A vocal minority who are in opposition to the scheme have refused
to engage in good faith with extensive consultation efforts, and
certain bad actors are stoking division by spreading misinformation
to frustrate BCC's democratically mandated responsibility to
improve our city's public realm for all.
EBLN represents the bare minimum of changes needed to meet BCC's 2030 carbon neutrality commitment. Any shift from the status quo naturally provokes fear and concern, but such schemes are essential for public health, safety and equity. Please implement the trial without further delay, so that honest misgivings may sooner be allayed by the inevitable improvements EBLN will bring to the area.
Desperate attempts by the failing central government to create
media controversy over motoring issues are not grounded in reality
and have muddied the waters for normal Bristolians who just want to
be able to move about the city safely, affordably and
reliably.
There is sound, peer-reviewed evidence that Low Traffic
Neighbourhood schemes such as EBLN can reduce road traffic injuries
(1), air pollution (2) and street crime (3), without increasing
traffic on the surrounding roads. Nor will emergency services be
adversely affected by the changes (4).
Over time the scheme can be expected to reduce vehicle ownership in
the area (5), thereby helping to get Bristol moving much better
than in its current congested state, via more sustainable means,
and in fact making it easier to drive for those who want or need to
continue using a car.
(1) Laverty, A., Aldred, R. and Goodman, A. (2021). The Impact of
Introducing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods on Road Traffic Injuries.
Findings, January.
(2) Yang, X., McCoy, E., Hough, K. and Nazelle, A. (2022).
Evaluation of low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) impacts on NO2 and
traffic. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment.
113
(3) Goodman, A. and Aldred, R. (2021). The Impact of Introducing a
Low Traffic Neighbourhood on Street Crime, in Waltham Forest,
London. Findings, February.
(4) Goodman, A., Laverty, A., Thomas, Asa and Aldred, R. (2021).
The Impact of 2020 Low Traffic Neighbourhoods on Fire Service
Emergency Response Times, in London, UK. Findings, May.
(5) Goodman, A., Urban, S. and Aldred, R. (2020). The Impact of Low
Traffic Neighbourhoods and Other Active Travel Interventions on
Vehicle Ownership: Findings from the Outer London Mini-Holland
Programme. Findings, December
Started by: Tom Cuthbertson (Safe Streets Now)
This ePetition runs from 23/10/2023 to 31/01/2024.
280 people have signed this ePetition.