To enable this to happen, public space will need to be re-modelled and road closures put in place as part of a phased approach.To begin with new directional walking systems will be introduced in the city centre and a number of staffed welcome pointswill be set up containing useful guidance and information.The new walking systems will be marked out with a series of arrows and lines on the ground on key city centre streets. They willencourage people to keep to the left, within a defined area, while walking. Queuing systems will be put in place to manageaccess to the shops.

What measures are being put in place to ensure people can socially distance from others?

The arrows and lines on the floor mark out the direction of travel, with queuing systems in place for people to access the shops. Where possible, the queuing system will be inside the shop, rather than out on the street. We ask everyone visiting the city centre to be patient and stay safe while the new system beds in.

Why have welcome stations been put in place?

The eight welcome points have been put in place to give guidance and information to visitors when they arrive in the city centre. Castle Street and Mill Lane will be closed to traffic, with new restrictions on Westgate Street and Lower St Mary Street. Only pedestrians, cyclists, buses, and those that need access to the street by car, either because they live there, they need to get to their business or to access a car park will be allowed entry. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions that the public may have.

Will hand sanitizer be available?

Yes, there will be a number of hand sanitiser points at the welcome stations for the public to use for free. Everyone coming into Cardiff will be encouraged to use the facilities available.

Are these measures permanent?

These measures are not permanent and have been put in place to open up the city centre safely, while restrictions are still in place due to COVID-19.

What are the plans for Castle Street?

Castle Street is being closed to all motorists, so that it can be transformed into a new covered, outdoor public space and eating area. Building and preparation work will begin on this now so it is ready when restrictions on the hospitality sector lift. It will enable restaurants and cafes to operate which would otherwise have been unable to because of social distancing restrictions in their premises. All details relating to this scheme are being discussed with businesses at the moment and further information will be released when it is available.

Why have you closed Castle Street? How will motorists be able to move from east to west?

To ensure that arrangements can start to be put in place, the road has to be closed. The closure was put in place at 12 Noon on Sunday June 21^stuntil further notice. Motorists are advised that the city centre should not be used as a through route. Instead they are asked to use the main arterial routes, via Western Avenue or the A4232 to move from East to West. Residents living in the inner city areas of Canton, Cathays, Grangetown and Riverside are able to use Penarth Road.

Why have you made Westgate Street and Lower St Mary Street for access and for buses only?

Restrictions have to be put in place to ensure the new pedestrian walking route can work effectively. Car parks on Westgate Street will be open for the public to use. These restrictions will ensure that these roads are not used as a through route by motorists, which will help the bus companies run a timely service.

How can the council install all of these changes without planning permission?

As stated above, these are not permanent arrangements, so this work doesn't require planning permission. The road closures have been put in place by legal order and we are working with our colleagues in licensing on interim arrangements that can be put in place to help trade in the new outdoor areas. Everything we are doing is designed to keep the public safe and to enable businesses to open up and recover from the effects of the pandemic and the restrictions it has placed on us all, safeguarding, as much as we can, thousands of jobs at the same time.

Who will be managing the queuing into shops and what happens if people ignore the directional walking system?

There will be a number of marshals working in the city centre to help visitors get used to the new system and assist shopkeepers and their staff. Ambassadors from FOR Cardiff will also be available to assist where necessary. We ask everyone to follow the system for their own safety and for the safety of others. Street marshalls and ambassadors will be in the city centre to encourage people to follow the guidelines. If anyone is concerned that guidelines are being breached we ask them to contact them for help.

When will the hospitality sector open again, with restaurants and pubs opening in the city centre?

The dates for the re-opening the hospitality sector hasn't yet been confirmed by Welsh Government. The Council, along with our partners, is keen to establish these outdoor areas so we are able to assist the trade, ready for when the announcement is given.

Will I have to walk around the whole of the city centre to get to a specific shop?

No. There will be areas on main junctions on key streets which have been designed to allow visitors to turn around. Just remember to do your best to keep to the left on your journey in the designated walking area.

How will people with mobility problems access the city centre with all the restrictions that have been put in place?

An Equality Impact Assessment is being produced and we will be working with our established focus group to work through these details. The new arrangements will improve pedestrian movement around the city centre, with motorists unable to use the city centre as a through route.

In the first instance, help and advice for people with disabilities including a motorised, buggy, pick-up service will be available. People will be able to go to any marshal or welcome point to call the buggy. They will also be able to approach street ambassadors for help or advice. Alternatively if they want to book a pick-up from the buggy from a designated parking bay in advance they can call 02920 873888 from Monday, June 22.

Have provisions been made for those who have sight problems, or the blind?

Again, this will all be addressed in the Equality Impact Assessment and we will work through the detail with our focus group. We are aware that social distancing is difficult for the partially sighted, so a series of measures will be assessed to try to help as much as possible.

Will disabled parking be available within the restricted zones? If not, where will the parking be available?

Yes, disabled parking will be available in the restricted zone. Disabled parking is available as normal on Churchill Way and Wharton Street. The council hasn't removed any disabled parking as part of these new arrangements.

What provision has been put in place to ensure that goods and services can be delivered to shops?

Deliveries can be made to shops in the city centre between midnight and 10am, so this has not changed. All businesses are advised to make deliveries during these hours, as deliveries will not be permitted outside these hours.

Given the restrictions on public transport due to social distancing, what alternative transport provision are you providing?

A new pop up cycleway has been put in place from Cathedral Road/Cowbridge Road junction, over Canton Bridge, along Castle Street, Duke Street and up to the North Road-Boulevard De Nantes junction.

The restrictions on Westgate Street and Lower St Mary Street have been put in place, not only to accommodate the new way of walking around the city centre but to assist the bus companies to deliver a timely service.

Additional infrastructure has also been put in place, such as new cycle parking and new taxi ranks for the taxi trade.

Will there be additional provision for cyclists?

As explained above, a new pop up cycleway has been put in place to allow cyclists to travel from the castle to the end of Queen Street. Additional secure cycle parking is also being explored to encourage travel by bike.

The Council is also exploring other possibilities where pop up cycleways could be put in place safely to encourage people to cycle.

Will there be extra parking for visitors?

All the city centre car parks will be open for the public to use. Due to social-distancing requirements, the capacity at these car parks will be reduced, but motorists will be signposted to car parks which do have parking spaces when they arrive in the city centre.

Will parking be free?

No, parking will have to be paid for. All fees for private car parks and on-street parking will return to normal and parking enforcement will be in place.

How will taxis be able to work in the city centre, if you have closed half of it for buses and access only?

The taxis will be able to drive on the roads which are for access or buses only if they have a fare and are dropping someone off on that street. Taxis will not be able to use these restricted roads as a through route and will not be able to access or drive along Caste Street or Mill Lane.

Will there be any additional taxi ranks?

Yes, as Mill Lane will be closed to all traffic, new taxi ranks are provided on either side of the closure point on Castle Street, by the Angel Hotel as well as a new rank at the bottom of Kingsway. The Council has been working with representatives from the taxi trade throughout this process.

How will the buses operate with the road closures and restrictions you have put in place?

Both Westgate Street and Lower St Mary Street will be for access only and buses to use. This will ensure that the buses can move around the city centre more easily, as the traffic flow will be reduced.

All buses that used to stop on Castle Street have been re-routed and all customers are strongly advised to visit the bus company's website for further information.

For information on Cardiff Bus, please visithttps://www.cardiffbus.com/

For more information on NAT services, please visit:https://www.natgroup.co.uk/

For more information on Stagecoach services, please visit:https://www.stagecoachbus.com/about/south-wales

For more information on National Express Services, please visit:https://www.nationalexpress.com/en

I am a resident living in the city centre, what consultation has taken place with residents on this scheme?

A letter giving information on the road closures and restrictions is being delivered to city centre businesses and residents with a contact email address for further information. Our aim is to help the city recover from the pandemic, to ensure the safety of residents, visitors and workers, and to do everything we can to safeguard jobs and businesses in Cardiff. Recovery arrangements are being worked on at pace as guidance changes. We thank residents for their patience and understanding while the city is adapted to help businesses re-open.

Will businesses be consulted before any further plans are brought into the city centre?

The Council has been working closely with FOR Cardiff and representatives from the business community as these changes are made. This engagement will continue to ensure that the measures that are in place are fit for purpose and assist businesses to trade safely in these difficult times  

How do I receive updates on the latest developments as they progress?

Information will be updated on the Visit Cardiff website as the scheme is developed, please visitwww.visitcardiff.com