Wider pavements are coming to Oakham town centre tomorrow (Thursday) as a one-way system is introduced.

The move follows 4Oakham and Oakham Town Council have making a request to Rutland Council Council for temporary traffic measures on Mill Street and in Market Place.

The aim is to provide more pavement space for pedestrians to social distance and outdoor seating areas for food and drink businesses.

These temporary measures feature a one-way system along Mill Street in Oakham, with vehicles travelling from north to south, in the direction of Oakham Fire Station.

A one-way system will also be introduced in Oakham Market Place, where access will be via Market Street only. These measures will be lifted on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when the barriers will be set aside to accommodate the market and stallholders.

On-street parking will be retained on Mill Street and in Market Place while these measures are in place.

The Councillor Lucy Stephenson, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "As more sections of our local economy reopen and people return to town centres to shop and socialise in greater numbers, it's important that we have the right conditions in place to help businesses operate and keep everyone safe."

Coun Stephenson continued: "The measures are necessary – because these are busy areas with narrow footpaths – and will hopefully boost business by giving more people the confidence to shop local.

"We must continue to do what's needed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 within our communities and we would like to thank residents for continuing to follow national guidance."