Ashamed – Is this what Whitchurch needs?

"20mph where people live" – who would have thought it would be so controversial – certainly not me but apparently it can enrage some beyond what many would deem to be acceptable behaviour.

Last weekend I heard of near violence and verbal abuse against a local family who simply believe a lower speed of 20mph would be beneficial to their well-being. They are as much entitled to their views as are those who oppose reducing speed limits, yet some anti-20mph protestors had gone as far as seeking out the family's home to deliver their vitriol and personal threats.

Ashamed
I was ashamed that this was in a community I hold dear and in high regard; one where support for fellow residents is the usual order of the day and where strangers still greet each other in the street.
Opinions on speed limits are divided, but whatever one's own viewpoint, respect for your neighbours and their rights to hold their own views is of paramount importance in a civilised society, otherwise we descend into anarchy.

Is personal transport so important that a reduction of a few mph justifies such behaviour? Wait until petrol runs out; when congestion leads to total gridlock and when food or emergency services can no longer be delivered – what will the reactions be then?
I like to think we would work together rather than fight each other, but on recent showings I am not hopeful. If a 20mph scheme creates such aggression what will a fuel drought cause?

But it gets worse
Whilst the above incident was appalling, on the very same day it was reported that another family man was physically attacked on the town's zebra crossing in front of his children. A driver had needed to stop to allow them to cross. Unhappy at the delay the driver got out of his car and violently attacked the pedestrian, leaving his face swollen and bruised.

Is this reaction to being held up for a few seconds acceptable in our town? Or anywhere? Is a few seconds of time so important that it warrants physical harm?

No one should be at the end of this treatment.
Today I did not feel happy walking in my town.

Infrastructure – A Reply from Sir George

Following the request to Sir George Young MP to support the amendment to create a Cycling and Walking Strategy within the Government's Infrastructure Bill, which could have an effect on local safe routes around Whitchurch, he replied positively.

See the request here: 
SUPPORT ACTIVE TRAVEL 

His full response is given below.
 __________________________________________

 

Rt Hon Sir George Young Bt CH MP
Church Close Andover Hampshire SP10 IDP 
Tel: 01264 401401 

E-mail: sirgeorge@sirgeorgeyoung.org.uk 
Website: wwwsirgeorgeyoung.org.uk 



28 January 2015

Dear John

Thank you for your email about the Infrastructure Bill 

In terms of a long term vision to increase cycling and walking, and ring-fenced funding, last year the Department for Transport published a draft Cycling Delivery Plan. The Plan sets out how the Government aims to make the UK a cycling nation, and enable walking and cycling to become the natural choices for shorter journeys, or, as part of a longer journey, for all. The draft Delivery Plan included a number of Government commitments and actions over the next 10 years, as well as quantified national ambitions: one to double cycling and one to increase the percentage of primary school children who usually walk to school from 48 per cent to 55 per cent, by 2025. We debated the Plan last year, and I spoke in that debate.

As part of this plan, the Government said it would work with local government and business to see how a minimum funding equivalent of £10 per person can be met each year by 2020–21 – and sooner if possible. The Government also proposed to set up partnerships with local authorities where – in exchange for signing up to a series of actions to deliver ambitious changes in cycling and walking – local authorities would receive access to supportive planning tools and incentives, including priority access to new funding.

Views were sought on the draft plan and I'm glad that Ministers will outline shortly in more detail how they will take forward ideas to encourage more cycling and walking.

As a keen cyclist myself, I was pleased that the Government added an amendment to the Infrastructure Bill on Monday which is designed to create a "cycling and walking investment strategy" with dedicated funding.
This amendment will form part of the Government's ongoing wider action to encourage more walking and cycling. I listened to that debate and the amendment was welcomed by the Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cycling. I will keep a close eye on progress.

Best wishes.

Yours sincerely,

Sir George Young