THREE loading bays in Hexham will be cordoned off to provide essential queuing space for post office customers. 

The temporary measure, on Battle Hill, will be in place by the end of the week, and is part of a wider plan to help the town accommodate essential social distancing measures. 

Coun. Cath Homer, who serves on both Hexham Town Council, and Northumberland County Council, representing Hexham East, said the move was necessary in the interests of safety.

Following the closure of the Beales department store earlier this year, the post office was relocated to the newly-opened High Street Convenience Store, on Battle Hill, in February. 

Coun. Homer said: "The post office is now located at the convenience store, and customers need to queue outside while enabling pedestrians to walk along the pavement. 

"That area has become a bit of a pinch point. This is essential in terms of safely and enabling access to vital services."

The county council will be installing suitable cordons. In the meantime, motorists are asked to avoid the three loading bays outside the post office.