Work on the permanent pedestrianisation of Thornbury High Street finally got underway last week.

New road markings for vehicles and loading bays have been put in place.

The high street’s future was decided at a meeting of South Gloucestershire Council’s cabinet in June following a 12-month trial.

Plans were approved for the road to stay shut, other than for deliveries and pick ups/drop offs.

The work was due to be carried out in June, but a council spokesperson said agreeing the design for the interim scheme took ‘slightly longer than anticipated’.

When the high street proposals were approved an amendment for more on street Blue Badge parking spaces to be created was made.

Asked about when this would happen, a council spokesperson said: “Later this summer we will be submitting a multimillion-pound bid for funding through the West of England Combined Authority to deliver on our vision for Thornbury High Street as a welcoming and attractive destination for all which supports the economic prosperity of the town.

“We have already installed dedicated Disabled Blue Badge parking, and whilst we will not be reviewing this for the interim scheme, this will be considered again ahead of the final vision. We are working closely with the Town Centre Partnership and new equality and accessibility focus group, and will be engaging with businesses and residents on areas including the positioning of disabled parking bays, drop-off and pick-up points and the allocation of space for businesses wanting to make use of the outside area.

“The interim scheme will focus on changing priorities at the Castle Court junction and a clearly defined route for the traffic that needs to access the High Street for deliveries. Loading bays will be added and can also be used by all shoppers for up to 20 minutes. Re-lining will also be carried-out to tidy-up the lay out.”