Therese has called on the County Council to pause any further work on the Active Travel scheme for Woodbridge - and has suggested that any future proposals to encourage more walking and cycling would be more readily accepted if they weren’t so anti-motorist. As part of her detailed response to the recent consultation, she has urged the highways authority to focus more on improving pedestrian crossings, pavements and road surfaces in the town instead of closing off roads.
Therese said: “The government is finding areas to promote walking and cycling, but this should not be done by blocking off roads for driving and increasing congestion - which is bad for air quality. I share the concerns of many of my constituents on the measures proposed as they are somewhat detached from the reality of life in a rural market town. My overall message is that Active Travel should support those who want to walk and cycle more but should not be anti-driver.”
“The proposals to block cars simply do not work for most people living and working in Woodbridge and the suggested measures will just add pressure and congestion to the Dobbies roundabout on the A12.”
“There are also some surprising choices for the 20mph zone including cul de sacs and roads where it would be nigh on impossible to drive at 30mph already. It also seems nonsensical to remove on-street car parking, for example, on Birkett Road, which already acts as a natural traffic calming measure.
Therese added: “I think the money could be spent in much better ways by improving road crossings, including new pedestrian crossings and improving the pavements and road surfaces as a priority rather than closing off roads or reducing speed limits that are difficult to enforce. There is a real opportunity here, so I’m calling on the council to pause and think again.”
You can read Therese's full consultation response below.
