Denbighshire County Council is reminding residents of changes to traffic enforcement on Bodfor Street and Queen Street in Rhyl.
Work is underway on an 18-month trial of town centre improvements after Denbighshire County Council was successful in its bid for Welsh Government funding.
The funding, part of the Local Sustainable Transport COVID Response Fund 2020-21, will be used to introduce improvements that facilitate social distancing and make it easier for people to travel actively within town centres.
The loading and disabled bays on the east side of Bodfor Street and Queen Street have been suspended to allow the pavements on that side to be widened and the bays have been moved to the west side of Bodfor Street and Queen Street, replacing the previous parking bays.
Therefore the west side of Bodfor Street and Queen Street are now subject to parking restrictions and enforcement but the Council will be taking a light touch approach to enforcement until 8am on Monday, December 7, 2020 to help people get used to these changes.
The process of refunding motorists who had previously been given a penalty charge notice during the initial period of the changes has now begun.
Cllr Brian Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways, Transport and the Environment, said: “As well as introducing improvements that facilitate social distancing, the trial contributes to the Council’s aim of introducing a network of active travel routes that provide excellent access to the town centre and other key destinations.
“More than 400,000 trips are made on foot and by bike along Rhyl promenade every year and this trial will also encourage more people to cross from the promenade into the town centre as well as providing opportunities for journeys using different modes of transport.
“Encouraging active travel helps reduce car journeys, improves air quality and offers safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists as well as providing health and well-being benefits. It also complements the Council’s work on the Rhyl Vision document with the aim of regenerating the town centre and promenade areas.
“There was generally strong support for the Rhyl plans and we were happy to support these proposals going forward. The project will be under constant review and members of the public will be able to give feedback throughout the trial period using our online public engagement portal while officers will continue to engage with businesses and Rhyl Town Council.
“We will be keeping disruption to a minimum during the work and we would like to thank residents and businesses for their understanding.”
Other works in Rhyl will include the introduction of a widened pedestrian area on the south side of West Parade from its junction with Queen Street and its junction with Edward Henry Street.
This widening will be achieved through the introduction of bolt down kerbing and will provide enhanced facilities for people to social distance and travel actively.
Any motorist who received a penalty charge notice on Bodfor Street and Queen Street and paid by cheque or Allpay should contact [email protected] or telephone 01824 708489, the council will be refunding those who paid by other means directly.
The Council will collect feedback from residents, businesses and visitors once installation works are complete and this will include surveys and reports back to the public for the duration of the trial period, further details will follow.
