The Humble Petition of Miss Lucy Loakes and Mrs Mary Loakes,
Sheweth,
That the installation of a pavement running from the A37/A39 traffic lights to Bookbarn International would significantly improve access for pedestrians, particularly those who are disabled.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House considers that this pavement be considered by Bath and North East Somerset Council.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.—[Presented by Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg, Official Report, 7 July 2015; Vol. 598, c. 292 .]
[P001532]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport:
Local highway authorities are responsible for managing the highway network in their area, this includes footways. As part of this they are also responsible for ensuring any measures on delivering public realm improvements meet relevant equalities legislation, meeting their duties under the Equality Act 2010.
Walkable neighbourhoods are typically characterised by having a range of facilities available to all residents that can be accessed comfortably on foot. Making the local environment convenient and attractive to walk in can help enhance the vibrancy of a community and reduce reliance on motor transport. People-friendly streets, including good cycling and walking networks, benefit everyone and provide benefits for our health, as well as boosting local economic growth.
The need for the installation of a new pedestrian footway in a local area is however a matter for the relevant local highway authority, in this case Bath and North East Somerset Council. It will be for them to decide on whether the installation of a new footway is required, based on their overall needs, priorities and funding available. It is not for Government to intervene in these local issues.
The Department for Transport issues advice to local authorities on the provision of pedestrian crossings, setting out a suggested framework for assessing potential sites, and deciding which, if any, crossing type is appropriate. This publication, LTN 1/95, and others which provide guidance on a variety of traffic management measures such as traffic calming are available on the Department’s website at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-transport-notes
This guidance is not a regulatory requirement, and local authorities are free to set their own criteria for assessing and prioritising crossing sites if they wish. The authority could also consider other ways of making it easier to cross the road—for example, by installing other traffic calming measures.