Denbighshire main streets will be turned into one-way systems to allow pedestrians more room to pass after lockdown.
Welsh Government funding of £981,000 has been secured by Denbighshire county council to adapt traffic flows in Denbigh, Rhyl, Llangollen and Ruthin.
The Denbigh scheme will see traffic cut to one lane by Lidl, going up Vale Street, with more room for pedestrians to pass each other as non-essential shops reopen.
The one-way system will continue up past Vale Street car park where it will change lanes and continue down to Lenton Pool.
Bodfor Street, Rhyl
Traffic will then use Barker’s Well Lane to filter back down towards the bottom of town via Grove Road and Station Road.
The council has used emergency powers to make the changes, which it says will “safely reopen our town centres for visitors”, making social distancing, walking and cycling easier.
Denbigh Upper and Henllan councillor Glenn Swingler has welcomed the move.
He said: “I will support anything that will keep the car parks free and it will be monitored very closely as to the effects on businesses.
“Anything that increases footfall to or town centre is a good move and this is only supposed to be temporary for 18 months.
“It will almost certainly be extended if it works.
Vale Street, Denbigh
“Hopeful it will kick-start the local economy after Covid, get people walking more and allow people to pass each other more safely.”
In Rhyl footpath widening on the eastern side of Bodfor Street, with some parking moved to the other side of the road, would be among improvements made. Disabled parking will still be catered for.
There will also be a scheme to make visibility better at the Bodfor Street, Queen Street and Russell Road junction near the Town Hall.
Lead member for transport, waste and environment Cllr Brian Jones said: “We have a number of plans for the county and we will be seeking feedback from members of the public following their introduction.
“We will also be carrying out extensive monitoring of the projects we implement in order to fully assess their effectiveness.
“By making our town centres more accessible for active travel we can help support the county’s businesses, improve air quality in our towns, help protect the environment and improve the health of our residents.”
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