‘Green man’ must slow down to help elderly cross
‘If streets and parks are well planned, everyone should be able to get around their local area easily’
TRAFFIC lights should be altered so that the “green man” leaves elderly people longer to cross the road, new guidance suggests.
Councils should make such changes to ensure older people, the disabled and parents with prams can get out in their communities, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said.
The draft guidance says councils should also ensure that bins, street furniture, hanging baskets and parked cars do not obstruct those with mobility problems. And it says councils need to do more to ensure footpaths are well maintained, tackling pot-holes and broken paving slabs.
The guideline states: “The environment can make it difficult for some groups to be active. For example, older people and others with limited mobility may find it difficult to cross the road in the time allowed by crossing signals.”
Professor Mark Baker, director of the centre for guidelines at Nice, said: “The guideline outlines ways to overcome barriers to people being more active by making public spaces attractive, easy to get to and safe. It should not matter whether you are on foot, in a wheelchair, have a visual impairment or if you’re a parent pushing a pram.
“If streets, parks and other open spaces are well planned, everyone should be able to get around their local area easily. Safe, accessible streets and well-maintained parks can help people to get active and live longer, healthier lives.”
Research has found that most people over the age of 65 walk far slower than the estimate of 1.2metres per second that forms the basis for crossings.
On average, men over the age of 65 walk at 0.9m/s and women move at 0.8m/s, meaning around 7.5 million elderly people do not have enough time to cross the road safely, University College London research found.
Dr Justin Varney, national lead for physical activity at Public Health England, added: “Physical activity benefits everyone at all stages of life. People living with impairments are less active, and this can be due to the way the built environment, including public spaces and transport systems, is designed.
“Making physical activity accessible to everyone when planning spaces benefits communities in terms of health, environmental sustainability and economic regeneration.”
The updated guideline, which is being put out for consultation, makes a series of other recommendations for councils to help people in their communities be active. It calls for changes to improve cycling infrastructure, and the installation of secure cycle storage facilities in public places and on public transport. And it says efforts should be made to encourage community groups and volunteers to support the maintenance and use of public open spaces, including trails and footpaths.
Andy Jones, a member of the Nice guideline committee, said: “Everyone should be able to have the choice to be active if they want to be. Making sure local streets and green spaces are attractive for everyone, including those with limited mobility, is incredibly important. This guideline provides help on how to make local areas more accessible for all.”