e-petitions - Request to Adopt a Clear Pavement Policy

We, the undersigned, concerned residents, submit this petition to urge the Council to adopt a comprehensive "Clear Pavement Policy." The central tenet of this policy is that pavements are for people, and we aim to improve the streetscape, enhance accessibility across the county, and address critical issues that impede our ability to enjoy safe and unhindered access as pedestrians walking, wheeling or scooting.

Our primary concerns revolve around the obstruction of pavements by vehicles, bins, A-boards, and other obstacles, which pose significant challenges to pedestrians, especially those with mobility problems, blind or partially sighted people, wheelchair users, and parents pushing buggies. We believe that creating an environment where pedestrians can navigate freely is a fundamental aspect of fostering a vibrant and inclusive community.
As concerned residents of Central Bedfordshire, we respectfully request the following actions be taken as a minimum to address these issues:

1. Footway Parking: Make footway parking the exception, not the rule, in all streets. Protect footways narrower than 1.5 meters wide, including from vehicles overhanging from private drives.
2. Feeling Safe: Prioritise pedestrian safety, especially at night by enhancing public lighting and urban design, with a particular focus on creating safer routes for women at night.
3. Pedestrian Crossings: Commit to a comprehensive program of dropped kerbs and same-level fully tactile crossing points at every junction, ensuring that all members of our community can navigate safely.
4. Protect Pavement Users: Commit to the replacement of shared pedestrian and cycle paths with dedicated segregated cycle lanes. This initiative aims to reduce interactions between cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles, ensuring the safety and well-being of all road users.
5. Protect Junctions: Commit to protect every junction from obstructive parking so all road users can navigate safely.
6. Refuse Collection: Take a tough and innovative approach to bins left on pavements on refuse collection days. Use innovative and progressive solutions such as providing bin storage in carriageways reallocating existing kerbside space on collection days.
7. A-board Regulations: Regulate A-boards on footways, especially in cluttered town centres, to enhance safety and accessibility.
8. Town Centre Decluttering: Undertake a program to declutter town centres from excessive street furniture, improving the aesthetic appeal and functionality of these areas.
9. Footway Gritting: During icy weather ensure entire pedestrian routes to destinations such as doctor’s surgeries, pharmacies, medical centres town centres, and public transport are gritted.
10. Prioritise Footway Maintenance: Ensure that every resurfacing job includes the footway.

We believe that these measures, when implemented, will significantly improve the quality of life for all residents and visitors in Central Bedfordshire, making our communities safer, more accessible, and welcoming to all. We also encourage the Council to explore any other measures that can further enhance pedestrian experience and safety within the county.

As your residents, we trust that you will consider our plea seriously and take prompt action to enact these changes. We look forward to a more accessible and people-friendly Central Bedfordshire."

Supporting details:

This petition supported by Leighton-Linslade Living, Streets, Biggleswade Living Streets, and Walking and Cycling in Biggleswade and backed up by the national Living Streets Cut The Clutter Campaign, is a crucial move towards giving pedestrians the priority they deserve and enhancing our county's streets.

The core idea behind this policy is simple: pavements are meant for people. We strongly urge the council to adopt this principle, to create more inclusive and accessible communities. Our primary concern revolves around obstacles like vehicles, bins, A-boards, street furniture, and other objects obstructing pavements. These issues create challenges for all road users particularly those with mobility difficulties, blind or partially sighted people, wheelchair users, and parents pushing prams.

By championing this policy, we aim to create a vibrant and welcoming environment where all residents can easily access our streets, whether on foot, using a wheelchair, or scooting. By adopting a clear pavement policy, Central Bedfordshire Council can demonstrate its commitment to prioritising the needs and well-being of its residents, making our community a better place to live. We strongly urge the Council to give serious consideration to this petition and take concrete steps towards establishing a pedestrian-friendly county for all.

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