BackCommunities at breaking point: Britain's streets revealed as no-go areas
New research shows our streets are in danger of losing the social function they have had in the past, as they are shifted from social hubs for the community, into spaces considered no go areas for children.
A new report, released today to mark the 80th anniversary of the formation of Living Streets (formerly the Pedestrians Association), has highlighted in stark detail how our streets have changed over the past eight decades – with over a quarter of people knowing fewer than two of their neighbours and a huge reduction in the number of children playing out on the streets.
Our survey showed that:
- Almost half (49%) of children aged 5-10 never play out on their streets, a massive change from the freedom people now over 65 enjoyed when they were the same age. Nearly half (47%) of those asked played out every day of the week, and even their children – now adults – were only just behind them.
- 67% of today’s parents who have young families opt to jump in the car or use public transport to go to supermarkets or general stores out of walking distance, a drastic change from the previous generation when 68% of people shopped at stores within walking distance, with one in five choosing to do their shopping in more specialist stores such as butchers and hardware stores.
- A number of negative changes were noted on our streets themselves, with 93% of pensioners noticing an increase in the volume of traffic and 78% noticing an increase in anti social behaviour. A shocking 12% of pensioners and 11% of parents of young children described their streets as “dangerous”
Living Streets was formed as the Pedestrians Association on August 13, 1929, to combat the growing dominance of the motor car on our streets – today’s findings show just how far we still have to go. Today the organisation continues to campaign for improvements and provides specialist help to Local Councils to help them create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets across the UK.
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets said:
“Overall the research published today paints a bleak picture of how our streets have changed over the past 80 years. More than a quarter of people today know less than two of their neighbours, where as the majority of older respondents remember knowing at least 5 of their neighbours well when they had a young family. In addition to this, it is becoming increasingly rare to see children playing out on the streets. We have effectively designed ourselves out of our own communities through urban planning that has failed to prioritise people.
But despite this, there is hope. Nearly three quarters of today’s parents believe that the street they are bringing their children up on is welcoming, safe and enjoyable; and over half of all respondents state that they feel part of a community on the street they live on.
“People still clearly feel affection for their streets and by acting now we can make changes to ensure that feeling isn’t lost. Living Streets has launched a new campaign to see 20mph as the standard speed limit where we live, work and play, and we continue to campaign for our streets to be designed for people, not just for motor traffic. We believe we can make our streets safe places for children to play, safe and attractive places to walk and enjoy leisure time. Most importantly to bring back that sense of community to our streets.”
For more information contact Lucy Abell, Communications Manager on 020 7377 4913 or email lucy.abell@livingstreets.org.uk. For any out of hours press enquiries, please call 07545 209865
Published on: 13/08/2009
