Experts urge councils to reallocate roads and prevent congestion when restrictions are lifted
Laura LakerTue 28 Apr 2020 11.17 BST
Politicians and experts have called for urgent action to create more space for walking and cycling during lockdown in the UK, and to avoid a “nightmare” rise in traffic as restrictions on movement are lifted.
Many cities around the world are taking action to reallocate road space away from motor vehicles to provide safe routes for sustainable travel.
After the government’s chief medical adviser, Chris Whitty, suggested physical distancing may last for the rest of the year, Manchester announced plans to protect space for those on foot and cycles, but most UK councils have not yet taken any action.
Experts fear a return to heavily congested roads when the lockdown is lifted could be damaging, as it is thought air pollution is likely to exacerbate Covid-19 problems. Furthermore, a rise in extreme speeding during the lockdown, has led experts to suggest motor traffic could prove disproportionately lethal during the pandemic and urge authorities to make changes to city streets.
Ruth Cadbury, a Labour MP and co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group for cycling and walking, said action was needed to avoid a “nightmare” on the roads as restrictions are lifted.
“I think people are going to rush back and to their cars where they would have gone to public transport, understandably fearing infection,” said Cadbury. “It won’t take long before our urban streets in particular, in our towns and city centres are more congested than ever, so we will end up with a nightmare situation.”
The World Health Organization says cycling and walking are among the best ways to practise physical distancing.
Cadbury said local authorities could allocate road space for walking and cycling via temporary or emergency traffic orders, bringing forward existing plans or targeting key commuter routes, including to hospitals. She said guidance from government would help.
Calls for more space for walking and cycling in UK during lockdown | World news | The Guardian
Experts urge councils to reallocate roads and prevent congestion when restrictions are lifted Laura LakerTue 28 Apr 2020 11.17 BST Politicians and experts have called for urgent action to create more space for walking and cycling during lockdown in the UK, and to avoid a “nightmare” rise in traffic as restrictions on movement are lifted…. [Read More]
