Author name: Steven Edwards

Damian Carrington Tue 18 May 2021

A “huge” increase in the number of visits to doctors by children with asthma problems occurs after a week of raised air pollution, according to a study. The number of inhaler prescriptions also increases significantly.
Dirty air is already known to increase hospital treatment for severe asthma attacks and other respiratory problems. But the new research is the first using clinical data to show increased illness among the much bigger number of people who seek treatment from their GP.
The researchers said children were the most severely affected by the raised air pollution, but there were increases in GP consultations and inhaler prescriptions for people of all ages. Overall, they said, the study demonstrates that air pollution, particularly from diesel vehicles, affects whole communities.

A tweet from Mercedes-Benz USA advertising the in-car technology in its S-Class range has caused uproar on the social media platform, with numerous people suggesting that the potential for distraction could put cyclists and pedestrians in danger. 
The tweet, that has now been deleted by the Mercedes-Benz USA account, said: “With up to five screens, OLED displays, and 3D displays with real-time eye tracking, the new S-Class has no shortage of bright ideas”; however thousands of people were quick to point out the potential issues, with Pompey Cyclist saying: I look forward to being murdered with one of these in the near future.” 

An Australian study has concluded that passing distance laws could be having an ‘unintended side effect’ of increased aggression from drivers towards cyclists, as the country’s car-centric society means many motorists believe that ‘cyclists do not belong on the roads.’

A consultation was launched this week on the initiative, outlined in an interview with Le Parisien by deputy mayor David Belliard, which will cover the entirety of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th arrondissements and, across the Seine on the Rive Gauche, parts of the 5th, 6th and 7th arrondisements, as shown in this graphic.
To draw an analogy from the UK capital, the zone is similar in size to one running from Oxford Circus to St Paul’s Cathedral and from the British Museum to the Houses of Parliament.
Not all motor traffic will be banned from the centre of Paris – local residents will have access, as will buses, taxis, tradesmen, professionals and delivery vehicles needing access to the city centre, although no decision has yet been made on whether tourist coaches will be exempt.

The simple idea of ‘putting stuff closer together so it’s easier to get to the stuff’ is driving the popularity of 15 – 20 minute centres. But as the new Planning Bill is introduced, should we know more about the implications of narrowing travel patterns, the potential for inequality, impacts on travel demand and the big picture for infrastructure investment?

12/5/21 Dan Saunders

Transport accessibility is imperative for sustainable urban growth. As the Government reveals its new Planning Bill this week, with a focus on house-building, the transport accessibility of new developments is increasingly under the spotlight…

Sustainability is all about making decisions that do not have negative consequences for either current or future generations.  With the government planning on building hundreds of thousands of new homes a year, they need to be built sustainably. The ethos of a 20-minute city encompasses this.

travel options for everyone.