to do that now because they can’t park outside without holding traffic up.

“Also we have deliveries, so when they park outside they hold all the traffic up. Every week we get a tonne of clothes delivered – the delivery driver can’t carry all that in by himself from further down the road.

“The way the bollards get kicked about anyway, I don’t really like them. It always was one way between 10am and 4pm anyway.

“They say it helps for social distancing, but what if you’re on the other side of the road?

"It’s the same as it always was.”

Emma Lawrence, of Lawrence Direct, believes the one-way system and extended width of the pedestrian area on one side of the street has had the desired effect for social distancing, but does not think it has helped to encourage more footfall.

“I think we just need to get people back on the street,” she said.

“I don’t think the one-way system has helped that all too much. But I don’t think it’s the fault of the one-way system, it’s just life in general at the minute.

“It has worked social-distancing wise, but it’s a pain for the lorries delivering because there’s no loading bay outside for them.

“I think it’s probably helping some people feel safer with regards to Covid.”

Lucy Lowry, who works at Pickles & Co, is hopeful the extension of the system will put more people at ease when visiting Oswestry.

She believes those who do not feel ready for restrictions to end will feel reassured by the measures which will still allow social distancing for those who wish to do so.

“I think it’s a positive thing and I think it keeps things a bit safer,” said Lucy.

“I think the main improvement that could be made is maybe having a similar arrangement to Cross Street where it is closed for vehicles during the day and open at night.

“I don’t think it has affected footfall too much, but it may have made some people feel safer coming here.

“With the restrictions lifting on Monday, I think it will help people to feel safer for longer and the more space they have, the more opportunity there is for people to carry on social distancing if they wish to.

“I know there are a lot of people who will be quite nervous about the restrictions lifting on Monday, so measures like this might make them feel a bit safer about coming into town.”