Message from Dr Luke Evans MP

IN A SOMEWHAT unusual step, the Editor has asked me to respond on an issue posed by Markfield residents regarding 15-minute neighbourhoods.

While I am more than happy to share my thoughts and opinions on any issue with constituents, I want to be clear in the following: proposals around the viability of 15-minute neighbourhoods are in the remit of elected Councils or Mayors to consider, not MPs.

Examples you may have seen include proposals within Oxford to bring about 15-minute neighbourhoods by 2040.

Essentially, a 15-minute neighbourhood is one in which residents can access all the essentials (from supermarkets and stores, to schools, healthcare providers and recreational spaces) within a 15-minute walk from their home, at first glance this seems admirable.

But I have huge concerns on the finer details and real life practicalities. Let me explain further…

The proposals in Oxford put forward something called traffic filters – in essence zones –meaning that at the times when the filters are operating, you may need to take a different route (such as using a ring road) if you wish to travel by car. The City Council say you can use public transport options at all times of the day, but not your car.

The proposals state that residents of the city would need to apply for a permit to drive through the filters on up to 100 days a year. Additionally, if a driver uses said filter without a permit or an exemption (for blue badge holders, carers, businesses and emergency services), they face a fine of up to £35, which increases to £70 if not paid within two weeks.

To me, this is where well intentioned ideas meet reality, and the two do not stack up. I don’t believe zoning and restrictions are the right answer.

And I certainly don’t believe Leicestershire is right for such schemes.

As we have seen with the widening of the London ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone), these measures hit people on lower incomes the hardest, and aim to use a £12.50 daily levy to control people.

Affordability is one of the key tenets when it comes to our nation’s success in tackling climate change. I would prefer to see funds used towards improving our infrastructure, such as the over £2 billion spent by this Government to roll out a network of electric car chargers.

Effective policy making must have an achievable goal. It will only be effective if you can carry those affected with you with reasoned argument, support and understanding, not just blindly pursuing a vision of Utopia that does not assimilate with modern living.

I do generally support the idea of residents having access to everyday needs and essentials, such as shops, local parks or healthcare facilities, within a 15-minute walk of their home - a noble cause, but we must think about the reality. Particularly in rural communities such as ours, people often have no option but to use their car.

Regretfully, I saw nothing within Oxford City Council’s explanation of their proposals which gave reassurances as to what these residents would do on the other 265 days per year when they’re not permitted to use their cars.

As other constituents have raised this with me previously, I wrote to the Department for Transport about the matter and while distinctions were made about their remit as this is under the purview of the City Council, the Minister responded with the following: “I support people being able to travel with freedom and I am clear that local authorities must assess carefully what solutions should apply to managing their streets, taking into account the needs and views of the whole community.”

By this point you may have reached the same conclusion as I: that this is not viable for our community. But I invite you to look into the proposals yourself and draw your own conclusions. As it happens, and I should stress, this is not something that I’m aware is being proposed locally.

Should you have concerns as to the possibility of zoning in our area, I suggest writing to your Councillors to seek a clarification on their stance on the matter, and what their approach would be.

Dr Luke Evans

Little Markfield Farms Vehicle Meets

Forest Road, Markfield, Leicester LE67 9UN

Dates

Friday 18th August

Friday 15th September

From 5pm

All vehicles are welcome

Food and a Bar will be available

We will be collecting for LOROS

For more information contact Brenda on 07774 047571.