Press release: draft Town Access Plan surrenders city to the car, says Winchester Green Party
Winchester Green Party (WGP) warns that the draft Winchester Town Access Plan (WTAP) is not fit for purpose and promises a future for Winchester that is even more car-blighted than today.
The Greens say that, despite the rhetoric about tackling the negative impacts of traffic in Winchester, what the Plan actually proposes in terms of car control is next to nothing.
Alison Craig, Convenor of Winchester Green Party, says:
‘We are staggered that such a lengthy process could promise so much and deliver so little. On traffic control, which our own survey has found to be the number one priority of Winchester residents, the WTAP is simply proposing:
- Stopping cars parking on the pavement
- Reviewing residents’ parking
- Undertaking a Road Network and Traffic Management Stage 2 study [which they don’t explain]
- ‘Promoting shared space where this is appropriate’ – The Square and Great Minster Street are mentioned.
Alison continued: ‘These measures would not even meet statutory obligations the City faces on air quality or climate change emission reductions. Winchester has one of the worst greenhouse gas emission levels in the country at 8.4 tonnes of CO2 per person per year, which is the highest in Hampshire, and the sixth highest in the South East of England. A 2007 survey (WWF) ranked Winchester at the bottom of the UK league for its carbon footprint.
‘Although we welcome the tentative proposal for 20mph speed limits in Winchester, in general the draft Plan fails to tackle these challenges. The Green Party is advocating progressive new steps for Winchester: an integrated transport system, efficient public transport which everybody would use, and a walk-able, pedestrianised city centre.’
