ePetition details

Pedestrianise Lancashire's High Streets

We, the undersigned, petition the county council to to pedestrianise some of the main shopping streets throughout Lancashire. Preston, Blackpool and Lancaster already have pedestrianised streets which make town centres safer for pedestrians and reduce pollution in our urban areas so this should be extended to other towns including Lytham, Kirkham and any other busy town centre without a major pedestrianised area

The move would make town centres less congested which would in turn make them more enjoyable for residents and visitors and it would encourage people to walk around more which has health benefits. Such pedestrianised areas would make it easier for towns to hold civic events and festivals that attract visitors to local businesses.

This ePetition ran from 15/11/2017 to 29/03/2018 and has now finished.

One person signed this ePetition.

Council response

Lancashire County Council acknowledges that good public realm design can help to bring vitality to urban centres. The removal of traffic can be a component part of a public realm scheme and pedestrianised areas are located throughout the county, including at Lancaster, Burnley, Ormskirk, and in Lytham, at Clifton Square. Pedestrianisation however, is not always the panacea to creating a vibrant town or city centre. Pedestrianised streets in Chorley and Nelson town centres have been reintroduced to traffic and parking (in a controlled manner), to help increase vitality and footfall.

Proposals to pedestrianise a high street require careful consideration, including taking account of how shops and businesses will be serviced, and how the community can be best served by bus services and bus stops. Pedestrianisation is only deliverable where suitable alternative routes are available for both access and through traffic. Additionally, the ongoing and increasing pressure on the public purse, means that any investment in the public realm needs to be measured against the benefits of other types of network intervention. Alternative sources of funding, including monies from new developments or local business investment, may be required to enable a scheme to be deliverable