Yahoo News North Wales street on England-Wales border has two sets of lockdown rules
Some people think the latest lockdown rules are confusing enough - but they’re even more confusing on one street that has found itself subject to two sets of restrictions.
Boundary Lane in Saltney, Flintshire, sits right on top of the border between England and Wales, meaning since lockdown rules were loosened in the former but not the latter, one set of rules applies on one side, and another on the other.
On the side that sits in England, people can sunbathe, travel to other destinations and play sport with people from the same household.
But on the Welsh side, ‘Stay at Home’ is still the message and people have to stay local to exercise.
Veronica Gay, Flintshire county councillor for Saltney Stonebridge, who lives nearby on the Welsh side, said: “Last week people thought big changes were going to be announced to the lockdown on Sunday, but that was not the message from the Prime Minister, after the Welsh Government had already announced its changes on Friday.
“There was confusion and I have seen questions coming to me and in Facebook, about what people can now do.
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Gay said: “At the moment we have people living on the Welsh side of Border Lane, who are storing some rubbish in their gardens because the recycling centres aren't currently open in Flintshire - but on the other side the bin lorries are taking stuff away.
“On the Welsh side, they can only go out locally, but the other side in England can drive to the Lake District or down to Brighton.”
Linda Astbury, 69, who lives on the English side of the road, said: “I went for a walk and it occurred to me that I was crossing over into the Welsh and then back over into England - normally I wouldn't think about it.
“I was thinking technically whether I should be entering Wales - but I'm sure its fine, I usually shop on the Welsh side in Morrisons and if I was prevented from doing that - then that would be silly.
“I prefer being on the English side, because I think under these rules I have more autonomy. I do my walks and as long as I keep two metres apart and don't do anything I shouldn't - that's fine. But of course maybe not everybody will follow the rules.”
But Anne Anboorallee, who also lives on the English side, prefers the Welsh restrictions.
The 66-year-old recently retired as a secretary for the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust so has seen firsthand the efforts made by NHS staff.
She said: “It was a bit confusing, but if you think about it I know what I can do and can't do.
“It seems ridiculous that I can do things that people 30 yards away can't.
“I actually prefer the Welsh restrictions at the moment and feel more comfortable and safer with those rules.”
