Delivery drivers in Ashbourne are being urged to use new loading bays to avoid damage to the upgraded pavements on St John Street, which is due to reopen to traffic on Monday 8 September. Other drivers are also being asked to park in official car parks or on-street parking bays elsewhere in the town and avoid mounting kerbs, which could be dangerous for pedestrians as well as damaging the new paving.
The UK Government funded Ashbourne Reborn Highways and Public Realm project, led by the County Council, has seen a number of changes which are designed to improve the pedestrian experience and reduce the dominance of vehicles in the town centre. Alongside wider pavements and improved crossings, the road through the popular town centre shopping street is now narrower and only wide enough for a single vehicle to pass. This means that vehicles will not be able to park outside of the loading bays without obstructing the flow of traffic.
So that deliveries can be made safely, a number of new loading bays have been installed over part of the wider pavements, marked by a change in paving colour and regulatory signing. While vehicles load or unload, the pavement will temporarily be reduced in width, similar to the previous pavement width. The scheme includes more loading bays compared to the layout it is replacing, which was put in place as a temporary arrangement during the pandemic. However, if space is not available to make a delivery, drivers should either seek an alternative or drive round the block again. This is no different to other town centres or other drivers looking for a parking space.
The new loading bays have been strengthened to resist damage caused by heavy vehicles. Drivers are discouraged from mounting the newly laid pavements within the town centre, which are not designed for traffic, as this is likely to cause damage. Loading bays are also not intended for disabled or other parking, and any driver using them incorrectly could receive a penalty charge notice.
Monitoring and enforcement will be carried out by the County Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers along with local partners including the Police, and County and District Councils. If damage does occur and it can be attributed to drivers of particular vehicles or business premises, then the cost of repair will be recharged to them.
Ashbourne Reborn is a £15.9m programme aimed at transforming Ashbourne town centre through significant improvements to highways and public realm and the development of the Link Community Hub. It is funded by UK Central Government via the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
The District Council is the Accountable Body for Ashbourne Reborn, Derbyshire County Council is responsible for delivering the Highways and Public Realm project and Ashbourne Methodist Church the Link Community Hub. These partners work in collaboration with Ashbourne Town Team, Ashbourne Town Council and AshCom who brought forward proposals, identified opportunities and raised match funding for the original bid.
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