Car-free (From Penarth Times)

Car-free

I AM writing to welcome the intended pedestrianisation of a portion of Glebe Street, Penarth.

This carefully thought through proposal may well have a far wider influence than its measurement suggests, demonstrating, as it will, the advantages of a hassle-free environment for shoppers.

Shopkeepers, of course, are often apprehensive of losing trade when it is proposed to bar motor traffic.

There is though, little logic in this fear, as the businesses of Cardiff's Queen Street soon realised when the main flow of traffic there was diverted and trade flourished.

The Scandinavian "Living Streets" approach which pedestrians and others are now so keen to promote, recognises many advantages of returning public space to safe human environment, instead of allowing motor vehicles to continue polluting and obstructing the whole of the urban scene.

Congratulations to Penarth for their experiment, and may the move towards "Living Streets" for people spread and prosper.

Lisbeth David Heol-y-Pavin Llandaff Cardiff