Maybe of interest

[ianr]

Radio 4 programme, available to hear online or download in mp3, at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002n7p1:

City Transport: Faster, Cheaper, Greener

Rare Earth

How we get around town has never been more political, with controversies over low traffic neighbourhoods and 15 minute cities, and rows about congestion charging and public transport breaking out all over the country. Tom and Helen are in search of the kind of consensus that makes things faster, cheaper and smoother for all of us. What works and what’s been a complete flop? Should we all stop moaning and get on our bikes? Who is the reshaping of traffic flows working - and not working - for? And could Milton Keynes have all the answers?

With contributions from:

Chris Boardman, Commissioner of Active Travel England.
Stephen Potter, Emeritus Professor of Transport Strategy at the Open University
Karen Lucas, Professor of Human Geography at the University of Manchester and Director of the Manchester Urban Institute
Natalie Ashton. Senior Engagement Officer (North) at Transport for All

Presenters: Tom Heap & Helen Czerski
Producers: Beth Sagar-Fenton & Alasdair Cross
Assistant Producer: Toby Field
Editor: Alasdair Cross

Rare Earth is produced in association with the Open University.

[Earl Aelfheah]

Really interesting debate - thanks for posting.

[Insuflo]

There’s a good point made in this programme, I think by Chris Boardman, about the language used to describe traffic calming. The principal benefit of LTNs is a reduction in pedestrian injuries and deaths, which mostly means fewer children injured or killed. If LTNs were called something like “child safe zones”, who would wish to be seen opposing them?

[CPR Dave]

Everyone would demand a "child safe zone" on their street. 

The primary purpose of LTNs was to stop out of towners rat running through people's private roads, not to provide a safety zone. That's why they are called low traffic neighbourhoods.

[Insuflo]

18 minutes ago, CPR Dave said:

Everyone would demand a "child safe zone" on their street. 

The primary purpose of LTNs was to stop out of towners rat running through people's private roads, not to provide a safety zone. That's why they are called low traffic neighbourhoods.

“Out of towners” ? “People’s private roads “? Very strange language. Have you actually listened to the programme?

Edited December 17, 2025 by Insuflo