Statement from Prime Minister released today
‘I know many people think that cycling and walking schemes simply increase car traffc on other roads. But there is now increasing evidence that they do not. We sometimes think of traffc as like water: if you block a stream in one place, it will fnd the next easiest way. Of course some journeys by car are essential, but traffc is not a force of nature. It is a product of people’s choices. If you make it easier and safer to walk and cycle, more people choose to walk and cycle instead of driving, and the traffc falls overall.’I support councils, of all parties, which are trying to promote cycling and bus use. And if you are going to oppose these schemes, you must tell us what your alternative is, because trying to squeeze more cars and delivery vans on the same roads and hoping for the best is not going to work.And as the benefts of schemes increase over time, what opposition there is falls further. That is why schemes must be in place long enough for their benefts and disbenefts to be properly evidenced.Almost exactly six years ago, in east London, we began the frst of the transformational low-traffc neighbourhood schemes I funded as mayor. There was intense controversy: hundreds of protestors carried a golden coffn to symbolise the “death” we were supposedly causing to the local shops. But the council stuck it out, thank goodness. Now, the local shops and cafes have never been busier, air quality is up, opposition to the LTN has evaporated, and so has some of the traffc.’Why are Chiswick Conservatives so out of touch with their leadership?
Edward Seaton ● 1914d16 Comments ● 1911d