Pedestrians v Cars

ROBIN ANDREWS of Totnes has some very strong views about cars being allowed in the town - and what he thinks people should do if, like him, they don't like it

It's funny how people seem to accept things simply because that's how they are.

Take the issue of cars versus people in a town like Totnes. It seems obvious that there is a conflict of interest between pedestrians and car-users in the town. The pavements are extremely narrow, and the road is usually full of parked cars as well as traffic.

I've always found this distressing, because I resent being crammed into a tiny space as cars go past, sometimes dangerously fast, and sometimes poisonously slowly, their drivers rarely doubting their God-given right to be there. But now I have a baby buggy to manoeuvre, the situation is intolerable. There simply isn't room. Not only that, but car exhaust fumes are emitted at just the height where a small child will breathe them in directly.

Often, rather than being a pleasant, sociable experience, the trip to town can be stress-ridden to the extreme. There are loads of children being pushed around in buggies, and I frequently ask myself why their parents, and the rest of us, young or old, aren't more assertive about our space. Who should have right of way? The drivers of noisy, polluting and dangerous vehicles, or pedestrians, with their need for pleasant surroundings and stress-free access?

When cars first became common, how did we not foresee what a serious problem they would become if measures were not taken to preserve car-free spaces for pedestrians? Or, if we did, why did we not have the power (or inclination?) to prevent it? To what extent have our own decisions, and those of the government, been influenced by hardcore sales tactics (explicit and subtle) from the car manufacturers and oil companies?

As little yet seems to be happening to ban cars from towns, I would like to recommend three things which may improve the situation, until the powers-that-be (and that includes us!) get their act together and legislate for pedestrians' rights.

First, if you drive a car, don't drive through towns if you can possibly avoid it. Just because you can (ie, it's not illegal) doesn't mean that you should. Take a moment to consider the effect your car will have on people as you drive past. One car may not be too much of a problem, and people would happily make way if it were an exception. But hundreds or thousands every day, of which each single one is a small but significant part, create pollution, danger and stress.

Second, when walking in town, don't give up your right of way. If you want to walk in the road rather than being squeezed onto a hopelessly inadequate pavement, or want to push your pram at your own pace, go ahead and do it! After all, the streets were built for people, and cars came later. Don't give in to the power of how things are if you don't think they should be that way.

And third, if you agree with the sentiments expressed here, don't stay quiet! Talk about it, encourage others to think about it, and encourage others to encourage others!

I would also like to add that I believe the first towns to become car-free will experience great prosperity as a result. People will flock from miles around to do their shopping and townly recreation in a pleasant, stress-free environment, which would also be so much more conducive to street art and general cultural richness.



Robin Andrews is a musician living near Totnes with his wife and daughter (and no car). He would welcome any help with the anti-car(pro- walking, cycling, public transport and sustainable local culture) campaign. Contact him at: robinmujician@bt openworld.com. For more information on the anti-car campaign, read 'Autogeddon' by Heathcote Williams, and visit www.carbusters.org.