Peninsula businesses preparing to open their doors again in the next few weeks from the coronavirus lockdown are being urged to crack on with safety measures for their stores.

And more than 60 proposals for road and pavement changes to help facilitate lockdown easing had been made within just a couple of days.

The Safer Spaces scheme aims to help reduce the risks around businesses and public areas re-opening with social distancing measures, and included three pillars of work to tweak roads and pavements – from small scale pavement markings to larger semi-permanent road changes.

Although the funding is mainly aimed at the larger shopping ares, smaller hot sports such as in Holbrook and Brantham could be included.

According to Suffolk County Council's highways team, 50-60 proposals had been submitted at the start of the week ranging from small scale pavement markings to larger works.

Funding for those had been given directly from the government to district and borough councils, but medium and larger scale works which could include road signs, traffic orders or work in the road itself would need to be done by Suffolk Highways.

Babergh leader John Ward welcomed the funding and the district is already gearing up for the changes.

He said: "It is great news that a gradual relaxation of lockdown is now possible so that many of our high street businesses can resume trading and people can get out more to enjoy the wonderful spring weather we have been having.

"I am really pleased that so many proposals for ensuring safe shopping and enjoyment of public spaces have already been made by our communities and I know Suffolk County Council is working hard to evaluate and agree many of them. I welcome their pragmatic approach to allow town and parish councils to make minor pavement changes themselves.

"All this, together with the help provided by the Suffolk Resilience Forum's 'Safer Places' group, will I am sure mean that Suffolk is well-prepared to open up whilst ensuring everyone's safety."

Andrew Reid, cabinet member for highways said: "We have a number of proposed schemes put in front of us and it is a case of impact really.

"A number we are close to agreeing and it is done on a case-by-case basis.

"If we are going to be making changes to pavements then we would be completely swamped and we just don't have the resources to do that, which is why parish and towns and encouraged to do those themselves.

"[Requests for work] are coming in steadily but they are also advancing steadily. Some are straightforward and others are slightly more nuanced but we don't feel like we are under any huge pressure at this juncture."

The county council said it was keen to keep as much of its normal programme of road maintenance going as normal, but admitted there could be some short term reallocation of resources to the lockdown easing measures.

Meanwhile, businesses are being tasked with putting in place the additions they need in their stores to keep people socially distanced, but a special 'Safer Places' group has been set up through Suffolk Resilience Forum to support those firms in their work.

David Collinson from the group said: "The safety of our communities is the most important thing as our high streets and businesses recover.

"Ultimately, businesses are responsible to ensure the safety of their staff and customers, but through the Safer Places group, we're doing everything we can to support them and help reduce the risk of infection.

"While the most effective way to slow the spread of the virus is to stay at home we understand that people will want to visit the high street and parks, so we are supporting businesses and authorities to make these places as safe as possible.

"Everyone has a role to play in keeping each other safe. We can do this by continuing to follow the government's instructions, such as keeping two metres apart from others, regularly washing our hands and limiting our use of public transport – think ahead about your hygiene.

"Suffolk has successfully slowed the spread of the virus, but we must all stick with it and keep following the guidance."