A "shared place" on the roads

Busman747 · 08-01-2005, 12:28

The UK has a reputation for zany ideas but this latest one beats all......

Exhibition Road in London which is home to the Victoria and Albert Museum as well as the Science and Natural History Museums is to have all the white lines, pedestrian crossings and pavements removed and will become a "shared place" where motorists and pedestrians have equal rights and no one has priority,described in the press as "a sort of peace 'n' harmony"

This means that you have a perfect right to walk up the centre of the "shared place" while cars simply drive anywhere as long as that space isn't taken up by other drivers or pedestrians.

The whole idea is madness but it is compounded by the fact that the road they have selected has thousands of school children daily in parties of 30 or more visiting the museums.

Are we talking days or hours before someone is killed?

Sparkologist · 08-01-2005, 13:04

This system has been tried on the continent, in Holland I think. Against all expectations, early indications suggested that it actually worked, due to both drivers and pedestrians being more careful and observant.

Acrylic-bob · 08-01-2005, 14:42

The full story is here...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...on/4151047.stm

Angel 04 · 08-01-2005, 17:25

hope it works then

WillowTheWhisp · 08-01-2005, 20:30

The RAC spokesperson doesn't sound too keen on the idea.

I wonder whereabouts in Wiltshire this is already in force and how well it works there.

I don't know how anybody else feels but when I'm on a strech of road with no markings I feel very vulnerable and feel a lot more comfortable when the familiar white lines are there.

If the street is crowded with pedestrians I feel rather sorry for the motorists - who remembers the old zebra crossing on Broadway (roughly from where Greggs now is across to Woollies) in the days when the road was open to traffic? Once pedestrians had started across there the cars didn't stand a chance of getting a look in.

I'm also rather nervous of the idea of a road with no pavement where large numbers of children are present. I sincerely hope that a child (assuming safety) doesn't dart in front of an unsuspecting car.

Georgezz · 08-01-2005, 20:37

Sorry to butt in Willow but I posted a pic of the Load of Mischief on the Nori thread - you asked for one before

)

WillowTheWhisp · 08-01-2005, 20:43

Just seen it and replied.

Busman747 · 08-01-2005, 23:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparkologist

This system has been tried on the continent, in Holland I think. Against all expectations, early indications suggested that it actually worked, due to both drivers and pedestrians being more careful and observant.

By all means give it a try.....but Central London? and of all the London streets, why pick the one that is the most heavily populated with children?

Peel Street in Accy has been described as "a death trap" even though cars are banned and a 20 mph speed limit is in force. Pedestrians assume it is safe to cross so they often don't bother looking and they are adult!

Imagine if you can, a young 6 year old, seeing a throng of people walking around in the road, there are no kerbs or pavements to indicate a "safety zone" ...and his mate is 30 yards (sorry, Metres) away. His mental training has told him to stay on the kerb and check for traffic but this is a mystical street, no kerb, his peers are ignoring all the rules that he has been taught by his parents......he runs towards his mate...

I too would like to know where in Wiltshire this has been tried out and as for the experiment in Holland, was it central Amsterdam? or did they use a little of their grey matter and select a smaller town and roads that do not have "passing through" traffic?

I still think that this idea is absolutely crazy and when a death occurs, the councils involved should be charged with manslaughter.

Busman747 · 08-01-2005, 23:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Georgezz

Sorry to butt in Willow but I posted a pic of the Load of Mischief on the Nori thread - you asked for one before

)

no offence Georgezz but a PM would have been more appropriate

Georgezz · 09-01-2005, 10:56

None taken Busman, I assume a PM is personal message and if thats like IM I don't use them. Must admit I'm struggling on the navigation of AccyWeb, but I'm now keeping a couple of windows open and it seems to be helping

WillowTheWhisp · 09-01-2005, 15:22

A PM isn't "live chat" like an IM it is more like a private post sent to just the person you wish to communicate with. I just tried to send you one but notice that your facility is disabled. It stops a certain amount of thread wandering and helps to keep to the actual theme of the thread by avoiding subjects which have absolutely nothing at all to do with it.

If you really have an aversion to Private Messages then you could always start a separate thread for your new subject.

Georgezz · 09-01-2005, 15:43

As a Manager of several sites I'm aware of the dangers (hacking via IP addys - very easy to do) so I never reveal my email addy to others that may post. I'm sorry if I offended anyone by going off thread and I've corrected that now.

Bazf · 09-01-2005, 16:07

Why not use a disposable address like Yahoo or Hotmail?

WillowTheWhisp · 09-01-2005, 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Georgezz

As a Manager of several sites I'm aware of the dangers (hacking via IP addys - very easy to do) so I never reveal my email addy to others that may post. I'm sorry if I offended anyone by going off thread and I've corrected that now.

A PM doesn't connect to your email address. It is merely a private post to/from you within the message board. The recipient sees no more information about you than on any other post.

park381 · 09-01-2005, 21:51

Going back to the topic in hand "A "shared place" on the roads" I thought we had that in Accrington centre, like at the bottom of Broadway, and Blackburn Road, wana go to the Bank or Building Society, just stop and go in, no consideration for anyone, then of course there is the buses, WOW...........jump outa the way or yer under

What a mess the centre is