e-petitions - Pedestrianise Leighton Buzzard High Street permanently, with additional improvements

We the undersigned petition the council to permanently pedestrianise Leighton Buzzard High Street, and invest in more benches, trees, greenery, cycle parking, a continuous surface across the street, while making good provision for deliveries and disabled parking. Also investigate bringing buses closer to the high street without letting them drive down the high street itself.

Permanently pedestrianising Leighton Buzzard High Street is good for business, good for the environment, and promotes a more enjoyable and social shopping experience.

Leighton Buzzard Town Council has just recently declared a climate crisis - letting drivers back in to the high street itself does not promote active travel nor does it send the right message regarding climate change.

Pedestrians, wheelchair users and the disabled in general, along with cyclists should be prioritised above all else in the heart of the town, while making sure there is still good car parking options within a short walk (within five minutes) from the town centre, as well as closer parking for those who are less mobile.

Keeping the high street traffic free makes it a safe space for people to spend time, window shop, chat to friends, children to play, and provide a class leading experience that online shopping simply cannot match.

We also need to make sure there is a good solution for all businesses on the high street such that deliveries can still be effectively made.

The high street in its current state is an unfortunate half way house between the two options thanks to a lack of enforcement regarding drivers entering the street.

We can do so much better if we resurface the whole street in to a pedestrian plaza, complete with benches, tables, planters, more cycle parking and more trees.

If it's permanently pedestrianised presumably events will also be able to be ran more often which will also draw more potential shoppers.

Living Streets' own Pedestrian Pound report has a wealth of information regarding how high streets that focus on pedestrians do better.

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