Done a quick map of Wandsworth
There are relatively few main streets that cross the Borough, and most were designed only to be wide enough for carriages to turn around
And also relatively few town and village centres, most of which sit on main streets
Now the problem we have, as with all Boroughs, is that motor traffic comprises either people just driving thru or local people mostly driving relatively short distances
The received congestion on main routes leads drivers to “cut” corners, often because satnavs tell them to
Whilst that may improve an individuals journey times it doesn’t improve overall journey times (and actually creates “turbulence” as minor junction maneouvres impede main routes)
The further consequence is that side streets are then turned into mini reservoirs for thru traffic
But if we can reduce short journeys by enabling people to walk and cycle, the “temptation” to take “short cuts” diminishes and ultimately everyone wins
This is a classic economics problem - no one individual has perfect information so everybody makes sub optimal decisions which makes life worse for everyone
But a well thought thru startegyband policy that understands the issues but also uses best available innovations could be transformative for our homes, health and public spaces
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