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grahame
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« on: April 03, 2020, 13:11:30 » |
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-52146227As millions of people around the world adjust to working from home and travelling less frequently, roads and public transport systems have become noticeably quieter.
But that's had some unintended consequences.
In New Zealand, the reduction in traffic and the focus on social distancing measures has led to more people walking in the road rather than on then pavement.
This can be dangerous, and so the government has launched a $7m (£3.3m; $4.1m USD) pilot fund to help councils reallocate road space and make safe travel easier during the Covid-19 outbreak.
"Projects could be anything from piloting a new walking or cycling facility to... trialling a low-traffic neighbourhood or reallocating more street space for people," a statement announcing the fund said.
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Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
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froome
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« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2020, 07:58:36 » |
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Councils are even more strapped for cash than before, so unless money is found from elsewhere, it won't happen here. There is political will in some quarters for this sort of action, and with a new chancellor in position, with the right sort of lobbying at a time like this, one can but hope...
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CyclingSid
Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 2101
Hockley viaduct
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« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2020, 09:19:25 » |
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CyclingUK, along with Brompton Bicycle, British Cycling, London Cycling Campaign, the Bicycle Association, Sustrans, The Ramblers and the Director of Public Health, Barts Health NHS Trust, are asking: https://www.cyclinguk.org/news/joint-call-more-space-cycling-during-virusI am not convinced they will be lucky, but if you don't ask? And for Brighton don't just talk, do it! https://therantyhighwayman.blogspot.com/2020/04/its-least-they-could-do.htmlnot exactly earth shattering but proves it is possible. Just don't expect Bournemouth to follow any time soon. |
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« Last Edit: April 19, 2020, 09:30:50 by CyclingSid »
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Marlburian
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« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2020, 12:01:24 » |
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This morning I did a roundabout walk to get a newspaper and milk. Very few people out and about, mostly joggers and cyclists. Lots of good will to and from other walkers. I was walking down one pavement when I saw one group of five or six coming towards, with one guy out in the road making hand gestures. I did wonder if he was signalling to me, but he seemed to be demonstrating a safe distance to his companions. I went out into the road, he made no move to move in for me, then I realised the group probably comprised neighbours who were socially-distancing. I moved out into the centre of the road to safely pass by them all.
No problem, but I did wonder how a group of that size would have manoeuvered itself to accommodate, say, a pram; and, as more traffic returns, how dangerous it may become for pedestrians to take to the roads.
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rogerw
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« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2020, 16:45:13 » |
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Great in theory, but there will be a need to maintain vehicular access to properties, although probably it would still reduce the number of vehicles
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I like to travel. It lets me feel I'm getting somewhere.
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2020, 18:20:07 » |
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Certainly with the 'mini-Holland' schemes (a name I don't like but it seems to have stuck) implemented over the last couple of years in various places, access is never cut off. Various streets become dead ends to cars but maintain through movement on foot or bike and measures are implemented to reduce speeds, encourage other road uses and funnel main road traffic on to main roads.
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Waiting at Pilning for the midnight sleeper to Prague.
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