TRADERS in Jericho are urging Oxfordshire County Council to reopen Walton Street to traffic in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

The council closed the street to traffic at its junction with Worcester Street and Beaumont Street last year with barriers and is consulting the public on whether the closure should be permanent.

READ AGAIN: Huge queues at Tesco for NHS shopping hour

Some residents are in favour of the closure but others, including some business representatives, are opposed to it.

Oxford Mail:

A spokeswoman for the recently formed Jericho Traders Association said it alongside Jericho Connections was making a ‘heartfelt plea' to the council to reopen the southern access into Walton Street in Oxford as an emergency measure following Monday’s announcement from the Government of unprecedented measures to do ‘whatever it takes to support the economy’.

Oxford Mail:

She added: “Many Jericho businesses (already struggling because of the road closure) are now relying on making deliveries to survive the next few months and dozens will have to close if these measures are not enough to save them.

"Many, if not all, of the Jericho businesses will not have sufficient insurance to be covered for closure during a pandemic.”

READ AGAIN: Bus to allow free travel for elderly

One Walton Street business which decided last week to shut on a temporary basis is Riverman Records, a record store which opened in November.

Owner Andy Tucker tweeted: "General anxiety about being a hub, albeit a tiny hub, of potential virus spread has led to the decision to close our doors for the foreseeable future.

Oxford Mail:

"Thank you to all of the customers who have bought records over the last four months, hopefully see you all again soon."