Portsmouth City Council leader defends decision to keep roads closed following criticism from seafront businesses

THE City Council has defended its decision to keep two Southsea seafront roads closed until September after coming under criticism from traders in the area.
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Portsmouth City Council closed Clarence and Eastney Esplanade Roads at the start of May after concerns escalated about maintaining social distancing along the promenade.

However, following the government’s reopening of non-essential shops on June 15 and confirmation of the leisure and hospitality industry’s resumption on July 4, seafront traders feel the roads should also be reopened to help reignite the local economy and have described the decision to keep the roads closed as ‘scandalous’.

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A joint letter to The News from the Clarence Pier Traders stated: ‘The roads are remaining closed despite Boris Johnson’s announcement to all those who represent the tourist areas of this country urging them to roll out the welcome mat rather than the the not welcome here sign.’

Signs on Southsea promenade reminding people of the need for social distancing. Roads have been closed since March to prevent overcrowding.

Picture: Sarah StandingSigns on Southsea promenade reminding people of the need for social distancing. Roads have been closed since March to prevent overcrowding.

Picture: Sarah Standing
Signs on Southsea promenade reminding people of the need for social distancing. Roads have been closed since March to prevent overcrowding. Picture: Sarah Standing
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The traders highlighted the loss of 500 seafront parking spaces and said there was ‘no logical reason behind this decision’.

The letter stated: ‘The reopening of the Esplanade to allow visitors to park is vital to the survival of the seafront’s economy and struggling businesses and never more so than now.‘We implore the Council to rethink this irrational decision and reopen the seafront roads to ensure its survival from July 4.’

However, Portsmouth City Council leader, Gerald Vernon-Jackson, has defended the stance and highlighted the recent scenes of overcrowding experienced at other south coast towns and cities such as Bournemouth and Brighton.

Portsmouth City Council leader, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, has defended the decision to keep Southsea seafront roads closed in order to maintain social distancing.

Picture: Habibur RahmanPortsmouth City Council leader, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, has defended the decision to keep Southsea seafront roads closed in order to maintain social distancing.

Picture: Habibur Rahman
Portsmouth City Council leader, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, has defended the decision to keep Southsea seafront roads closed in order to maintain social distancing. Picture: Habibur Rahman
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Councillor Vernon-Jackson said: ‘It is down to individual shop owners whether they wish to open. A lot of people like to walk an cycle along the promenade and the government’s message is, where possible, to still maintain a distance of two metres which becomes difficult if the area gets crowded.

‘We want to maintain safety and avoid the type of situation we have recently seen in places like Dorset.’

Cllr Vernon-Jackson also highlighted the Council’s record in handling the pandemic.

‘Despite having a dense population we have the 135th lowest infection rate out of 150 councils across the country,’ said Cllr Vernon-Jackson.

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