Responding to the Government’s two-year action plan to improve safety for vulnerable road users, published today, Xavier Brice, Chief Executive at Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity said:
“We welcome this wide-ranging and encouraging 50-point action plan that will help to make walking and cycling safer for everyone, and feel safer for everyone.
“Sustrans particularly welcomes the commitment to review the Highway Code in order to better protect and prioritise some of our most vulnerable road users.
“It is disappointing that speed reduction is not addressed more boldly. Our recent review of the National Cycle Network highlights the need to create safer spaces for people to walk and cycle, by reducing speed limits and creating more paths away from cars. Reducing the speed limit to 40mph on minor rural roads and 20mph in built-up areas can play a huge role in making active travel a more welcoming prospect for everyone.
“Overall, the action plan covers a wide range of issues which aim to make a real difference for walking and cycling. This is a big step forward and we look forward to working with the Minister and the Department for Transport, and other organisations, on progressing it.”
Sustrans is part of the walking and cycling alliance, a coalition of the UK’s leading walking and cycling organisations of the Bicycle Association, Cycling UK, the Ramblers, British Cycling, Living Streets and Sustrans.
The alliance is calling for Government to bring about five changes to make our roads safer for pedestrians and people on bikes:
Safety: revise the Highway Code to improve safety for people walking and cycling, particularly at junctions. Speed: reduce default speed limits to 20 mph for most roads in built-up areas and 40 mph for most minor rural roads. Space: adopt and ensure consistent application of existing ‘best-in-class’ infrastructure design standards. Priority: prohibit pavement parking to create safer and more accessible streets. Culture: provide cycle training for all primary and secondary school children, and embed a culture of walking and cycling throughout the school curriculum.For more information, images and interviews please contact:
Anna Galandzij, Senior Press Officer at Sustrans, anna.galandzij@sustrans.org.uk, 07557 915648
Liv Denne, Press and Media Officer at Sustrans, liv.denne@sustrans.org.uk, 07768 035318
from News https://www.sustrans.org.uk/news/dfts-two-year-plan-protect-vulnerable-road-users-sustrans-response
via IFTTT
source https://bondedmulchspecification.tumblr.com/post/180373111184
No comments:
Post a Comment