Peninsula preparing to come out of lockdown

By Derek Davis

5th May 2020 | Local News

Although Boris Johnson is not expected to make an official announcement about how an easing of the lockdown will look like until Thursday, numerous people on the peninsula are already going out and about.

It has been noticeable by the increase in traffic along our main arterial roads, the A137, B1456 and B1080 that more people are venturing out.

With Ipswich market opening over the weekend, and Freston-based Young's seafood suppliers among the first three traders to take part, while ensuring appropriate safe selling, the town centre is attracting people from the peninsula and beyond.

McDonalds will this week open 15 of its restaurants, and other fast food outlets are considering opening within days.

Shops and post offices on the peninsula have been working slightly shortened hours but the Co-op stores at Holbrook and Brantham will be reverting to their pre-lockdown hours, as part of the East of England Co-op's new routine.

Hardware stores have already been open and many DIYers have been queuing and it is expected more and more shops will open this week, adding to car journeys, and more people going back to work.

Garden centres and other non-food shops are looking to re-open, along with other businesses, with staggered shifts and other social distancing measures put in place.

New guidelines are expected to be announce this week to enable businesses to reopen, this will mean more parents going to going and some will struggle for childcare and more pressure will be put on schools, such as Holbrook Academy.

Although many schools have stayed open for children of key-workers, or those youngsters considered needing special support, teachers have been warned June 1 could see some schools opening for more pupils, spread over the week.

While Suffolk County Council is looking at reopening its household recycling waste centres in the next couple of weeks, the tip between Chelmondiston and Shotley has already re-opened for peninsula users only, and it has been busy on Wednesdays and Saturday's. Signs reinforcing the social distancing rules are very clear.

Construction sites at Chelmondiston, Shotley and Brantham have seen more activity today and over the past week, as work on new homes has restarted.

Contractors at Admiralty Pier, Shotley Gate, have mainly been working individually on work inside the new three-bedroom homes on the waterfront.

Workmen at the Birch site on the Main Road are building seven, three bedroom homes, on the Old Stack Yard, Chelmondiston are aimed at those looking for affordable starter houses.

There are two sites being worked on in limited capacity in Brantham, and the Taylor Wimpey site could open in earnest next week.

All sites are suffering from a shortage of materials and timetables for competition depend on the supply chain improving.

With restrictions lifted, it is expected more people will visit the Shotley peninsula in their cars. There has been a noticeable amount of people coming on their bikes.

Although none of the pubs are expected to reopen, although some will resume their takeaway trade, visitors could use open spaces for picnics and barbecues, with the police limited in what action they can take.

Alton Water park has been closed since March 22 and currently has no plans to re-open but will follow government advice. Parks and other green areas are open to the public but Babergh and parish councils have not yet allowed the use of their play equipment areas.

Full peninsula Covid-19 round up and updates

For more information on current guidelines regarding Covid-19 go to Babergh website

     

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