Dear Signatories,
So just over 24 hours til the final decision making meeting looking at the Active travel infrastructure on Pinstone Street. Scheduled at 1pm on Tuesday 26th October. I have been asked to submit the petition in person but will be in clinical practice therefore the letter below will be read out. Thank you to everyone who made a comment, they are all valuable. I have quoted a selection that seem to serve the narrative of health benefits of active travel most clearly.
last week I met with Pete Zanzottera. He and Sarah Storey the Active travel commissioner are extremely frustrated with Sheffield City Council, especially it’s leader Cllr Terry Fox. Pete and Sarah have worked hard to get the best deal for the Sheffield City Region and in his words he thinks ‘they have played a blinder’ and millions of pounds of investment will be coming to the city via the Active Travel Fund ( and other mechanisms I dont really understand!) but this pot of money which benefits not only walking and cycling but also future investment for example in Supettram will be less accessible and of considerably less if city centre progress is lost. It’s not just about a small section of road being open to buses, other future investment is in jeopardy. Pete has worked in London when Johnson was mayor on Active travel consultancy, as well as Sydney & New York. We have the best possible chance to have an excellent, modern, safe and healthy city scene with him and Sarah negotiating.
It’s hard hats on time, this petition has already received attention at city level and I am optiomistic for national recognition too. We all need to show our vocal support for active travel right now to play a part in Sheffield living up to its potential as the Outdoor City for all.
Best wishes Jo
Dear Council Committee,
I am sorry I cannot come into the meeting in person with the above open/letter petition, i am in clinical practice today.
This letter was created after looking at how active travel schemes across the country have floundered and infrastructure put in place has been removed. I worry Sheffield is in a similar position, potentially losing millions of pounds future investment which could help generations of Sheffielders improve their health by experiencing better air quality across the city, not just in the city centre.
This is prevention in practice, if we do not pay attention to clean air now, our children and grandchildren have the most to lose. Air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to health in the UK, with between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths a year attributed to long-term exposure. There is strong evidence that air pollution causes the development of coronary heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and lung cancer, and exacerbates asthma. This disproportionately affects the most vulnerable in our society and those living in poverty. When we look around the city centre we have to remember al those people who are NOT able to be there, as well as those that are.
Other cities around the world have found ways to make pedestrianised areas accessible for all, no matter what their mobility needs. I am not a town planner, this is not my concern.
As a GP in North Sheffield for over 20 years what is my concern is patient health. Sheffield has a higher than average percentage of people with coronary heart & respiratory disease overall. In some areas of the city it is more than twice the national average. Again this does not account for all those with ill health we don’t know count, rates of heart and lung disease are probably under estimated.
In the surgery I have asked other professionals working in health and social care who like me, see the sufferers of ill health and disease across Sheffield to sign the petition to retain space for walking and cycling. In the comments section you can see there are over 60 useful responses.
For example Dr Claire Cruishanks Consultant Anaesthetist who says ‘ I’m an anaesthetist and every day I see patients who are not physically active enough. We need to redesign our cities in to support wellness, connection and activity. Please provide Sheffielders with the city they deserve, one that allows them to thrive.’
Dr Alison Hobbs, GP partner at Forge Medical Group, Pitsmoor says ‘ I’m a GP in the city. We desperately need to promote activity not make it harder’
Dr Gail Coskery GP partner at Wincobank Medical Centre says ‘ I am a GP and I believe it is very important to create safe spaces for people to walk and cycle to promote their health and to benefit the environment.’
Dr Jez Macole GP Partner at Gleadless Medical Centre says ‘ I am a health care professional responsible for promoting active travel to reduce the complications of chronic diseases.’
Dr Thomas Lawy GP White House Surgery, Manor Top says ‘ I am a GP in the city and think active transport is essential for the health of the population and the planet’
Dr Susie Lupton GP partner Norwood Surgery Shirecliffe says ‘ I m signing because of the health and environmental benefits’
Dr Ollie Hart GP Parter Sloan Medical Centre Heeley says ‘ Active travel and priority for people to live safely is crucial fir the health and economy of our city’ Dr Rachel Savage of Sloan MC says ‘ Staying active is so important for our health and the proposed moves jepodise safe active travel in the city centre’ Dr Margaret Duncan also Sloan MC says ‘I cycle around Sheffield. It’s so important for the health and well-being of our citizens’
I therefore ask that the committee takes into account the health implications of reversing active travel measures introduced in the City centre for Sheffield citizens health and wellbeing now and in the future
Yours sincerely,
Dr Jo Maher GP partner
Wincobank Medical Centre.