Bold experiment is worth applauding
On behalf of Leicester Cycling Campaign Group (LCCG), I would like to congratulate Sir Peter Soulsby and the city council for closing one lane in Newarke Street to motorised traffic.
Even as an experiment, this is a bold move.
It is heartening to see the mayor is prepared to take on the motoring lobby and to make decisions which have the potential to create a city for people, rather than for cars.
The "carmageddon" that some pundits predicted would be caused by the closure seems not to have materialised, prompting expectations that the closure will become permanent.
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If so, Newarke Street could become a safer and more pleasant environment for cyclists and pedestrians alike.
LCCG wants to make cycling normal by creating the infrastructure and culture that will support a shift from cars to bikes.
We look forward to having discussions, disagreements and disputes with those decision-makers who can make this happen.
But we are also willing to give credit where it is due. Nice one, Sir Peter.
Eric Ludlow, LCCG press officer.
Here's a question / puzzle for your readers.
What do the following have in common – the mayor's office, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, The Highways Department and the chief constable's office?
Well, they all appear to employ staff with no brains or logic.
I will not say who, but some idiot as decided to close a lane on the inner city link road, the left hand lane on Newarke Street between the magazine, Pocklington Walk, Welford Place/Welford Road.
Now, let's see what problems this will cause.
Two lanes from Oxford Street turning right into Newarke Street and two lanes from the underpass into Newarke Street.
Four lanes of traffic merging into three, could cause a slight congestion. The left inside lane now carrying traffic towards Welford Place and Pocklington Walk.
The traffic lights showing red, all traffic at a standstill, traffic backing up in Oxford Road down to the Royal Hospital, back to the underpass and round to High Street, the other way.
So not really any problems, just one big traffic jam in the city.
Attention all motorists! Do not listen to the local radio traffic reports, because all they will say is the traffic in Newarke Street and surrounding roads is at a standstill, please avoid the area.
Logic surely tells you to close one of the lanes going right into Welford Place?
Ian G Lambert, Anstey Heights.
Comments
by wayne65
Monday, January 21 2013, 2:27PM
“Stoned, I'm confused as to how your "weekly shop" contributes to this story. As I'm aware most supermarkets ie the larger stores are not in town, small "express" versions maybe, but surely you don't do your "weekly shop" from Tesco Express? The money you would save from going to one of the larger stores would pay for your taxi!!!”
by Stoned
Thursday, January 17 2013, 10:07AM
“I'd like to mention something that may have been overlooked regarding travelling to town on the bus, something which I do more of now that I have my bus pass. Unfortunately I can only use the bus if I intend purchasing relatively small and light items, not a week's shopping. Yes I could take a taxi home but then the expense is greater than taking my car so I prefer to shop out of town and use my bus pass for 'browsing' the city centre stores.”
by wayne65
Thursday, January 17 2013, 9:16AM
“So do buses @spalding1944, and I believe at present there are 3 "park & ride" services being under used!!!
More of these closures are required. I live 2-3 miles from where I work in the city, it takes me 15-20minutes to cycle commute to my place of work (without jumping red lights or riding on pavements!), it takes me 20-30minutes if I use my car (yes I pay "road tax" too!).
Incidentally, I live on the route the 103 & 203 park and ride buses take, they seem to make it into town quicker than motorist too!!!”
by spalding1944
Thursday, January 17 2013, 8:57AM
“Eric- Its all part of Pete's plan to stop cars coming into the city. Cars bring people to the city and if you make it difficult to do that they will go elsewhere and the city will die a slow death,if it not started already.”