Traffic free shopping streets create the conditions being sought by most members of the public. The public also want similar conditions in the streets where they live. Removal of extraneous traffic, speed reduction, improvement of safety, enhancement of the environment and encouragement to motorists to drive calmly create these conditions. Tried and proven techniques are available to achieve these objectives and legislation will soon remove any doubts as to the legality of such measures. However, Local Authorities must be responsible in their approach: emergency vehicle and bus movements must not be hampered by road humps-other techniques should be used; traffic calming should not be dealt with on a street to street basis-this could just transfer the problem; an area and corridor study approach ensures that a comprehensive scheme is prepared.
