BackWalking journeys crucial for winter resilience
As a government report sets out the benefits of additional investment in transport infrastructure to keep the country moving this winter, Living Streets' campaign for ice-free pavements has emphasised the importance of making sure pedestrians are safe - and put forward some low cost ideas that councils could take forward.
The Department for Transport, together with the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, estimated the costs of transport disruption caused by severe snow and ice at £280m per day, including both costs to individuals and costs to the economy as a whole. Nearly a quarter of this (£67m) was attributed to pedestrian incidents and delays - not including the contribution of pedestrian incidents and delays to the £108m cost of disruption to commuting.
Living Streets' Chief Executive, Tony Armstrong, said 'These estimates show how crucial it is to keep walking routes clear in winter - and in contrast to many of the larger scale schemes being talked about, it's something that the community can help with as well. The actions that Living Streets is suggesting to councils in our Winter Contract - clearing the busiest pavements, redeploying contractors unable to do their main jobs to help out, providing grit to residents and organising volunteer teams of 'snow wardens' - will cost very little in comparison to the huge difference they will make to residents, particularly the most vulnerable. Please help us stand up for ice free pavements this winter.'
Published on: 12/12/2011
