Group to promote and improve safer streets
Residents urged to join launch
A RALLYING cry has been sounded for residents to help create more cycle and pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods across the city.
Members of the public are invited to join the launch of Pompey Living Streets — a group that will promote and improve safer streets — as a branch of a national movement.
The local group hopes to build on some of the beneficial knock-on effects of lockdown, including reduced traffic and cleaner air.
Nick Sebley, one of the co-founders of Pompey Living Streets, said: ‘We want to change the perception of what residential streets are for.
‘They’re not just places to drive through, but also somewhere our communities can flourish.
‘Streets then become safer for kids to play together in, neighbours can socialise more easily and we build stronger, better connected communities.’
It comes as a bid was made in 2019 to create more play streets in Portsmouth - which are residential roads closed to through traffic for a period of time to allow children to play.
Pompey Living Streets co-founder Laura Mellor, who set up the first play street in Francis Avenue, said: ‘Play streets enable children to play freely outside their own front door, with huge benefits for their physical and mental health.
‘Living Streets can support residents to set up play streets and take action to make our roads safer for pedestrians.
‘We also have an opportunity to create cleaner, greener outdoor spaces in our city where nature can thrive.’
Charlotte Gerada, another of the group’s co-founders, added: ‘Cycling provision in Portsmouth is very patchy and not enough of us feel confident to get on our bikes, despite Portsmouth being so flat and compact.
‘Pompey Living Streets provides a focal point for residents to come together to build a city-wide, residentled movement calling for a network of low-traffic neighbourhoods and joined up and safer cycling routes.’
Portsmouth residents can share their ideas and views on living streets during a Zoom meeting for the group’s launch which is being held this evening between 7pm and 8pm.
For the meeting details contact portsmouthgroup@ livingstreets.org.uk
Alternatively for more information you can search Pompey Living Streets on Facebook.
CITY residents are being urged to sign up for a free online event to learn more about the Covid pandemic from a panel of experts.
As part of the Microsoft Teams session on March 4 hosted by the editor of The News, Mark Waldron, five panellists will respond to queries from the public about coronavirus, from lockdown to vaccinations.
The hour-long session will feature Helen Atkinson, the city’s public health director, Councillor Matthew Winnington, the city council’s health boss, Angela Anderson, clinical director for vaccinations at Solent NHS Trust, GP Dr Abu Mohammed and Superintendent Clare Jenkins from Hampshire Constabulary.
Ms Atkinson said: ‘I’m really hoping interested members of the public will join me and the rest of the panel for our live open forum session where they can ask us questions about coronavirus.
‘It’s a complex, constantly changing situation driven by the science and data, but with people’s lives being the most important focus. Having this sort of session not only enables people to ask questions, but allows us all to have a two-way conversation, which is always beneficial.’
Members of the public will have a chance to register their questions for panellists when signing up to the event online.
Mr Waldron added: ‘This is a unique opportunity to address any questions and concerns people in Portsmouth have about coronavirus.'
The event will take place between 6pm and 7pm on Thursday, March 4.
You can register through Event Brite at tinyurl.com/ yyqpdn9l. Event registration will close at midday on March 4.
This is a unique opportunity to address any questions and concerns
Mark Waldron, editor of The News