100 signatures reached
To: Paul Martin, Chief Executive, Wandsworth Borough Council
Wandsworth Council - make pedestrians and cyclists a priority on residential streets
Make residential roads, all those with an existing 20mph speed limit, in the borough pedestrian priority - so we can safely walk, run or cycle AND maintain social distancing at the same time.
Why is this important?
The Coronavirus lockdown has seen a dramatic decline in cars using our roads, but they still get priority.
With many of us across Tooting, Putney, Battersea, Clapham and Balham wanting to get out once a day to walk, run or cycle - as permitted by the government, our parks and commons are becoming crowded, and many residents don't have gardens or access to other private outdoor spaces.
Paul Martin, the Chief Executive of Wandsworth Council could help to create more space for us to by making residential roads, all those with an existing 20mph limit, in the borough pedestrian priority - so we can walk, run or cycle AND maintain social distancing at the same time.
This could be done by following steps that other cities have taken, for example installing temporary planters or barriers in the middle of the streets, temporary cycle lanes to be installed on busier roads with cones to help where pavements are narrow, or putting up signs to inform drivers that pedestrians and cyclists have priority.
Other cities from New York, Chicago, and Berlin have already done this, and it would mean that the few cars still using the road would have to slow down for pedestrians in them, not the other way around.
