We expect that regular readers of this column will be looking forward to their opportunity to contribute to Wokingham’s new Local Plan.
We are told that this will be mostly about where in the Borough new housing, infrastructure and the assumed road capacity will be.
We’re thinking about some of the assumptions within this.
The recent history of much of our public space has been dominated by a desire to enable as many car journeys as possible.
We see this in the proliferation of new large roundabouts and other fast flowing junctions which are optimised for traffic throughput.
Noise, air pollution, the climate, accessibility, personal safety and general well-being are all sacrificed on the altar that is traffic flow.
There are, however, some good counter-examples.
Elms Field and Peach Place in Wokingham Town have both reclaimed space from cars.
While neither can claim to be a rural idyll, the absence of traffic makes these spaces more human, contributing to our social, physical and mental health once you are able to reach them.
People-friendly commercial centres are also good for business, with research regularly showing they get more regular visits and higher consumer spend than roadside equivalents.
Market Place in Wokingham’s town centre, pinned in on two sides by traffic, simply isn’t as nice a place.
We see another aspect of this in Wokingham’s below average and worsening rates of travel on foot or by bike.
People tell us all the time that they are deterred from walking or cycling by the need to navigate busy and fast roads.
We think it’s time to join the dots between what people say and show they want from their public space, the reduction in car travel by 40% that the Council says it is committed to and the assumptions underpinning our Local Plan.
We need a vision for a people-centred borough, not just find the least bad way to fit in more of the same,
We have a rare opportunity to change course, and WATCH hopes that the debate in the next few months leads to a vision for a public realm to enjoy, not endure.
You can find more from WATCH at facebook.com/watchwokingham
