Park where you like? No Minister !

Pavements are for People - DfT leaflet 

In July 2013, the BBC reported that sources close to the communities secretary Eric Pickles told the Daily Telegraph that "over-aggressive" parking enforcement was one of the reasons why many High Streets were struggling.  His proposed solution - let drivers park for up to 15 minutes on areas with yellow lines.  Although a year later, it was reported that the idea had been quietly dropped.  This followed the publication of a Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) report that found that it could also "encourage more anti-social and potentially dangerous parking and also lead to sequential parking in some popular areas where kerb space might be continually occupied despite there being a restriction in place". (My emphasis)

This appears to be an all-too typical approach from the Communities Secretary, make a lot of noise on a supposedly populist policy announcement - only to quietly drop it when people realise the negative impacts.

More seriously, than the public dog-whistle posturing of individual politicians - is the central direction of transport policy that this example highlights.  

Need to increase "growth" ? Rush through plans to build more roads. Let's just ignore decades of evidence that building more roads does not reduce congestion. In fact, they increase traffic levels.

"An average road improvement, for which traffic growth due to all other factors is forecast correctly, will see an additional [i.e. induced] 10% of base traffic in the short term and 20% in the long term." (1994 SACTRA report 'Trunk Roads and the Generation of Traffic')

Worried about the impact of increased CO2 emissions from more traffic?  (on your newly built roads) - remove CO2 emissions from the grounds that local people can object to a road building proposal.

Pretending you are worried about the demise of the High Street as people shop at out-of-town retail parks due to the high cost of parking charges?  Suggest that vehicles can park anywhere on yellow lines - despite evidence from your own department that this would increase danger to pedestrians and people cycling.

How about changing the regulations that mean that large out-of-town retail centres do not pay business rates on the massive amounts of land taken up with "free" car parking places - whilst small High Street businesses have to pay business rates on the small number of car parking spaces that they provide. Level playing field anyone?  (But this is a subject for a future blog post).

But back to the subject of vehicles being able to park anywhere....

In the 1980s the Department for Transport (DfT) and Central Office of Information (COI) produced the leaflet (see above) which was sent out with driving licences and politely reminded drivers not to park on the pavement.  Unfortunately, the DfT and DVLA no longer seem to view this as a priority - although some Councils do.   

The government encourages local councils to apply to take over parking responsibilities from the police. This is called decriminalisation, because parking offences become civil matters, rather than criminal. In other areas where the local council has not applied to take charge, the police will still be responsible for enforcement.

The government encourages local councils to apply to take over parking responsibilities from the police. This is called decriminalisation, because parking offences become civil matters, rather than criminal. In other areas where the local council has not applied to take charge, the police will still be responsible for enforcement. - See more at: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/make-a-change/urgent-actions/pavement-parking#sthash.HxK2Reru.dpuf

The government encourages local councils to apply to take over parking responsibilities from the police. This is called decriminalisation, because parking offences become civil matters, rather than criminal. In other areas where the local council has not applied to take charge, the police will still be responsible for enforcement. - See more at: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/make-a-change/urgent-actions/pavement-parking#sthash.HxK2Reru.dpuf

The government encourages local councils to apply to take over parking responsibilities from the police. This is called decriminalisation, because parking offences become civil matters, rather than criminal. In other areas where the local council has not applied to take charge, the police will still be responsible for enforcement. - See more at: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/make-a-change/urgent-actions/pavement-parking#sthash.HxK2Reru.dpuf

The Manchester City Council website states:

"Where there are parking restrictions in place, such as double yellow lines or where the kerbs are lower to enable pedestrians to cross, we can take action. However, the majority of instances happen where there are no parking restrictions in place.  If it presents an actual obstruction and pedestrians, wheelchair users or pushchairs can't pass safety or a car is parked across your driveway then contact the Police on 101 who can take action."

The government encourages local councils to apply to take over parking responsibilities from the police. This is called decriminalisation, because parking offences become civil matters, rather than criminal. In other areas where the local council has not applied to take charge, the police will still be responsible for enforcement. - See more at: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/make-a-change/urgent-actions/pavement-parking#sthash.HxK2Reru.dpuf

In a 2006 report, Manchester City Council stated that they did "not currently have the powers to introduce a city-wide ban on pavement parking due to no current legislation for enforcement outside London. The only way a total ban could be achieved would be to implement individual TRO’s and erect associated signage on every street within the city."

The report went on to explain how to do this on a road-by-road basis would be very expensive.

However, in London, pavement parking is banned throughout the 32 London boroughs, and the City of London under the Greater London (General Purposes) Act 1974. The Highway Code states; "You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London". All councils in London can and should enforce this law by issuing parking tickets to any vehicles parked on pavements, unless there is a sign there that specifically permits it. (Para 244)

Pavement parking is banned throughout the 32 London boroughs, and the City of London under the Greater London (General Purposes) Act 1974. The Highway Code states; 'You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London'. All councils in London can and should enforce this law by issuing parking tickets to any vehicles parked on pavements, unless there is a sign there that specifically permits it. - See more at: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/make-a-change/urgent-actions/pavement-parking#sthash.HxK2Reru.dpuf

Manchester recently announced that one-third of all the streets (where people live) would have a 20mph speed limit. Reducing traffic speed and noise will help play a part in making our streets safer and nicer places to live, meet, play and cycle.

Reclaiming pavements for people (young and old) to walk and play on would be another great step.  

Following a presentation at the Manchester Cycle Forum (March 2014) about enforcement by Manchester Community Enforcement officers of parking in cycle lanes and shared pavements - the MCC officers were asked whether it would be possible (legally, not necessarily politically) for Manchester to implement a similar regulation to the London Scheme.  Eg all pavement parking is banned - apart from where it is allowed.

A response was promised for the next Cycle Forum (June) but unfortunately was not forthcoming.  Let's hope that an answer can be provided to the September Cycle Forum.

Meanwhile, you can support the Living Streets campaign on inconsiderate pavement parking. Living Streets calls for: 

• UK Government to make pavement parking illegal throughout the UK  
• UK Government to lead a wider national “pavement education” campaign on all aspects of using our pavements – including anti-social parking and cycling 
• All local authorities to decriminalise and take on the civil enforcement of parking offences 
• Where police are responsible for enforcement, to take the issue more seriously and enforce all instances of pavement parking.

Living Streets calls for:

• UK Government to make pavement parking illegal throughout the UK
• Scottish Government to expand dropped kerb regulations into Scotland
• UK Government to lead a wider national “pavement education” campaign on all aspects of using our pavements – including anti-social parking and cycling
• All local authorities to decriminalise and take on the civil enforcement of parking offences
• Where police are responsible for enforcement, to take the issue more seriously and enforce all instances of pavement parking.

- See more at: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/make-a-change/urgent-actions/pavement-parking#sthash.HxK2Reru.dpuf

Bury Council policy:  Safer parking

We have a responsibility to keep the roads and footpaths safe to use.
Illegally parked vehicles cost us thousands of pounds a year due to damaged paving, damaged grass verges. They also cause serious problems for blind, disabled and older people.

What action do we take against pavement parking?If there are waiting restrictions (yellow lines) on the highway adjacent to the pavement then a Penalty Charge Notice would be issued, as a vehicle parked in this manner is in contravention of the Traffic Order. Waiting restrictions cover the highway from the centre of the highway to back of the footpath.
If there are no waiting restrictions on the highway adjacent to the pavement, then we have no powers to take action and this should be taken up with the Police as it constitutes obstruction.


Trafford Council. What action do we take against pavement parking?

If there are waiting restrictions (yellow lines) on the highway adjacent to the pavement then a Parking Fine would be issued since a vehicle parked in this manner is in contravention of the traffic order.
Waiting restrictions cover the highway from centre of highway to back of footpath.
If there are no waiting restrictions on the highway adjacent to the pavement, then we have no powers to take action and this should be taken up with the Police since it constitutes an obstruction.

How fast can your granny run?

In April, the BBC reported that Manchester had become the UK's first city to be recognised as age-friendly by the World Health Organisation. More accurately, Manchester has become the first UK city to become a member of the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC).

As a network member, Manchester has committed to “undertake a process of continually assessing and improving their age-friendliness” and will ensure that “older residents are involved in a meaningful way throughout the process.”

If Manchester is serious about becoming age-friendly as well as improving the walkability of the City then one practical measure that the Council, and the other GM local authorities, could implement is to change the crossing times at pedestrian crossings.

How fast can YOUR granny run?

Research for Living Streets found that most people over the age of 65 walk much slower than the current assumed walking speed of 1.2 metres per second, on which the “green man” time allowed to cross is based, meaning they have insufficient time to safely reach the opposite kerb.

Or, put another way, the “green man” crossing time is not enough for 85% of women and 76% of men aged 65 and over.

The current crossing time guidance dates from the 1950s when levels of car ownership and traffic were much less than today. Living Streets is calling for the assumed walking speed to be changed to 0.8m/s which would add just 3 more seconds onto the green man crossing time on an average width road.

• 3 seconds might not sound like much, but for older people, people with mobility issues and parents with children it can really have a big impact.

• 3 more seconds could help make Manchester a better place to walk. Increasing the number of people walking might encourage more people to leave the car at home for shorter trips to their local shops and neighbourhoods. Making Manchester a nicer place to walk would also be fairer to the 45% of Manchester households who do not own (or have access to) a car. (Census 2011)

Increasing walking levels and reducing car traffic volumes (and speeds) could also encourage more people to cycle – you never know we might catch up with the Dutch where people over 65 make 24% of all their trips by bicycle.(Page 504)

You can find out more information and support the Living Streets “Give me time to cross” campaign on the website.


PS Shortly after this blog article was first drafted, the Manchester Evening News reported that the Government was reviewing road-crossing times. The article quoted Transport for Greater Manchester as saying: 

“At signalised junctions with pedestrian facilities, Greater Manchester follows the standard Department for Transport guidance of 1.2 metres per second walking speed.
“If a longer crossing time is required we do review this on an individual basis along with local authority engineers.

“We’re aware of this ministerial proposal and will follow developments with interest. If the guidance from the Department for Transport changed to assume a lower speed then we would change all our crossing speeds accordingly.”

Stay tuned to see what comes of this review.

No, protected cycling infrastructure is probably not too expensive for your city to build....

Here in Greater Manchester, the successful "Vélocity 2025 : A cycling plan for 2025 and beyond" bid for Cycling City Ambition Grant (CCAG) funding committed the conurbation to providing total funding over a 12 year period that would see "between £150 and £200 million invested on a range of cycling infrastructure, interventions and culture shift of which £20 million will be from the Cycle City Ambition Grant, £20 million from the LSTF and the remainder from a range of local and national, public and private sources through to 2025."


The current CCAG funding runs until March 2015 and as yet, neither the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) or Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have publicly identified where the next 10 years of funding will come from, or how much funding will be provided.  

The current CCAG funding level is £10 per person but only covers 1 million people - so on a GM wide basis this translates as £3.70 per person.  The All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group report "Get Britain Cycling" recommended that national / local government should support cycling with funding levels of £10 per person - across the whole of Greater Manchester this would work out at £27 million per year.  


One of the many argument(s) that will no doubt be made against providing funding for cycle infrastructure will be "but it will cost too much".  To put these arguments into context it is worth taking a look at a recent report by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition which is a "brief exploration" of what they called the "myth" that "there's no way we can keep spending so much on bike lanes with so many other pressing needs in San Francisco."

To make their point that dramatically improving biking and walking in a city costs almost nothing compared to many other transportation projects — in San Francisco, one of the bike-friendliest cities in the country, bike projects take up less than 1 percent of the municipal transportation budget — they listed some typical cost figures.  The lovely people at the Green Lane Project  created the chart below from those figures.

Future blog posts will return to this theme and explore the arguments and evidence of the economic benefits of increasing cycling levels - as well as the lobbying arguments that will be needed throughout the coming year(s) to secure the funding needed to build a safe, convenient and coherent cycle network across Greater Manchester. (Note: the budget discussions for 2015-16 will start in October this year)

Meanwhile, enjoy the graphic. Click here for the original graphic.

 

Somebody please tell the University to "Wake up and smell the coffee!"

Oh dear.. what is it with Manchester and cycling?  Last December we had Manchester City Council's website listing "cycling safety" information under the heading Crime, Anti-social behaviour and nuisance (thankfully now amended!).

Now we have the mighty University of Manchester and "Corridor Manchester" objecting to an application from the Coffee Cranks Cooperative for a Street Trading licence to sell coffee from their beautifully adapted cargo bike outside the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative shop opposite Withworth Park and on Dover Street (off Oxford Road).


The miserable objection letters from the University of Manchester and Corridor Manchester are available online if you would like read them yourself. They are almost identical and contain such gems as the "presence of a street trader, the congestion it would bring, the visual appearance of the vehicle, and the likelihood of increased litter conflicts with the University’s vision for the area." 

and claims that the University "believes that granting the licence would create real safety concerns, be detrimental to its ambitions and, as the contribution to the City’s economy and vibrancy though the success of the University cannot be overstated, we hope that the City Council would reject the application." (Ed - wonder if these "safety concerns" are the same as led Manchester City Council to file "cycling" under crime, antisocial behaviour and nuisance" !)


Coffee Cranks Coop is a workers' coop selling ethically  sourced coffee, tea and snacks from a cargo bike designed and constructed by members of the initiative in the summer of 2013. Their objectives are to " bring positive change to our communities while selling delicious and ethically sourced coffee, tea and snacks from our purpose built cargo bike."   The core ethos of the coop is based upon a grand vision of helping transform Manchester into a cycling city of the future. This extends beyond cycling; we seek to support other social projects focused on transport, the environment and sustainability.


Sterile laboratories not sterile streets.
The Corridor Manchester Strategic Vision to 2020 document proudly claims that "Corridor Manchester's long-term vision is that, globally and locally, people will recognise the Corridor as a place that is original, creative and smart, where knowledge is put to work." (Page 4, Executive Summary)

Other smart cities have recognised that people like to live in places that have developed good cycling infrastructure as well as "original, creative and smart" social and street culture that is different to the bland "same as everywhere else" multinational chains.

Time to 'wake up and smell the coffee'
Developing a vibrant cycling culture (and street culture) is about much more than just counting the number of people cycling.*    Manchester City Council has recognised the need "undertake major public realm and junction improvements to support street life and commercial activity" in other areas of the City such as the Great Ancoats Street Corridor.


It is time for the University of Manchester and Corridor Manchester to 'wake up and smell the coffee'.

Please sign the Coffee Cranks petition calling on the University of Manchester and Corridor Manchester to withdraw their objections.

And if you would like to - please tweet the following message (or your own variant): University of Manchester (@SocialResponUoM) and Corridor Manchester (@corridormcr): withdraw objections to Coffee Cranks Coop's trading licence application.
 


(*) "The number of cycle trips has more than doubled – continued evidence of a growing cycling culture."

Greater Peak District Cycle Strategy

The Peak District National Park Authority are currently developing a cycle strategy for the Greater Peak District*.  

The consultation will start on the 17th February and last for 5 weeks.  If you would to comment on the cycle strategy please contact Emily Fox, Transport Policy Manager, Peak District National Park Authority.   Emily.Fox@peakdistrict.gov.uk
Peak District National Park Authority, Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell, DE45 1AE 
Tel: 01629 816200

*For clarification, the Greater Peak District is the National Park and surrounding urban areas, for example, Sheffield, Nottingham, Manchester and Derby.