At two events in 2023, Zero Carbon Headingley had a stall and asked people what they thought of the idea and what their priorities would be.
Far Headingley Village Society’s very successful event for CLEAN AIR DAY in June, closed off part of Moor Road to cars with the aim of “bringing the community together without the noise
and pollution”. The road was taken over by stalls, entertainment and people of all ages. Local people we spoke to were concerned about the climate emergency and the impact of cars travelling through their community. We
gave them an opportunity to vote for their 4 priorities froma list, or suggest their own ideas.
Here’s how people voted:
In particular they welcomed:
- the idea of a one-way system for motor traffic using Cottage Road and Moor Road;
- all bus and train services free on Saturdays or Sundays within Leeds;
- and regular Car Free Days in Headingley.
The following week ZCH was at the Picnic in the Park organised by Friends of Beckett Park. Once again we found growing concern about the climate crisis. People visiting the stall raised similar concerns to those at the Moor Road stall (see below), plus
- the need for child-friendly traffic calming measures within the Beckett Park area.
Other ideas that people added were:
- Have a free young persons bus pass to mid 20s, say to deter them getting a car
- Traffic calming not just in Beckett Park Area but elsewhere, say Headingley Mount so that kids going to Shire Oak and other schools can cross in safety
- Remove buses going directly into Uni and drop students off on Otley Road (several people mentioned this)
- Please consider a seat preferably into a shelter for older people waiting at bus stops
- Less parking in town
- More bus lanes and prioritised traffic lights
- Less new housing along A660
- Make private vehicles largely obsolete for Leeds travel by having a mass investment in public transport
- At least make buses free for children
- Car-sharing themes … bring it on – – –
- Electric bike promotion
- 2 car maximum per household via parking permits to discourage especially student HMO’s from bringing 5 or 6 cars to Leeds