Right
now the UK is experiencing a massive increase in traffic. As the
lockdown is eased more and more people are using their cars. The use
of public transport is very much reduced in order to maintain safe
distancing, and those that took to cycling when the roads were free,
and now returning to their motors.
As
one crisis subsides, another one, the air pollution crisis, takes
it’s place.
It’s
a deadly symmetry. This year it is likely that 60,000 might die in
the UK from the coronavirus. A report published last year in the
European
Heart Journal said that air pollution (mainly particulate matter;
PM2.5)
resulted in about 65,000 deaths in the UK. Although air pollution
during the lockdown months of April and May would have been much
reduced, the bounceback effect we are now experiencing will surely
mean that the
number of air pollution deaths will get close to the deaths from the
coronavirus.
On
a pro-rata basis the number of air pollution deaths in Exeter itself
would be just over 100.
We
must do everything in our power to reduce the traffic, which is
currently ruining our city. We must save lives.
On
that basis a group of rebels from Extinction Rebellion wrote an email
to local councillors and officers (and anyone else who would listen)
to implement something called "Traffic Cells" in Exeter.
Traffic Cells are distinct areas of the city where only local traffic
is permitted. Thus reducing traffic so much that cycling and walking
become the main modes of travel.
It’s
a first step towards creating a beautiful city.
Here's
the email...
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In
the midst of the coronavirus crisis, we must not forget there is a
more serious climate and ecological emergency that is now upon us,
and we need to start work on this now.
We
consider that the lockdown has created a golden opportunity to do
something creative and wonderful in our city. We can Build Back
Better. Not only creating car free zones in the city (much like they
were in March and April of this year), but also reducing pollution
and enabling real opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists to have
freedom in large areas of the city.
The
idea we have is “Traffic Cells”.
This
is very much a key part of Birmingham’s Emergency Transport Plan;
(https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/emergencytransportplan),
and we think that Exeter ought to implement them too. Traffic
Cells are areas of the city bounded by distributor roads within which
access is limited only to local residential traffic.
We
are aware that Devon County Council do have a plan to reallocate road
space for active travel
(https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/safe-travel/reallocation-of-roadspace-for-active-travel/)
and they have made an enterprising start in Wonford Road and
Magdalen Road.
But
we consider that the proposals put forward in Exeter need to be more
strategic, relating
to a long term plan for traffic reduction.
We would like to see something more visionary with long term
aspirations for a city that is intending to be zero carbon by 2030.
To
give an example of what we mean, we have looked at one area of the
city which would be ideal as a pilot “traffic cell”; St
Leonards,
as bounded by Topsham Road, Barrack Road, Heavitree Road and Western
Way.
The
St Leonards Traffic Cell is bounded by the green line as indicated in
the following map proposals ...
Proposals
for the St Leonards Traffic Cell in brief:
The
main element of the traffic cell is the road closure (indicated by a
red line on the diagram above), either as a straight road closure
(located to allow a turning circle) or a diagonal closure at
junctions. These road closures are referred to as “permeability
filters” because they allow passage for cyclists and/or buses and
emergency vehicles, but not cars. This would ensure that there would
be no through routes throughout the traffic cell zone; they would all
be converted to local no through roads with low traffic volumes.
The
yellow line shows the route of the E9 strategic cycle route.
The
blue dots would indicate where new signs would be placed as shown
below...
There are three schools within the traffic cell. The section of St Leonards Road in front of St Leonards Primary School could be permanently closed to provide a “school safe zone” for children. Parents would be able to park nearby, but only parents of disabled children could be able to park within the school safe zone. Maynard School could have the pavement widened in front of the school gates as Spicer Road could be converted to one way. And the section of Victoria Park Road in front of Exeter School could also be made into a zone which has reduced parent parking.
The
Magdalen Road neighbourhood shopping street could be converted to one
way thus allowing the pavements to be much widened. (This is not a
new idea – indeed Exeter Friends of the Earth put forward the idea
back in 1994) And this could be made accessible from Western Way via
a one way system incorporating Spicer Road and Denmark Road. The one
way system could be reversed if necessary. This would reduce the
through traffic rat-running along Magdalen Road.
Now
the key thing about these proposals is that they are not
prescriptive. They are preliminary ideas that should be implemented
on a temporary basis as part of a longer term experimental
prototyping method of consultation.
Thus
anything that is implemented is done using temporary barriers (even
straw bales or planters) and
local residents should be given the opportunity to suggest their own
ideas for road closures.
In
terms of implementation, Extinction Rebellion Exeter have skills in
mobilising road closures within short time scales as well as liaising
with local police and communities. We would be willing to conduct
this work for the city on a pro bono basis.
We
hope to hear from you shortly.
Thank
you
Roger
Spurr, Jane Kostelnik, Margaret Turner, Pauline Gibson, Maurice
Spurway.
Members
of Extinction Rebellion Exeter.
Email
copied to:
-
Three City Councillors in Newtown and St Leonards.
-
County Councillor for St Davids and Haven Bank.
-
Devon County Cabinet Member for Highways Management.
-
Thirteen members of Exeter HATOC (Highways and Traffic Orders Committee)
-
Green City Councillor.
-
Council Leaders for Exeter and Devon.
-
Transport Planning Officers.
-
St Leonards Neighbourhood Association
