Coronavirus - Reshaping Our Towns And Cities For Safer Travel
One challenge facing charities as they plan for the release of lockdown is how people will safely travel to work or to access their services.
The need to maintain social distancing means that the effective capacity of the public transport system will be reduced dramatically - to one tenth of its previous capacity on some parts of the network. The road network does not have sufficient capacity to accommodate all those who might prefer to drive.
On Saturday, 9 May, Transport Minister Grant Shapps announced a £2 billion package to encourage people to consider walking or cycling where possible at a time when we have, a "once in a generation opportunity to deliver a lasting transformative change in how we make short journeys in our towns and cities".
Shapps said lockdown has seen a 70% rise in the number of people on bikes as they take permitted exercise and necessary shopping trips. “So, while it’s still crucial that we stay at home, when the country does get back to work, we need those people to carry on cycling and walking, and to be joined by many more … Otherwise, with public transport capacity severely restricted, more cars could be drawn to the road and our towns and cities could become gridlocked.”
As well as £2 billion for cycling and walking (from a £5 billion funding pot for buses and cycling announced in February this year), the measures announced include:
- a national cycling and walking plan to be published in June
- a new national cycling and walking champion and inspectorate
- updated statutory guidance on traffic management to local authorities
- a £250 million fund to help local authorities take immediate steps to reallocate road space using pop-up cycle lanes, pavement widening and bus and cycle corridors
- legal changes to protect vulnerable road users
- the creation of a long-term cycling programme and budget - like the budget for roads
The new statutory guidance published the same day is notable for its tone and urgency, with the instruction to local authorities that: 'Measures should be taken as swiftly as possible, and in any event within weeks, given the urgent need to change travel habits before the restart takes full effect.' The extent to which this is done remains to be seen, and will depend on factors including the nature and extent of additional support from central government to already hard-pressed local authorities. However, local authorities, supported by environmental and health charities, residents, and local transport campaigners have taken up the challenge - with some changes made less than a week after the announcement.
Our public sector team have considered the guidance in more detail in the article 'The Future of Public Transport - Managing Socially Distanced Streets During Coronavirus'.