town is gridlocked between 330 and 630 every weekday

[badtraffic]

The answer is to build more homes.

I could cry.

Anything under 3 miles can be walked, under 5 miles can be cycled.

I can't cycle. Physically can't do it following an injury when I was 21.

The problem about these threads is lack of imagination "I can walk so should you", "I can get public transport so can you" "I chose a school we could walk to so should you" without even the slightest thought that your anecdotes aren't evidence for many areas of the UK.

One of the reasons we moved was when we moved to the village we had a corner shop, a local school and a good bus route in both directions. DD doesn't got to the local school, the shop closed and now we travel 10 miles in either direction and the bus runs twice a day (one direction) termtime only!

So we moved more centrally. And reduced to one car and use our bikes more - it's an experiment I'll let you know if it works

Most people can walk 3 miles and bike 5 miles but other factors come into play. Dh used to bike to work when our son was younger but our son now needs a lot of support at certain times of day and dh cycling to work would make that impossible.
I don't fancy pushing ds's wheelchair for 3 miles on a regular basis either.

Clearly not everyone can walk, cycle or catch a bus & it would be foolish to expect it. But there are plenty of people who could walk, cycle or take a bus yet still insist on driving. If we could persuade them out of their car, then everyone would benefit.

No way would I cycle to work. With all the traffic on the routes into town (all of which go past schools) it’s just too dangerous. Plus there is nowhere for me to leave wet clothes at work if it rained or anywhere nearby to keep a bike. That and I don’t own a bike. If it was safer and there was some storage provided I’d consider cycling.

I can walk it. It’s a 35-40 minute walk. But again. In winter there’s nowhere to leave wet weather gear at work. The way I’d walk is full of traffic and either wet weather gear (full waterproofs) are a must or a change of clothes is needed as car drivers seem to enjoy driving fast near puddles.

I usually walk in the summer or in winter if it’s dry. But haven’t at all this year as was pregnant.

Most people could use a bus, but they can only use them if they are regular, go in both directions, run at the weekend too and don't stop stupidity early.

Ememem

Why is it dangerous to cycle? Especially around schools it shouldn’t be dangerous with students around

I'd love to cycle to work but I'd also like to live to be 40. The roads in the west midlands mean those two are likely to be mutually exclusive.

Loads of places are too dangerous to cycle. Our government has been extremely short sighted regarding cycle provision. It's one of the reasons loads of us are fat and massively unfit.

Surely a 10minute car journey would be quicker to walk than let it take an hour. More houses within the town might actually help because people are living within the town so no transport needed?

So many people mentioning Colchester. Its awful from 3pm.

I no longer use public transport with my toddler because she doesn't sit still or shut up.

'The problem about these threads is lack of imagination "I can walk so should you", "I can get public transport so can you" "I chose a school we could walk to so should you" without even the slightest thought that your anecdotes aren't evidence for many areas of the UK.'

I am guilty of declaring that I walk and use public transport. I have also said that I live somewhere (SE London) with good transport links. Actually, I think the other fans of going local have said the same.

What’s up with the roads in the West Midlands that you won’t see 40?

I cycle in the West Midlands and am well over 40 🤔

More houses within the town might actually help because people are living within the town so no transport needed?

Unless they don't build facilities such as schools and doctor surgeries to cope with the incommers, otherwise they are even more people who need to use cars to get to these places.

What would people do if they physically could not drive any more? That happened to me - I was diagnosed with a medical condition, and had to return my licence. This shit happens to real people, and then you literally have no choice but to find an alternative.

I had to move house so that I could walk to my job. I had to get used to getting the bus into town if I needed anything, and planning my life around that bus timetable - or get a taxi. It turns your life upside down, and it is a massive PITA, and travelling does require more planning - but the sky doesn't fall down.

Fortunately, I am now able to drive again, life's moved on and I now work in a different part of the country every week. I do use the car to travel to these places, but tend to do so after 11pm when the roads are quiet. There is minimal congestion on even the busiest roads at 2am, so don't worry - I'm not holding you up!

What would people do if they physically could not drive any more?

If noone could drive (cars) anymore, then houses near good transport links would skyrocket in price and the poor would still suffer as the government will make up new reasons on why they cannot improve the public transport.

I've been cycling for the years and do not own any 'wet weather gear' apart from a rain coat!

Kpo

Interesting thoughts

But take Kenilworth as a town that has doubled in population and due to this is reopening the train as an option

The station is nearly built - it was shit down and dismantled in 1965

And one train and hour will run to leamington and in the other direction Coventry

There is still scope to open up other platforms on this route

Meaning that more and more houses would become in the areas you describe

We can lobby our councillors to put in these transport links to new developments

Nothing stopping all of us on the thread doing this and making sure transport other than cars gets looked at along with planning

"everything under 3 miles can be walked, under 5 miles cycled"
theoretically correct, but:

• to walk for a 3 mile school run, you need to be a stay at home parent, or work next to the school, otherwise you won't make it to work on time (3 mes to school, arrive at 8 for breakfast club. walk back 3 miles to the station, get train to work. that means arriving at work around 9:30 - a bit late!

-cycling with a primary school child means at least cycle paths are necessary. i'm not letting my 4 year old cycle on a busy road between loads of lorries. and with a trailer i would be stuck in the same queue the cars are stuck.

"everything under 3 miles can be walked, under 5 miles cycled"

Not in a wheelchair. Even if there were no blocked dropped kerbs, potholes, and steps.

Tyra why would you have to walk back home to station? I don’t understand that part?

Lurkinghusband- chap by us has a converted bike as he is wheelchair bound, it’s light weight and he literally zips round in it - faster than walking

Tyra why would you have to walk back home to station? I don’t understand that part?

I presume Yura lives somewhere similar to me. There's no public transport to my DD's school. Nearest train station (small village one, one line in and one line out) is by my house. So I would have to walk DD to school then walk back before I was able to use the train.