For a long time, planners have been building our communities on the
assumption that everyone will drive everywhere. The result?
Everyone now has to drive everywhere, whether they want to or not.
We have no choice.
Cars have spread our towns and cities out until walking and cycling
are no longer practical.
Labyrinths of cul-de-sacs,
each walled of from the next and the community as a whole, force anyone
on foot to take the long way round.
Our local shops have been all
but wiped out by the supermarkets. And now even our high streets are
under threat from huge, soulless out of town shopping centres which are
only accessible by car.
For journeys beyond walking distance there's always
public transport. But public transport needs to be a proper alternative to the
car. It needs to be fast, convenient and pleasant to ride.
An infrequent
bus service forever getting stuck behind cars
will never be anything more than a last resort.
And remember that none of us can drive all the time, whether
because of medical reasons, our cars being at the garage, or alcohol. A more balanced transport plan would
benefit us all.
Clone Towns
We also need to prevent eco-towns becoming clone towns -
high streets should be unique, not filled with the same identical chain
stores as everywhere else. Small businesses should be encouraged.
