THE leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council has described the announcement Warwickshire will remain in tier 3 as "bitterly disappointing".

This follows a challenge made by the council to "retract" the decision to put the district in the tier along with the rest of Warwickshire, and instead place it into tier 1 or 2.

The council, which covers Alcester and Studley, sent a judicial review pre-action protocol (PAP) letter to Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Following the national tier review, Cllr Tony Jefferson, Leader Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: "This is bitterly disappointing news that Stratford-on-Avon District remains in the highest tier restrictions. Especially as we have all worked really hard together to keep the level of infection rates down locally, compared to the rest of Warwickshire.

"As I said previously, when we embarked on our legal challenge to the original Tier announcement following the second lockdown, the District Council has been supportive of all of the measures that the Government has put in place throughout the pandemic and shared the common objective of keeping our residents safe. But the frustration against this decision still remains, despite being assured of being reviewed at a lower level.

"Nevertheless, it is important to remember that being in the Very High Alert category is not just about infections rate and falling cases, it's more complex than that. We have to look at the rates in all age groups, particularly older people who are more vulnerable to the virus; and we have to take into consideration the pressure on our local hospitals and NHS services."

Residents have raised concern for the hospitality industry in the district, with the restrictions having a "devastating impact" on future economic recovery.

The council leader added: "The only good news is that the Government has now accepted the principle that lower tier local authorities can be considered separately from upper tier authorities. So, if rates diverge in future Stratford-on-Avon District can be considered separately from Warwickshire. This may be very significant in the New Year when I hope all our metrics show reductions and we can then escape Tier 3.

"I would ask everyone to continue to follow the guidelines and help us to get out of Tier 3."