The Women and Equalities Committee have requested an urgent government review of the so-called shared spaces, where pavements and roads are often merged by removing street furniture such as kerbs. Particular concerns were raised about disabled people, namely the visually impaired, being able to use such areas safely.
Although any subsequent review is unlikely to directly affect Jersey, it could put pressure on the States and parishes to consider the use of ‘shared space’ schemes especially in the aftermath of the death of three-year-old Clinton Pringle.
The boy, who was on holiday in the Island with his mother, was hit and killed by a van in Tunnell Street, a road which the parish is responsible for, in June last year. His father, Michael, told the JEP days after his son’s death that more children could be killed because of what he said was a dangerous lack of distinction between the road and pavement in the area.
According to experts, the theory behind shared spaces is that the more barriers and separation placed between pedestrians and vehicles, the higher the speed that drivers feel is appropriate. Designing a street with little or no barriers between pedestrians and vehicles is, experts say, ‘one of the best ways to slow traffic’.
But in the Women and Equalities report it says: ‘We recommend that the government require local authorities to call a halt to the use of shared space schemes, pending clear national guidance that explicitly addresses the needs of disabled people.’
