Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Council accused of car-free-day cop-out
Authority passes decision about initiative to County Hall
Council bosses have been accused of passing the buck on plans for a car-free day in the city.
The authority has rejected calls for it to set up a working group on the idea, instead handing control of the proposal to Kent County Council.
Canterbury’s chief executive, Colin Carmichael, said handling the plan in-house could lead to a disaster similar to the failed Westgate Towers traffic trial.
But the move has sparked accusations the authority is “washing its hands” of Canterbury’s congestion problems.
“Traffic is at a standstill in Canterbury and now so is the prospect of a car-free day,” Green party spokesman Henry Stanton said.
“By referring the problem of congestion to Kent County Council, the city council is effectively washing its hands of the matter.
“This is an abdication of responsibility for the health of Canterbury’s residents. If this council is not prepared to stand up for them, who will?”
Councillors of all parties had backed a proposal to empty the city’s roads of vehicles to promote alternative forms of transport and improve traffic and air quality.
Few concrete details were available about the initiative, except that it might have involved road closures and was proposed for a date in the second half of September.
Last month, the Canterbury Area Member Panel agreed to set up a cross-party working group to look into the idea.
But the council’s policy and resources committee last Wednesday voted by nine to three to hand the plans to KCC.
Speaking before the vote, Lib Dem leader Michael Dixey said: “To get KCC involved with this would be the kiss of death.
“We should involve them, of course, but it should be run by us – it is our city, not theirs.”
Chestfield councillor Jenny Samper (Con) disagreed, saying the proposal
‘To get KCC involved would be the kiss of death’
belongs with those at County Hall.
“We should refer it on to the county council to see whether they have any new ideas,” she said.
“We can’t turn the clock back and go back to 1900 when there were no cars, but we can, perhaps, be a little more sensible in our use.”
Mr Carmichael likened the proposal to the failed traffic trial in St Dunstan’s, which was led by the city council.
“Congestion is clearly an issue for the city, but roads and public transport are for the county council,” he said.
“I was a supporter of what the council was trying to do with Westgate Towers. But if you want an example of how this council taking the lead on a transport issue can come to grief when the responsibly lies with the other council, then I think you have a very good one.
“There is no realistic opportunity to make a real difference because we do not have the powers.”
Council leader Simon Cook said the authority currently had too few officers to take on the proposal.
“The issue is with officer resource,” he said. “We have the resource to run two working groups at a time, and we currently have two running.
“When a space becomes free, it is entirely possible that it could be put forward then.”
Labour group leader Alan Baldock, who originally put forward the idea, says the decision is a disappointment.
“I believe those that cared about the city saw the working group as a great opportunity to face the demon and work collaboratively towards solutions,” he said.
“They saw it as Canterbury taking the lead in solving its problems, and as such they wanted Canterbury City Council’s commitment and leadership.
“Sadly, following the policy and resources committee, a stark truth about its ruling Conservative administration is out.”
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