Forum topic: Covid-19: Rethinking our streets
Covid-19: Rethinking our streets
PGC Webmaster
22 Apr 2020 19:55 #5322
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"Social distancing" has drawn attention to how narrow many pavements are and what a small percentage of the space on our streets is devoted to the walking - supposedly at the top of the transport mode hierarchy. London Living Streets, which brings together the various borough-level Living Streets branches in the capital, has published an important discussion paper about how streets should be re-evaluated in the face of Covid. As the authors point out, the ideas reflected the situation in mid-April, and the situation will undoubtedly evolve
At national level Living Streets is suggesting that we contact councillors with suggestions for reallocating space for people on foot where social distancing is proving difficult. As well as emailing councillors using the form provided by Living Streets, it would also be good to share ideas on the PGC forums - just add comments at the end of this article.
Let's make more space for social distancing
The demands of social distancing have seen cities around the world respond with ingenuity, reorganising public space and reallocating road space to make it safer for people to walk or cycle.
Now a temporary easing of rules by the Department for Transport means local authorities in England can do the same. We believe it's an opportunity we must seize.
At this time, it's vital that we can all walk and cycle safely - be it keyworkers getting to their jobs or people taking daily exercise and going to the shops.
As we all know, this means keeping at least two metres away from others. This isn't easy on some narrow pavements, and walking in the road is no better as vehicles speed up along streets that are quieter than normal.
Here's where you come in
Widening pavements, filtering streets, lowering speed limits, even pedestrianisation are options councils are already looking into.
Do you know of streets near you that need space reallocated to those on foot?
Using our simple online form, write to your local councillor and ask them to do what they can to put people first on local streets. You can even tell them which areas they need to prioritise and why.
Let's put pedestrians at the top of the transport hierarchy, starting now.
Take care, stay healthy and stay happy,
Matthew Cunningham
Digital Engagement Coordinator
Living Streets
PS Please remember: Walk locally. Choose open spaces. Wash your hands when you get home. And above all, remain two metres apart from others.
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Covid-19: Rethinking our streets
Neil Littman
23 Apr 2020 09:35 #5323
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Covid-19: Rethinking our streets
Simon Broughton
23 Apr 2020 19:16 #5324
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The only long term answer which will not leave a pollution nightmare for future generations is hydrogen vehicles but there seems very little support for this. Electrical vehicles, which seem to be all the rage, will leave a massive disused battery problem to cope with in the future. Hydrogen fuel will not.
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Covid-19: Rethinking our streets
Karl Brown
24 Apr 2020 14:26 #5325
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I’ll try to remember to leap right over the road next time I want to cross so that I i know my place; and as for the idea of having pavements on BOTH sides of a carriageway, surely that’s a luxury we pedestrians can do without for the good of others on wheels with places to get to.
Dig out the statistic of just how much public space in London is actually road, cross that with the percentage of Londoners and visitors who are pedestrians and then maybe think the comment through again.
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Covid-19: Rethinking our streets
Adrian Day
24 Apr 2020 16:02 #5326
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Covid-19: Rethinking our streets
Adrian Day
24 Apr 2020 16:07 #5327
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Covid-19: Rethinking our streets
RIchard Crutchley
24 Apr 2020 16:17 #5328
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Covid-19: Rethinking our streets
Hal Haines
24 Apr 2020 16:48 #5331
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