Local councillors press for clarity on the Active Neighbourhood trial in Crookes and Walkley
Councillors have issued a statement about the Active Neighbourhood trial currently running in Crookes and Walkley. The councillors support the aims of the trial but say the implementation has been ‘unpredictable’ and ‘confusing’. At a meeting with the Council’s Head of Strategic Transport and Infrastructure, (Tomorrow Tuesday, September 27th) they will call for more clarity to be given on the trial and for local residents to have a say on how it progresses.
A Joint statement from Ruth Milsom and Minesh Parekh (Councillors for Crookes and Crosspool ward) and Tom Hunt and Ben Curran (Councillors for Walkley ward):
“All of us want to live on streets that are safe for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists. We want streets where children are safe to play out and that aren’t busy cut-throughs. That’s why we support the aims of the Active Neighbourhood trial in Crookes and Walkley. It was set up to try out ideas for how to make streets more liveable.
“But right from the beginning we have heard serious concerns from residents and businesses. People who like the changes as, well as people who don’t, have all told us that the initial public engagement and design process should have been better.
“We are now three months into a six-month formal consultation period, and too many of the trial measures still haven’t been implemented.
“Residents are frustrated with the uncertainty about what is happening and concerned about the implementation of the scheme. We share those concerns. No-one is satisfied with the current situation, whether they like the trial or not.
“When we meet the Council’s Head of Strategic Transport and Infrastructure we will press him for clear proposals for implementation, better communications with residents, and a programme of meaningful public involvement. The trial will have better outcomes and more legitimacy if the next steps are clearly informed by local public opinion”
