‘Streets for walking is an equalities issue for pedestrians’

Bristol Walking Alliance (BWA) has read reports of concerns for some local residents about the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood.

The proposals aim to reduce the dominance of vehicles in residential areas – particularly through-traffic – while maintaining essential vehicle access to homes and businesses.

The concerns include ease of access for some vehicle journeys.

Bristol City Council is responding quickly with a commitment to a further round of ‘co-design’ with the affected communities.

We welcome this council engagement with the local community to address genuine concerns.

Access for those who have to use a vehicle, including the disabled, is important.

The area in east Bristol where a liveable neighbourhood is proposed – image: Bristol City Council

In Bristol and in other cities where such schemes have been proposed, there have been reports of protests, with national political pressure groups sometimes joining in.

Sometimes these views are expressed rather loudly and thus appear to be the dominant view.

Sadly, even though it might not be the majority view, the government has responded to these loud voices and is now turning against liveable neighbourhoods. Bristol City Council has now paused the second liveable neighbourhood.

BWA campaigns for making the pedestrian environment better, and we want to reinforce the message that liveable neighbourhoods are in principle a good thing for those who travel on foot.

Liveable neighbourhood proposals, including those in east Bristol, are not just about street changes that quieten some streets, whilst making some car journeys a bit longer.

The changes in east Bristol will also include ‘pocket parks’ with planting and benches, street trees, better street lighting and improvements to signalised crossings.

Such measures are part of a ‘healthy streets’ approach that aims to benefit all residents, whilst allowing those who need to use a motor vehicle to continue to access the area.

It is a sad fact that not enough consideration is given to people on foot or using walking aids.

Why shouldn’t measures be taken to improve the streetscape for people on foot?

Why should pedestrians have to make do with what minimal space is left to enable cars to drive through our streets, and navigate around pavement space that is taken up by parked cars?

Why shouldn’t measures be taken that make residential streets safe for children to play in the street, or walk to school?

We all walk some of the time, so why should streets be designed solely for the needs of those who travel by car?

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Read more: Road closure plans for ‘liveable neighbourhood’ trial revealed

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In our society, many things are seen as an equalities issue. Why not think about streets for walking as an equalities issue for pedestrians? Pedestrians get the short straw.

In our society, many things are seen as an issue of constraint on personal freedoms.

Why not think about street design as a personal freedom issue for pedestrians?

Pedestrians are not free to use the streets if they feel unsafe or unwelcome in doing so. Pedestrians have rights too.

And that’s not to mention the other reasons for improving the street environment for walking.

Walking is good for physical health. Walking is good for mental well-being. Walking is good for the planet: it creates no carbon emissions. Walking is good for being sociable with others, which supports community cohesion. Walking is cheap. Walking works for those that can’t use a car.

Walking can support the local economy – if shops and services are within walking distance along a safe and welcoming route.

Liveable neighbourhoods start to redress the balance back in favour of pedestrians and, in doing so, we believe they are a good thing.

We sincerely hope that the co-design process will overcome some of the nervousness around Bristol’s first Liveable neighbourhood, and inspire plans for more in the future.

We hope too that the national and local politicians’ nervousness about liveable neighbourhoods will abate over time, and they will see the value in the schemes, and restore their support for them.

This is an opinion piece by Alan Morris – chair of Bristol Walking Alliance, a consortium of organisations and individuals campaigning to improve Bristol’s walking environment

Main image: Bristol City Council

Read next:

• Residents of major rat-run show support for liveable neighbourhood plans
• Nature connections: Steppin out with the Sistas
• Dozens join anti-liveable neighbourhood meeting in Bristol

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