Warwick campaigners calling on residents and councils to embrace cycling and walking

A campaign group in Warwick is urging residents to embrace cycling and walking.

Clean Air Warwick is calling on residents and the councils to 'make 2020 the year when people all got back on their bikes to make local journeys' and that if they can’t do that, then to walk.

A spokesperson from Clean Air Warwick said: "Public Health England estimates that there are between 28,000 to 36,000 deaths every year related to air pollution and the biggest cause of this is traffic.

"We have all enjoyed a wonderful improvement in our towns during the lockdown period, but we are concerned that unless action is taken this summer we are heading towards the worst traffic problems ever ,once schools go back."

Local resident Jo Davies has three children who all ride to school, has noticed it gets more difficult each year, as traffic levels increase, to ensure her children can make the journey safely.

“Most of the cycle routes have not been designed with the safety of children in mind” says Jo.

“Too many of the cycle paths are too narrow, move from the pavement to the road and back again, then require you to cross a busy road, all of which is too big a risk for many parents to take, so they choose to their children to school”.

The campaign group is concerned that this September many parents who have previously sent their children to school on public transport or the school bus will decide not to take that risk due to Covid and will turn to the car for the school run, creating worse traffic than ever.

They are asking Warwickshire County Council to expand the temporary traffic arrangements that have been brought in this summer to help with social distancing, to cover the main routes to the schools so it is safe for children to make that trip by bike.

Another resident Katherine Attreed, is a walking enthusiast and tries to make as many local journeys as she can on foot.

“So many of the trips we make are a short distance and could easily be made on foot or by bike.

“The health benefits of active travel are so well documented and we live in such a beautiful place, it’s such a shame to miss out on appreciating it by always jumping in the car."

The group believe that many people are put off from making local journeys on a bike or by foot because parts of the cycleway or footpath are not safe enough.

They are calling on local residents to visit the Clean Air Warwick Facebook page and let them know the worst problems stopping them from making their journeys by bike or foot.

They are promising to collate these together and raise the top issues with the local councils.

Katherine added: “We really believe the pandemic has made people reassess how they want to travel and appreciate our lovely town."

Jo added: "We want to support people and really focus on where are the most important changes needed to help people make more of their journeys active ones."