Putting non-car users at the forefront

I think the perception that Roger Chapman has that I have no compassion for people with physical frailties is unfair. I was instrumental, with the help of Bryn Jones (Transition Larkhall) in having the Cycle Forum replaced with the Active Travel and Accessibility Forum (ATAF) recognising the need for an inclusive approach to our roads and spaces.

Many people are aware of my opinion that pedestrianisation is toxic. In fact Cllr Shelford, talking at the recent transport conference put on by Wera Hobhouse MP, specifically mentioned my dislike for the concept. Pedestrianisation is anti-disabled, antiresident, and anti-business.

I prefer Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. An example of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods can be seen at Lower Borough Walls and Stall Street where necessary access is maintained using a rising bollard while preserving a low traffic environment during the main shopping times.

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods can be used to transform whole residential areas of the city. As an example, a set of bollards blocking access from Laura Place Fountain to Great Pulteney Street would transform the area around Henrietta Park from a rat run into a quiet residential area while maintaining full access to all homes and businesses.

Recently the council funded a trip by the ATAF to Oxford to study and discuss the work Oxfordshire council is doing, particularly focusing on continuous footways across junctions, removal of through traffic from the city centre and, most importantly, the set of exceptional walking and cycling standards the council have introduced with a view to BANES adopting them. The focus very much on accessibility