Thornbury residents have called a meeting to discuss the changes made to the town's high street.

The decision to close the high street to traffic, with the exception of deliveries and pick ups/drop offs has proved controversial.

The meeting will take place in the Severnside Suite at Thornbury Leisure Centre at 7.30pm on Thursday, September 9.

Meanwhile, South Gloucestershire Council has announced briefing sessions on the changes to the high street.

These will take place on Monday, September 6 between 9.45am and 4.30pm and council officers will be on hand to explain the changes and answer questions.

The sessions are being held in 15-minutes slots and anyone who would like attend will need to book a place via eventbrite.com/e/167591756455.

Those attending are asked to observe social distancing and encouraged to wear face masks.

Experimental traffic orders, in place for some of the measures, expire in January.

To implement the changes long-term, permanent orders are required. There will be a Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) period of public consultation from September 1.

You will be able to have your say on the TROs from this date at southglos.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/consultations.

South Gloucestershire Council's cabinet member for communities and local place, Rachael Hunt, said: “Thornbury High Street is at the heart of the town and our vision is to help that heart beat more easily, to maintain access for traders and those with mobility issues of course, but to encourage more people to walk and cycle there and to spend more time enjoying the unique surroundings of the town centre.

“Many business owners and visitors have told us that reducing traffic has made the area more pleasant to spend time in, but we want to hear from local people now about the best way to make the changes permanent, so we can all see the high street come back from the disruption of the pandemic in a strong way that will ensure it thrives into the future.”