27th November 2005

You report that the House of Lords is to encourage highway authorities to consider the effects of street clutter on our countryside (Gazette 26/11/05). This is good news and you will be pleased to hear that much is being done locally to encourage the moves.

A new report, entitled 'Better Streets for Stroud District' that I co-authored, looks at this and wider issues about street clutter including a radical new approach that has been shown to reduce accidents rates, reduce congestion and is good for communities (i). It includes 20 mph speed limits, removing traffic lights, guard rails, signs, humps and road markings.

The approach is based on the view that it is only when the road is made less predictable and less certain that drivers will stop looking at signs and start looking at other people. In other words, instead of relying on the street system for security, drivers are forced to use their reactions. The easy-read report includes photos of Dursley (see photo above of Dursley street clutter), Stroud and examples of schemes. It is free to download at: www.glosgreenparty.org

The status quo serves us badly as car drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. Over the years Britain has reduced the number of vehicle accidents but in the process we have also discouraged cyclists and pedestrians from using our streets and now have the worst record for child safety in Europe.

Many of us hope we we can take these new ideas forward in the District. We welcomed Stroud District Council last month hosting a conference that brought engineers, contractors, police, councillors and community representatives together to look at this approach.

Yours Sincerely,

Philip Booth


Notes to The Editor:

(i) The 'Better Streets' report which has already been widely welcomed by many including the Mayor of London's Road Safety Ambassador, Road Safety groups, and a Professor of Sustainable Transport at Liverpool has just been revised, updated and improved in an easy-read format with examples of schemes from abroad, this country and in Bibury where Gloucestershire is using this approach in one of the first rural schemes in the country. It can be downloaded free from: the Stroud District Council website or www.glosgreenparty.org.uk