A decision has been taken by Herefordshire Council to close Commercial Street in Hereford to vehicles between the hours of 6pm and 4am, due to an increase in anti-social behaviour in the city centre.
Herefordshire Council says that the reason for the decision is:
During the Covid period there has been a change to the takeaway service,
there is now a number of vehicles collecting and delivering takeaways. This
has resulted in a significant increase in vehicles in Commercial Street.
In addition to the increase in vehicles, there has been an increase in
reports of anti-social behaviour.
The increase in vehicles increases the potential for conflict between
vehicles and pedestrians which is significant due to the night time
economy.
The Council went on to explain further saying that the closure is in response to actions being carried out and been implemented in consultation with West Mercia Police.
The closure implementation is being undertaken as part of the Traffic
Management function as part of the Public Realm Contract, therefore no
financial implications for the council. The closure will segregate vehicles from pedestrians which will enhance the area in relation to becoming a safer environment.
Full Decision:
Timing of closure to be 18:00hrs to 04:00 and to restrict parking in the
Union Street Loading Bays to 15 minutes only between the hours of 18:00
and 06:00 hours.
