OK, let’s open a can of worms… I’m going to talk about my nose: the way we deal with traffic in our conservation areas. Imagine lovely old streets of buildings that are older than a high school history book, and then what do we do to them? We plonk a few hideous speed humps in and that’s it. As sensible as ketchup on a roast dinner.

The Problem with Old-School Methods

After all, it goes without saying that most traditional traffic calming measures (sorry, but those hideous speed humps are about as appropriate to a historic district as a skyscraper in the Shire and, frankly, just as ugly) detract from the ambiance of an area that’s meant to be a time-portal, not to the nearest garage for suspension work.

Not just prettification, either: these are cultural heritage hotspots, where every bump against the road sends vibrations through ancient structures. It’s such a no-brainer. We’ve got to be smarter about how we maintain the fabric of our history, not just patch it up.

Introducing New School Thinking

Now, how do we keep these historic streets safer without making it look like there’s a roadworks project going on? Well, thanks for asking, because we do have some tricks up our sleeve and they are worth shouting about.

Next is the shared space principle. This is as cool as it sounds. It’s about taking away the usual street furniture, goodbye traffic lights, road markings and the like, and letting cars, cyclists and pedestrians mingle more naturally. It slows everything down because, when you don’t know who has right of way, you pay more attention. It’s using uncertainty to breed caution, and it works.

Then there’s the notion of playing psychological games to pacify traffic. Imagine aesthetically pleasing brickwork or cobblestone that, because it makes the road look smaller or more fragile, naturally induces the driver to take his foot off the pedal a little. Subtle but effective, and the best part is, it all fits in with the historical theme.

Why We Need to Embrace These Changes

Don’t get me wrong: we’re not just talking about protecting a touristy-looking panorama. These techniques make things safer, without compromising the historic character. Less noise, less wear and tear on the road (and on your car), and a better experience in general. It means these districts

Better yet, here’s the punchline: when you make road safety more thoughtful and respectful of the historic qualities of an area,. People come, they linger longer, they spend more money. It’s a win-win. Better safety, better business.

Beautiful Roads Less Travelled  

What we need now is a little chutzpah from those charged with their protection. It’s all very well to nod sagely and give a ‘yes, but…’ Unless they are given a chance to actually succeed, these novel approaches will remain lodged between the teeth of our historically designated districts, unable to exert their restorative power. Local councils and planners need to step up, to be bold, to try them. Because as they are, the old ways have had their time.

So, the next time you’re riding over a thousand-year-old cobble street, or bouncing along a 17th-century roadstone lane, think about how much more pleasant it could be if we used just a bit more imagination. Our historic districts deserve better than this; it’s time we gave our traffic-calming strategies, literally, a new direction. It’s time to make our places safe and to keep them safe, and to keep the stories that these places tell alive for a few more centuries at least.

Read another of my posts about historic district road safety at: https://www.cnnblog.co.uk/2024/08/09/speed-tables-in-historic-districts-enhancing-charm-safety/