Tag: Transport for All

Living Streets: Cluttered pavements turning Scots off walking

  • Research finds one in four Scots (28%) would be more likely to walk locally if their streets were clutter-free.
  • Parked cars, bins and badly placed lampposts or signs are the most common obstructions.   
  • Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking is urging councils to take action to make streets accessible to all during #CutTheClutter week (11 – 17 July 2022)
  • The campaign is supported by Guide Dogs, RNIB and Transport for All.

Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking is calling on councils to take action to clear pavements of poorly placed bins, A-boards and excessive signage, which make it difficult for people to walk and wheel their everyday journeys.  

It comes as new YouGov research finds that over one in four Scottish people (28%) would want to walk more if their local streets were clutter-free.

The research also revealed the worst offenders for blocking up our pavements, with respondents citing parked cars/ vehicles blocking pavements (58%), bins (50%) and badly-placed lampposts and signs (19%) as the three most common obstructions in Scotland.

As well as impacting on people’s desire to walk their short journeys instead of driving them, cluttered pavements also prevent people with wheelchairs, buggies or Guide Dogs from getting around easily and safely.

Scotland made history in 2019 by introducing a nationwide ban on pavement parking. However, guidance on how local authorities should implement the ban is still being drafted by the Scottish Government’s Road Policy Team.

During Living Streets’ #CutTheClutter Week (11-17 July 2022), the charity is calling on councils to implement a series of measures to clear streets of other clutter and make them more accessible, including banning advertising boards (A-boards) on the pavement; putting in place plans and budget to remove excess or unused street furniture; and providing guidance to businesses on using pavement space for outdoor entertainment to ensure at least 1.5m pavement width remains.

Stephen Edwards, Chief Executive, Living Streets said: “Street clutter clogs up our pavements and makes it hazardous for people to get around. It forces people with wheelchairs and buggies onto the road and into the path of oncoming traffic.

“We need to make sure walking and wheeling are attractive options. Streets cluttered with obstructions fly in the face of that.

“We want councils to take action on these issues to make our streets accessible to all. In return, our streets will become safer, our communities more active, and the air we breathe cleaner.”

Living Streets’ Cut the Clutter campaign is being supported by Guide Dogs, RNIB and Transport for All.

Find out more at livingstreets.org.uk/Clutter

Charity launches campaign to free Britain’s pavements of clutter

  • Living Streets is launching a campaign to rid Britain’s pavements of clutter.
  • An increase in e-bikes, e-scooters, and on-street dining has seen more space taken away from pedestrians.
  • Over a third of people (34%) would visit their local High Street more if pavements were less cluttered.
  • The charity wants people to map the clutter in their local area on an interactive map during their #CutTheClutter Week of Action (12-18 July 2021)
  • The campaign is supported by British Cycling, Cycling UK, Guide Dogs, RNIB and Transport for All.

Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking is launching a campaign to rid Britain’s pavements of clutter.

Poorly placed bins, A-boards and excessive signage can clutter pavements and make it hazardous for people to get around. A recent increase in e-bikes, e-scooters, and on-street dining has seen more space taken away from pedestrians. Living Streets wants to cut the clutter on Britain’s pavements to make it easier for people walking and wheeling.

Cluttered pavements can prevent people with wheelchairs, buggies or Guide Dogs getting around easily and safely. Living Streets research finds that it can also impact on everyone’s desire to walk more, with a YouGov poll finding that over a third of people (34%) would visit their local High Street more if pavements were less cluttered.   

The charity is launching a #CutTheClutter Week of Action (12-18 July 2021) and asking people to show where the clutter is in their local area on an interactive map. The charity is also helping people write to their local councils to tackle the issue.

Stephen Edwards, Interim CEO, Living Streets said: “Our pavements should be wide enough for everyone to pass each other easily. When footways are blocked, it forces people into the carriageway and into traffic. Our research shows that people are more likely to get out and support their local economy when their streets are clutter-free.

“Town and cities nationwide have been using government investment to trial schemes to create more space for people walking, including widening pavements and closing certain streets to traffic. We should not undo all this great work and investment by crowding pavements with excessive signage and poorly placed street furniture.”

Living Streets’ Cut the Clutter campaign is being supported by British Cycling, Cycling UK, Guide Dogs, RNIB and Transport for All.

Katie Pennick from Transport For All recently highlighted the issues wheelchair users face from on-street dining in a Twitter video that’s been viewed over 1.9 million times.

Katie Pennick, Campaigns Lead, Transport for All said: “For wheelchair users, visually impaired people, and many other disabled pedestrians – street clutter can turn pavements into treacherous, disorienting, and difficult routes.

“A poorly placed A-board can put an end to a particular journey. Having to navigate constant obstacles puts many people off from walking and wheeling, excluding them from the benefits of active travel.

“It’s vital that we remove the barriers on our pavements to enable more people to enjoy moving around their local communities with freedom, ease, and independence.”

To take part in the Week of Action, visit livingstreets.org.uk/Clutter