Alicia Kearns MP 3 hrs · Rutland County Council have worked extremely hard to put forward several measures to support the re-opening of non-essential shops from today. Really? Nothing was visible here in Oakham Today

Alicia Kearns MP
3 hrs ·
Rutland County Council have worked extremely hard to put forward several measures to support the re-opening of non-essential shops from today.

To accommodate the return of shopping to our area safely, free parking will be available in Oakham and Uppingham for those travelling by car. I am pleased that there has also been an additional bike rack installed in Uppingham.

A one-way system will also be shortly introduced on Oakham High Street, but on street parking will still be available when this change is implemented.

Rutland Council received £35,6500 to support its high street re-opening programme to focus on the safety of residents and workers (and later tourists). I welcome that this funding has been used to bolster our local economy, while making it safer and more efficient for residents to support our local businesses.



As the shops opened this morning most of them around 10.00am Oakham's High was quite busy people having to walk in the busy road to pass safely on the narrowest part of the pavement.

Instead of congratulating Rutland County Council our MP should be asking why with all the notice given by the government nothing has been done in our town to help people use our town centre safely.

Why Oakham Town Council has done nothing for the residents of the town since the start of the pandemic?

Oh silly me, the mayor went shopping at Tesco twice and bought food to give to NHS staff at Oakham Hospital, Not wanting to sound as if I don't support the NHS, but why was he spending our money in that way on NHS staff? I might be cynical but could it have something to do with his ego and the publicity given to him by the Melton and Rutland Labour Party. Money was also spent on providing Rutland Care Village with Personal Protection Equipment, Rutland Care Village is owned by own of the largest and richest private care providers in the country.

In the Rutland Mercury the planned one way system for Oakham high street is described as temporary, I would guess it will become permanent.

I like the reporter from the Rutland Mercury went into town early this morning to photograph shops that were opening today or later in the week. It was all quiet.
Later on as shops opened most of the shops opened at 10.00am The traffic in the high street was horrendous a lot of people driving around looking for a parking spaces. Rutland County Council has not made it very obvious that all its car parks are still free.

The town council has done nothing to prepare the town for safe visits by shoppers. The article suggests they are working with Rutland County Council to get some paths widened. Signs and markings to assist with social distancing. Why did they not do this days ago. The government gave plenty of notice. Once again it proves how pointless Oakham town council is. If people don't feel safe they will get into their cars and shop in other much better organised towns.

I feel both the Town and County Council have let down the residents and all the business owners who have prepared for today.