On the 5th of September Streets for People held a public meeting at Levenshulme Inspire Centre, for residents to find out about the latest updates to scheme and put their questions to our councillors.
It’s always nerve-wracking organising a public meeting. The very nature of the event means it’s always very unpredictable. Will anyone attend? Who will be there? How will our message be received? Then there’s the time spent re-reading key bits of research on active travel, statistics on car use, and remembering the many trials and tribulations of our own scheme here in Levenshulme and Burnage. Although we have run 2 public meetings before, this was the first face to face meeting.
Once 7 o’clock arrived, it was clear we were in for a busy night. Well known supporters and opponents of the scheme, as well as many newcomers arrived – meaning there were no spare seats. The local radio All FM also came to record the meeting.
Our evening opened with a presentation from Streets for People outlining the history of the active neighbourhood since its inception in 2018. As expected, it was a challenging presentation highlighting the delays, and missed opportunities as well as progress with the scheme. We were reminded about research in London showing benefits for both ‘boundary roads’ and filtered roads in terms of air pollution. We were also reminded of the positive feedback that the scheme had received in its many consultations. Next up was an opportunity for councillors to respond. Bev Craig took centre stage. She argued that the delays were partly due to COVID, a lack of funding and this being the first scheme of this kind in Manchester. She acknowledged that there were many lessons to be learned from the way the scheme had been run. She gave some answers regarding specific parts of the scheme, for example why the cyclops junctions were removed from the latest proposals due to being unable to buy the necessary land. She affirmed the council’s commitment to see the scheme through to completion.
Next it was time for the question and answer session. This was the part I was most scared of. Would it be a case of lively and productive debate? Or would it descend to the kind of squabbling that we have seen online ever since the scheme started? 30 minutes into the debate I was starting to breathe a sigh of relief. While serious differences of opinion remain and emotions still run high on both sides of the argument, everyone conducted themselves in a very respectful way throughout the meeting. Streets for People and councillors were challenged on the impact of the scheme on boundary roads and whether the scheme meant that residents were needing to pay more for petrol in a cost of living crisis. One woman shared that she felt safer walking at night when there is additional traffic going by. A local GP raised the issue of air pollution and the need for decisive leadership in order to protect health. This was particularly in relation to the decision to place the clean air zone in Manchester ‘under review’ rather than implementing it. One resident shared her difficulties in using her mobility scooter, due to pavement parking and motorists telling her that she shouldn’t be on the road. Some residents felt that we need a cycle lane on the A6. Others merely wanted to share the positive impact of modal filters on their lives.
As well as the change in tone, there was also a change in the councillors. At times speaking to councillors, I have had the feeling that they were talking without saying much. I’ve always had a lot of difficulty getting any specifics out of them. This time it was different. All three councillors made a clear statement of commitment to the scheme and seeing it through to completion, even if it was unpopular with some residents. While they didn’t mention plans for any additional modal filters, they also said that having more filters as part of phase two was ‘not a red line’ that they would be unwilling to cross. Bev Craig said that we can expect the vast majority of phase two of the scheme to be completed by Autumn 2024. Bev Craig also stated that ANPR is being seriously looked at in order to meet the council’s commitment to have a school street in every ward.
We were overwhelmed with questions and unfortunately not everyone had a turn to ask a question that wanted to. We ran a little late and called the meeting to a close at 8:40. Then in an unexpected turn of events, people on opposing sides stuck around for a chat to each other after the meeting closed!
To sum up, I’m really glad that we finally had an in person public meeting. The tone of the debate was so much better in person. We heard commitments from councillors to see the scheme through and get the vast majority complete in 2024. Talk is cheap and it’s now up to Streets for People to keep holding the council to account on their promises. But for now, time to leave the heat of the debate for a nice cycle home in the cool.
By Amy, Streets for People Levenshulme and Burnage
Streets for People - Levenshulme and Burnage 