Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
How to reduce atmospheric pollution in cities
" Fighting for Air " documentary on BBC 2 this evening at 18.00 showed how residents of Kings Heath, Birmingham managed to reduce NOx pollution on their high street by 30%.
How ? By persuading their council to remove parking bays on the high street as an experiment, allowing traffic to move more smoothly.
Worth a look. On BBC iPlayer for the next 29 days.
Tags for Forum Posts: high street , parking, pollution
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by JulieB on
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It would be so good. Even interesting as a trial to see if air quality improves and to check that local businesses won't lose income.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah on
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Do a trial then check the attitude of the businesses rather than their income
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And imagine how many more people might take the bus. I avoid Green Lanes entirely because it takes so long to get down it. I get the tube to Seven Sisters at every opportunity then get the 41. Imagine how much money I might spend on Green Lanes if it was easier to access by bus.
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Permalink Reply by Matt D on
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Removing parking on Green Lanes would be a dream. Also great for cycling.
Is it completely unachievable?
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Permalink Reply by Charlotte A on
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Oxford has pledged to become a zero emissions zone by 2020, the city centre will be closed to petrol and diesel cars. If they can do that, surely Haringey could remove on-street parking from busy roads? Perhaps via the Healthy Streets initiative.
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The issue for pollution here IMO is that it needs to be economically understood. Here, the council receive income through parking permits and business rates, and the risks of upsetting traders is probably huge in light of green lanes' status as a 'business hub' in the borough. What isn't understood I believe is the cost. Harm is not priced.
I don't think the council doesn't care (sorry double neg), I would guess that they don't price harm into their policymaking decisions. And when they do, they won't upset the status quo for something which has been 'functioning well' for so long (it ain't broke).
I would think that the council would be open to an innovation idea. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/air-quality-grant-programme to fund both undertake a thorough economic analysis of green lanes (Which could be reflected elsewhere) and undertake the excellent ideas below.
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Permalink Reply by Pamela Harling on
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Yes it is very strange that shop owners seem convinced that people want to park right outside shops - the evidence seems to show that less parking frees up/reduces traffic (and pollution) and increases footfall.....
Walking/cycling a bit more would also reduce some of the excess weight about - bearing in mind that some people will always need mobility assistance.
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