Judith’s story

I first came to Manchester in 1991. Since this time I’ve been an advocate for sustainable transport, seeing the benefits for personal health and wellbeing as well as those of the environment and the health of wider populations.

My early activism was focused on cycling – with campaigning and awareness raising to encourage cycling alongside improvements to infrastructure.

Becoming a parent led to more walking in my local area, and seeing the challenges caused by road traffic. The build up of cars in residential areas, congestion and pollution, dangers from speeding, pavement parking and priority given to motorised traffic. I could understand why people were reluctant to get out of their cars when it was unpleasant to walk and cycle!

There had to be a way to make these transport choices the easiest ones. And which would benefit all.

I became aware of Streets for People when they were supporting local changes with the low traffic neighbourhoods and finding positive ways to promote active travel, and I wanted to be part of that movement.

A few years on and the benefits of the first permanent filters in our local streets have been transformational. Residential roads are quieter, you can hear the birds and I still smile whenever I pass groups of families and children walking and cycling safely to school.

A great start, and vocal opposition is lessening. Now we just need to extend this to all areas in Levenshulme and Burnage.