Thread by @BetterSt4Enf

Some thoughts on campaigning for low traffic neighbourhoods particularly around the Bowes area. It might appear that we are two groups that are suspicious of each other but perhaps it is for all the wrong reasons. 1/6

Some think that people are only opposing LTNs because they don't want to change their own behaviour and they represent the 'status quo'. This might be true of some of course but can't be true of everyone. 2/6

On the other side people think the campaigners are a bunch of car hating zealots which is obviously not true either. The mistake is not only thinking that we are in silos but more importantly where we are on our 'route to change'. 3/6

Many residents would be happy and want change but this is all new. They are at a different stage of their 'route' compared to campaigners. So we need to talk to each other in a different way with both sides being more understanding of the other and not instantly block. 4/6

Perhaps on our side we need to understand how to talk to people who are not at the same stage or with the same level of understanding or indeed a different kind of understanding. Perhaps people could be more open minded about change? Whatever we are doing isn't working well. 5/6

Finally. We believe that this is the best chance of change and believe the council will listen to residents as they did with other schemes. The result will be a scheme that will work for the majority. Perhaps we should be like one group. How should we all move forward? 6/6