THE one-way system brought in to a major Oswestry street because of Covid-19 is set to stay as part of wider enhancements of the area, and will see an end to the disliked ‘hog barriers’.

Oswestry Business Improvement District (Bid) says the planned enhancements to Church Street have faced a series of challenges, but they will go ahead.

The work is set to include extensions to pavements, street furniture with garden planters, seating, and a defined one-way system to significantly improve safety for pedestrians while making for a "more attractive place to shop and live" in town.

A Bid spokesman said: “This project has been extremely challenging, but we are committed to bringing it to fruition.

“We all want to see the end of the Hog barriers that were initially put down in the heat of the Covid pandemic to provide much-needed social distancing in the town, and create a temporary one-way system on this section of Church Street.

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“Following the lifting of Covid restrictions, safety concerns were raised by Highways about the speed of vehicles travelling through and overtaking in this section, especially worrying during the night time economy when lots of people would be on the street walking home.

“This is the key reason why the Hogs were left in place, to ensure public safety until more permanent improvements were made.”

The Bid added that after the relaxation of Covid rules, a number of stakeholders across Oswestry and Shropshire were keen to keep the ‘clear’ safety benefits, with projects from around the UK used as examples.

Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for growth, regeneration and housing, welcomed the development.

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He said: “The current set up in Church Street is in place to protect members of the public and to align with health and safety requirements for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.

“We understand the public want to see change, and we are investigating several alternatives to the current set up for the interim period before permanent works are established.”

Oswestry Town Council added that it is pleased that a solution has been found and will be delivered in the upcoming months.

A spokesman for the council said: “The temporary solution, whilst necessary, was in place for far too long and generated significant public dissatisfaction.

“We would like to thank Oswestry Bid for their persistence and look forward to seeing the improvements which will make Church Street a more pleasant place to spend time on.”

Adele Nightingale, Oswestry Bid Manager, accepted delays to the scheme have been very frustrating but is determined the outcome will be welcomed and a vast improvement on before.

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“We’re going as quickly as we can,” she said.

“The new street layout has to meet a series of important checks, as with any highways scheme, all of which takes time, including stringent highways regulations, conservation requirements, and consideration of drainage solutions, among others.  

“The current positions of the loading bay and Blue Badge bay will remain as part of the new layout.

“Bid have secured £70,000 from the Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) funding for the planters and street furniture, all of which have been purchased and are in storage ready for installation.

“Once designs and dates for works have been confirmed, BID will provide an update through the press and on our social media platforms.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their patience.

“We’re on the final lap now – here’s to a rejuvenated Church Street in the upcoming months.”