Bromsgrove Must Get Its Fair Share of Funds to Aid Social Distancing
Following announcement from the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on Saturday (9th May) that a £2billion package has been launched to boost cycling and pedestrian capacity, the Lib Dems are calling for a fair share of the funds for Bromsgrove.
The group welcomed the announcement, after local Chairperson Joshua Robinson had previously written to Worcestershire County Council on Friday (8th May) to investigate widening of certain footpaths to help maintain social distancing as the lockdown begins to ease.
The letter stated "As you will be aware at the moment it is getting more and more difficult to social distance whilst going out for a walk, with more people driving and walking around. This will only get worse as lockdown is eased."
The letter asked if the County Council has the powers to temporarily widen footpaths in Bromsgrove to "ensure people are able to socially distance and keep the rate of infection down".
The party has also pointed out that we will be having to socially distance for a long-time and as measures start to be lifted it will become increasingly difficult for people to socially distance on the pavements around Bromsgrove.
Local campaigner Sam Evans pointed to other parts of the country and the world where temporary widening of pathways has been successful:
"Similar measures have been introduced successfully across Europe, the US and parts of the UK such as in Birmingham and Brighton."
"In parts of Bromsgrove it is difficult to pass oncoming pedestrians safely. Whereas on some other pathways it is impossible to maintain a safe distance of at least two metres from others."
"It is vital that Bromsgrove gets a fair share of funding to temporary measures to address this urgently."
Whilst the current calls for path widening are only a temporary solution, the group are also campaigning for more long-term measures to improve cycle routes and safety for cyclists and pedestrians across the district, and provide real solutions to chronic traffic congestion.