Hello Councillors,
I would like to think you are all now aware of our Falkirk Unbound group, but if you are not, let me begin by explaining what has brought us together.
We have a good number of active members and we have major concerns surrounding the Falkirk Active Travel Strategy.
If you haven’t already, I would strongly suggest you have a good read of it.
I think there is little doubt that the implementation of this will affect everyone in Falkirk. Even all of you.
I am also aware it was unanimously agreed upon by all councillors at the council meeting held on the 11th April 23.
In a nutshell, it seems on the face of it, its intention is to make things accessible within 20 minutes walk of your area. This is great!
Unfortunately, it also comes with an implementation that states the focus will no longer be on cars but on walking and cycling, amongst other things such as car clubs.
Below are some of the concerning direct quotes that we feel are a out of touch with what most people actually want.
Our vision, people can live their lives without owning a car.
Those who have access to a vehicle to consider giving it up or using it less.
Street closures and semi-permeability.
Removes the need for vehicle ownership.
Reduce the number of private cars on the road.
Shift from private car to walking.
Break traditional ownership models.
Enable people to travel without the need to fuel and maintain private cars.
Replace on-street parking with wider footways and new cycleways.
Access to transport including car, on an on-demand basis.
Providing people with short-term access to shared vehicles like cars.
Our concerns have been sent to some local and national politicians about further implementations such as fines and major restrictions.
It would have been very easy at that point for the council and politicians to allay our fears. However, Falkirk Council and even national politicians Keven Stuart and Fiona Hyslop have simply refused to do so despite letters received.
This leads us to the conclusion that further impact on car use is coming as part of what seems on the face of it to be a good idea.
Other main issues include a lack of consultation. (See Falkirk Council FOI request 106283)
We have spoken with hundreds of residents thus far and very few know about this.
We have therefor come up with an initial set of questions we wanted answered.
1. No fines will be implemented as part of any of the 20-minute neighbourhoods implementation in Falkirk. At this point or at any other in the next ten years covering the full strategy timeline.
2. You will not reduce road capacity or freedom of movement for private vehicles, including parking and restrictions on travel amounts. (plans say otherwise!)
3. The cost of the implementation will not be prioritised over people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
(IE, nobody, especially vulnerable families, will be struggling with the cost of living in Falkirk before any further money is spent on this. My belief is this is basic prioritisation of public money.)
4. In your letter it states, “Local Authorities are encouraged to develop their own local active travel strategies”. Is it your belief this isn’t a requirement?
5. Please confirm what the Scottish government will be spending on all areas of implementation of 20-minute neighbourhoods?
6. When implemented across Scotland, what global temperature reduction per year or overall will be the result of this spend?
7 The route map states the reduction to 2030. However, in your first letter it seems to suggest further reductions may be required in the future. Plan to reach net zero by 2045.
What are, if any, the plans for transport after 2030 to meet your 2045 targets?
Our current main aims are to:
Make sure everyone is aware. (Something we feel should be the council’s responsibility)
Get answers on our specific questions about our concerns. (these can be found on our website including the responses thus far that don’t say much at all)
Halt the strategy until we have the answers we need. (Recognise this is halt, not stop. If people are in favour once they know the facts, then it should progress)
As part of our aim number 1, we our holding our first public meeting on the 25th August at 19:00 to 20:00, Bowhouse community centre, 130 Bowhouse Road, Grangemouth, FK3 0BQ.
You are very welcome to attend, and we hope to see some of you there.
We are doing this in a very open and transparent way. All communications and outcomes are being made public on the website and it is a lot of information.
https://www.divergentparty.com/falkirk-20-minute-neighbourhoods/the-plans
But I hope this gives you a bitesize of what we are doing and why.
Below you will also find a screen shot of the petition that has a good rating in growth strength.
This is an update from an email a few days ago on what we have done so far:
We have been distributing leaflets (20,000 so far) and done Facebook posts to try to inform people.
We started a petition, now at 502 with an aim of 1600 minimum.
We are putting together a mailing list. Separate from the petition as a core group)
We have approach venues in Falkirk to look at our first meeting end August.
We have submitted an FOI to the council around the "extensive consultation" 😂
We have asked questions, but had limited responses from the government. Even getting two letters back from the ministry for transport Scotland that didn't really say much.
We have knocked on doors to speak with people.
We are still in the process of setting up the presentation.
We will look to put this online and include a QR code in the next leaflets.
I have set up a website from a political point of view.
Thus approaching this from a bottom up and top down prospective.
All this and more.
Once the meetings end of August in person and online have taken place, we can take stock.
Next steps include.
Keep information flowing.
Organise mass emails to politicians.
Organise a demonstration and submit the petition.
We are placing a lot of time, effort and money against this and I hope you get a feel for our passion and determination to get answers.
The people of Falkirk deserve answers on this, and you have all been elected to provide those answers.
I would be more than happy to speak with any councillors and hope to meet with you soon.
Kind Regards
Mark Tunnicliff
Member of Falkirk against 20-minute neighbourhoods’ group.
