CRITICS of Bradford on Avon's social distancing scheme says it will not work because it is not being properly monitored to gather data.

One resident, George Lunt, said: “The councillors claim that this is all so that the citizens of Bradford can walk safely through the town without being infected by coronavirus.

“There is no evidence whatsoever that this is a likely outcome from the actions taken.

“When the scheme was launched councillors stated quite explicitly that it was being closely monitored but this was untrue.

“Councillors then accepted that what had been said wasn’t true but that carefully monitoring of all aspects would start very soon - it hasn’t.”

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said the risk of someone contracting the Covid-19 coronavirus from passing an infected person on the Town Bridge was about 1/10,000.

He told Bradford on Avon Town Council: “There is no sustainable social distancing argument for these traffic restrictions imposed on us.

“Government compliance can be simply met by enforcing a one-way pedestrian flow over McKeever Bridge and back over the Town Bridge or close the town bridge to pedestrians. No traffic needs to be stopped.

“On the other hand, there is immediate, real and upsetting hardship being done to the town right now that will continue until you stop this scheme."

“At a time when communities, families and businesses are on their knees after lockdown, this attitude is unforgivable.”