Green Party Council Election Candidates, Doug Alldred and Claire Critchison, are proposing a bold new plan for strategically selected minor roads in their wards – which could see speed limits reduced.
The candidates say it will open the network up to leisure and exercise use and help people get more active as Islanders recover from the pandemic and beyond. Under the Green Party candidates’ plans announced today (Monday), a network of Quiet Roads would be established between Mottistone and Chale.
These minor roads would be opened up for safer use by walkers, cyclists, runners and horse riders by reclassifying them as Quiet Roads; limiting vehicle speeds and encouraging cars to use the alternative ‘main road’ routes.
Doug Alldred, standing in Brighstone, Calbourne & Shalfleet, said:
“The network of lanes from Mottistone, through Brighstone, Yafford, Atherfield and as far as Chale Green are an absolute gem with their unspoilt views across the AONB. They are brilliant to explore by bike as I did when growing up in Brighstone, and now as a runner trying to stay in shape.
“Many people in Brighstone, Shorwell, Yafford and the other villages and hamlets in the lanes frequently exercise their dogs, take walks, cycle, or ride horses through this network. Our plan will make it safer and even more pleasant, encouraging cars to stay on the main roads and limiting the speed of vehicles which have to use the lanes.”
Reports suggest that 26,000 people on the Island were recently defined as ‘inactive’ and seizing the opportunity of a new start after the pandemic offers a chance to improve this figure. According to the party, making suitable roads safer for leisure users could open up a fabulous asset for residents and tourists alike.
Doug added:
“By giving the more vulnerable leisure users a safer set of roads to use we can encourage them away from the busier routes, leaving those main roads clearer for motorists, so everybody has something to gain from this proposal.”
Shorwell, Chale & Niton Green Party candidate, Claire Critchison, added:
“As a keen horse rider I have used these lanes since I was a child, and the thought of making them more accessible, quieter, and safer for people fits perfectly with our aims.
“They are a beautiful part of our island and enabling people to use them more confidently for health and wellbeing will be a big step in getting people more active as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.”
It’s believed a West Wight Quiet Roads Network would also be a tourist magnet, incorporating a section of the existing Round the Island Cycle Route and connecting with many footpaths. Encouraging visitors to discover these beautiful lanes will bring them into nearby villages, boosting the local economy.
Claire Critchison said:
“With the right publicity a network of picturesque lanes where horse riders, cyclists, walkers and runners have priority would be a massive asset for the tourism industry and is sure to add to the Island’s reputation as a top destination for families and people in search of a beautiful tranquil getaway.”
The initially proposed network would cover over 20km of roads colloquially known as the ‘back lanes which fall in the Brighstone, Calbourne & Shalfleet and the Shorwell, Chale & Niton wards, but Doug Alldred would like to see the network go further:
“I think this scheme could be the start of a wider programme of carefully encouraging leisure use of roads through suitable quieter routes. As long as there’s a viable ‘main road’ alternative route for vehicles then I see this as a win/win for all road users, and a big bonus for our health, our wellbeing, and our tourism economy.”
Green Party, If Newchurch is anything to go by since being made 20mph, then you will be wasting your time and the publics money..
And Godshill the same
And cause even more pollution by forcing cars down to third or second gear. I thought they said they were green?
And how many of the 26,000 live anywhere near where your going to put the so called Quiet Roads The speed limit don’t need changing anywhere on the island And if this is the best you can do for the island i would give up
You can propose whatever speed limit you like, but as they are not enforced, its irrelevant.
You can reduce the speed limit as much as you want, unfortunately it will change nothing, some people will drive at a speed way way above what ever the limit is.
Sad but true.
You need to reduce the speed limits for cyclists particularly on your “quiet roads” and that includes footpaths….
Who or what is going to enforce these speed limits? Lovely idea though.
Green party are so out of touch. Would it not be better for them to campaign for alternatives so that the cars do not need to be used (or owned) in the first place? Like free public transport country wide? They need to go back to their roots and campaign for real change. Not just sounding like some conservatives virtue signalling.
Another idiotic idea by the not-so-green IOW Green party. No wonder they barely get a vote.
Instead of making drivers’ lives even more of a misery by prioritising everyone else above them, how about targeting the small but significant minority who are determined to have their selfish fun behind the wheel regardless of speed limits, noise pollution and road safety. Get those scum off the roads and then I’ll listen.