Greater Manchester candidates urged to stand up for pedestrians
Living Streets is urging Greater Manchester Mayoral candidates to put walking first by cutting pavement clutter, reducing car speeds and rolling out “School Streets” - closed to traffic at pick up and drop off times.
In ‘A Manifesto for Walking’, Living Streets calls on Mayoral candidates to pledge to:
- End pedestrian deaths and injuries on roads
- Tackle air pollution
- Make school streets safe
- Make walking easier and cut pavement clutter.
A Manifesto for Walking sets out key asks of candidates, including a default 20mph limit in built-up areas, more car-free zones, and measures to reduce pavement clutter and create more space for people walking.
Pedestrians account for more than a third (38%) of fatalities on built-up roads in Greater Manchester and 35% of serious injuries. In 2019, more than 222 pedestrians were killed or seriously injured on the region’s roads.
Annual concentrations of nitrogen dioxide have exceeded legal limits every year since 2011, with air pollution contributing to the equivalent of 1,200 early deaths a year.
Mary Creagh, Chief Executive, Living Streets said:
“During lockdown, people in Greater Manchester rediscovered the simple act of walking – the oldest, cheapest and greenest transport there is. But they are worried about speeding vehicles, dirty air, cluttered pavements, and dangerous crossings.
“It doesn’t have to be like this. Through the Bee Network and Active Travel Fund, change has begun. Now is the time to keep up momentum. We will only meet our net zero carbon goals and improve air quality and road safety by getting more people walking instead of driving.
“Greater Manchester mayoral candidates can tackle road danger, air pollution and health problems by acting on this manifesto and standing up for pedestrians.”