YEP reader Frances Jones looks at how we can create a quieter and healthier future for everyone

Many of us, I am sure, have been thinking a lot about what the future holds as lockdown eases, writes Frances Jones.
Traffic on the M1 in Leeds.Traffic on the M1 in Leeds.
Traffic on the M1 in Leeds.

Whilst these past six and a half weeks have been very, very difficult for many people, there have been some interesting bright spots.

The peace and quiet has been amazing. Hardly any planes and very little road traffic. So our air quality has been better, so much better that we have been asked not to light bonfires.

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When air quality improves, so does everyone’s health, with less pollution poisoning our hearts and lungs.

This is a very important public health issue. Better air quality makes us less susceptible to illness and better able to recover from infections.

So how do we get back to some kind of normal work, school and leisure?

This must not be by getting back in our cars. That would be counterproductive and is no way to ensure the social distancing which needs to continue in the short term. When there is a staggered return to primary school, for instance, it will be much easier to avoid crowding if there are no cars outside school.

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The pavements and the roads will be clear so everyone will be able to see and manoeuvre round each other.

A recent article in the YEP highlighted the importance of increasing the numbers of trains and buses to enable people to get around without needing to use their car for every journey. Something which also needs considering here is the cost of public transport which can be prohibitive.

It is also far too high in relation to the cost of park and ride in Leeds, which only encourages people from within Leeds to drive to the park and ride instead of catching the perfectly adequate, but expensive, service from outside their door.

Active travel, by bike, on foot, by scooter, etc, is also an option for lots of people. I was fascinated to see that in Italy, Milan council has just painted some of their city streets to give more space to cycling and walking - a possibility wherever vehicles currently take up more than one lane.

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Again, a healthier lifestyle helps protect our hearts and lungs and makes us less prone to disease.

But lifestyles are not all about personal choice. They are more about political decisions.

Do we have good, reasonably priced public transport?

Is enough road space allocated to walking and cycling so that everyone feels safe?

Can I walk to my local shops? Is my housing estate planned so that I can walk directly to the bus stop and local amenities, or do I have to walk half a mile to the end of the road instead of being able to cut through on a path between the houses?

We can create a quieter, healthier future.

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If this coronavirus crisis has shown us nothing else, it has clearly demonstrated that with political will and clear messages from our leaders, we can make huge changes.

Let’s make sure we re-build a healthier economy and society for everyone.

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