❗️@NorfolkCC & @NorwichCC are consulting on proposed changes to #Norwich streets. We urge all our supporters to respond - the deadline's tomorrow! Here's most of our response - feel free to steal any of our points (long thread!) norfolk.citizenspace.com/consultation/h… 1/n
"🖊 We strongly support the proposed changes to St Benedict’s Street, Exchange Street, and to the timings of various crossing points. 2/n
However - although we are aware that more changes are still to be announced - we are V. disappointed by the lack of ambition compared to what other UK Transport Authorities are doing & compared to what Transport Sec @grantshapps & @transportgovuk have called for. 3/n
Specific issues that we have with these plans, and with your wider response to this challenge: 4/n
🚧St Benedicts Street should be pedestrianised for a trial period of 3 months. There is huge public support for such a change, with a petition receiving almost 3.5k signatures (& counting).
change.org/p/norwich-coun…
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change.org/p/norwich-coun…
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🏡Your plans are too focussed on Norwich city centre. Rampant #pavementparking means many residential streets are also not apt for #socialdistancing. 6/n
Modal filtering should be employed to create #lowtrafficneighbourhoods so people can more safely use their streets for active travel and community activities. 7/n
🚲 AFAIK you have not implemented a single #popupcyclelane, nor announced any intention to do so. Such measures are vital, and should be focussed to create safe, uninterrupted & intuitive routes (take a leaf out of @suffolkcc's book! edp24.co.uk/motoring/suffo…) 8/n
🏫 You have yet to announce a single #SchoolStreet - these are needed wherever feasible and should be a permanent feature to help increase #activetravel and to reduce #airpollution exposure (@hackneycouncil has LOADS! hackneycitizen.co.uk/2020/06/16/tra…) 9/n
🚦Alteration of crossing times is welcome, but you have missed several important crossings (and, again, this change should not be limited to Norwich city centre) for instance St Crispin’s (between St George’s Street and Botolph Street) and the crossing by the Clare School. 10/n
In addition, not only should pedestrians be given more time to cross, they should also have a shorter wait after pressing the button (= fewer people waiting together, thus lower infection risk). 11/n
🅿️An increase in cycling will require an increase in cycling storage - especially dry and secure storage. What plans have you implemented for this? An area on the ground floor of each multi-storey car park should be converted permanently to this usage. 12/n
😷Norwich's no-idling zone should be expanded and properly enforced. In particular Magdalen Street & Tombland have high levels of #AirPollution. 13/n
Tackling air pollution is extremely important in the face of the increasing body of evidence which shows that poor #AirQuality increases the chance of being severely affected by #COVID19. theguardian.com/world/2020/may… 14/n
⌚️Time restrictions for loading should apply to the whole city centre, and this should be a permanent change. ///
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These demands may seem too ambitious, but most were explicitly mentioned in the statutory guidance released on 23 May. gov.uk/government/pub…
Also, the time you have taken to come up with these relatively minor plans is embarrassing. 16/n
Also, the time you have taken to come up with these relatively minor plans is embarrassing. 16/n
You have added further delay by deciding to publicly consult. You should be using experimental traffic orders: installing brave, innovative schemes, then carrying out ongoing consultation & adaptation as needed. 17/n
Traffic is already returning, meaning the public often have to choose between the risk of infection and the risk of stepping out into the road. 18/n
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated, as @Chris_Boardman - among others - has pointed out: decisions made in the next few weeks will set the transport agenda for the next 2 decades. 19/n
The window of opportunity is rapidly closing: bold actions now could set us on course for dramatically lower levels of CO2, air pollution, & congestion, while greatly benefiting our #economicrecovery and #PublicHealth. 20/n
Your proposals - given that they are essentially (temporary) minor tweaks - are not exactly fitting @grantshapps call for “a lasting transformative change in how we make short journeys in our towns and cities” nor will they provide a “legacy of greener, safer transport”. 21/n
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create the safe, healthy, low-carbon streets that we desperately need. We implore you to not squander this chance." 🛴🚴🏾♂️🚶🏾♀️ 22/n
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