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The public is very much aware of traffic congestion
and the inconvenience, economic costs and health hazards that it creates,
not to mention greenhouse gases and climate change. We all have to do our best
to reduce congestion: less car travel when the roads are over-loaded being
the key factor. But the County Council's Transport for Surrey has the
responsibility to provide the infrastructure to make it all come together.
Besides better and more convenient bus services and parking (including park
and ride), there are some really simple measures it should be putting into
place: better use of yellow and white lines, minimising right turns, having
slip-roads and long filtering-in and merging lanes.... We are less conscious of the
environment, even though it is all around us. Our eyes, ears and noses tell
us about it, and we should not be content to leave it to others to do
something about the state of where we live. Our towns, sustaining small
local shops, well-cared for verges....
Heritage
Day 2009
The
current economic situation provides new opportunities for tackling
congestion and environmental issues. For the duration of this crisis, there
will be fewer people travelling to work by any means, including car, and
those that do use their cars will be conscious of the need to save fuel by
easing on the accelerator and brakes. It will be a time to make the
small changes that we are all aware of, but no-one in authority can see or
want to do; and plan the larger schemes for which capital is not available
at present; and - most of all- save money by not wasting it on projects
with no sound business case and adding no value to the economy. The planned
Walton Bridge is a classical example of such a scheme, as (contrary to
public belief and a Council-inspired myth) easing congestion was not in the scope anyway.
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The Thames Crossing At Walton
Canaletto, 1754 AD Reproduced by kind
permission of the Dulwich Picture Gallery (see their website www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk)
This
"Mathematical" Bridge was the first of a number of a clever
design repeated around the world, often known as
"Walton Bridges".
PACE is
also a pilot scheme in what the Government is promoting as
Participatory
Democracy
PACE's journey started at Walton
Bridge, and will (ultimately) end there.
issues of concern
Traffic Management including Parking
Bringing Life Back to the
High Street
PACE's Experience to date, and Lessons for all
Residents
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