Local MP Luke Hall has asked the Government to include Thornbury, and other Pedestrianised High Street Schemes in the Prime Minister’s review of low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs).
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister announced that the Government will be conducting a review of Low-Traffic Neighbourhoods across England to ensure motorists can use their cars to do the things that matter most to them.
Such schemes were originally designed to reduce traffic flow through cities and encourage the use of public transport and active travel. LTNs have been set up in recent years in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Bournemouth and more cities across the country. Their aim is to encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transport by reducing access for cars through the use of barriers such as bollards and planters, as well as road signs and CCTV cameras.
But critics argue that they unfairly penalise motorists who want access their local community but rely on private vehicles, that they push traffic onto the surrounding roads causing congestion, and in many cases reduce access to community areas and can have a dramatic impact on footfall for local businesses and charities.
Luke Hall has now written to Mark Harper, the Secretary of State for Transport, to ask that the review includes Thornbury and other Pedestrianised High Street Schemes to ensure these schemes have the support of local communities.
Thornbury residents expressed overwhelmingly that they did not want High Street Pedestrianisation, through the South Gloucestershire Council consultation and through a ballot of local residents, including making arguments about accessibility and the impact on High Street businesses.
Luke has asked to meet the Secretary of State so he can explain personally the impact that the changes to Thornbury High Street have had on the town.
Commenting on the current situation, Luke said: “Pedestrianised High Street Schemes which proceed without community support are hugely damaging communities like Thornbury. There must be public support for a scheme like this to be imposed, and people in Thornbury simply didn’t agree to it.
Without vehicle access, many elderly people and people with disabilities, alongside families with young children, cannot reach their local high street. We need to take this opportunity to consider whether there is a route back towards allowing vehicles on the High Street in Thornbury.”
