Unlawful Streets

Are attractive streets against the law?

An event covering the case of Ali vs Newham 2012, the Equality Act 2010, the Department for Transports Guidance on the Use of Tactile Paving Surfaces, the ability of local authorities to innovate and the long-term goal of providing streets that can be used and enjoyed by all.

The vast majority of councils now recognise the economic and social importance of creating a high quality public realm that meets the needs of the many different groups and users in a community; many have also produced streetscene guidance to help achieve that goal.

However, in a judicial review in October 2012, Newham Council was told that its Streetscene guidance was unlawful; its proposed layouts for crossings - employed widely by other local authorities - were found to be at variance with the DfT Guidance on the Use of Tactile Paving. The judge concluded that because there was a public policy objective of having a national system of tactile paving to assist blind and partially sighted people, local authoritiesare thereforeunder an obligation to adhere to the DfT Guidance unless thereare clear and cogent reasons for departure.

The event will cover questions including:

• What are a local authoritys obligations under the Equality Act and the various other legislation under which it operates?
• Does the DfT Guidance on the use of Tactile Paving need to be refined?
• How does one balance the benefits of tactile paving with the costs to the street-scene and the impact on other mobility impaired groups (e.g. the potential introduction of trip hazards)?
• How should a local authority go about producing lawful street-scene guidance?
• Which of the current range of mobility aids really help disabled people?
• What is best practice in the 21st century, now that technology has moved on to include GPS and many other electronic aids?
• Are 20mph area-wide speed limits an essential mobility aid?
• How can we make balanced decisions that lead to streets that are designed and managed for the many rather than the few?

Speakers:

Brenda Peuch- Centre for Accessible Environments

Ross Atkin - Author of CABE Report Sightline

Tim Long - London Borough of Camden

Colin Davis - CJD Associates / PRIAN Public Realm Information and Advice Network

Michael Heap - CED

Kate Carpenter - JACOBS / Society of Road Safety Auditors

John Dales - Urban Movement

Robert Huxford - UDG Director / Co-author of the UK Guide on Highway Risk and Liability Claims

Please note, the event on Alternative Housing originally advertised for this date has now been rescheduled to 23 May 2013. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.