A TOWN council is recruiting traffic marshalls in order to monitor the access-only rule to its narrow shopping streets.

Traders in Looe have welcomed an assurance by the town council it will keep the East Looe open to vehicles that need to get through.

In last week’s Cornish Times we reported that the Looe Business Forum had been formed by traders who feared the Council were considering pedestrianisation of the central streets in the town.They were worried, particularly, about the access for deliveries.

The Town Council wants to ensure safety for both visitors, locals and traders over the summer months, when crowds in the streets can get even more jammed together as vehicles drive through.

But some traders worry that a longer-term idea for pedestrianisation could have been on the cards.

Meetings between the Town Council, Forum representatives and MP Sheryll Murray have taken place with a view to having everyone’s voices heard.

One comment from the forum had been that if the existing access-only rule were enforced in East Looe, it would help the ease the potentially dangerous situation between motorists and pedestrians who will be trying to social distance.

Speaking after the meetings, businessman Mark Richards said: ’The Town Council said they’re looking to get a marshal to stand at the head of the road to make sure people have a good reason for access.

’If this happens, it’s a positive step. They’ve said that this arrangement will be in place until Sepetmber and then they’ll look at it again, with the caveat that everything is dependent on what happens with Covid.’

Now, the Council says it is advertising for two part-time street marshalls to be stationed at the entrance to Fore Street.

’They will be there between 11am and 5pm seven days a week to assist visitors and monitor traffic flow,’ said a Town Council spokesperson.

’The meeting with businesses went well and we are in communication regarding next steps. We are also working in collaboration with other organisations on wide ranging additional measures to support residents, visitors and businesses.

’Our second survey has now closed and we are analysing the results.’

Gift shop owner Jamie Pearn, who started up the Forum, said that he felt the Council had ’backtracked’ from its plans.

’They pretty much implied that there was always going to be access for businesses and that they’d put measures in place to make sure access-only is enforced. But they haven’t been able to get anyone to do it yet (the marshalling) and it could take a while.

’I feel like they have to listen to us now that we’ve got a platform of businesses involved.’