South: Urban blight

Chrissy Sturt Researcher, Politics Show South

Politics Show South investigates the urban underbelly of the South. From tarmac towns to cemented cities, how can we improve our urban environment?

Public spaces are covered in concrete or paving stones

Much of our townscape is dirty, polluted and badly planned.

Cities are becoming flat, bush less, benchless, corralled waterless deserts according to the Urban Design Alliance.

There is a growing bulk of evidence to show public spaces are crammed with road signs, cluttered with safety rails and covered in unsightly concrete.

Living Streets is just one organization striving to give a voice to the hapless pedestrian.

The campaigners believe allowing the car to come first has for years overwhelmed and degraded our urban life.

They argue vibrant streets, where people walk with confidence and ease, will revitalize neighbourhoods and reconnect people.

Reading exemplifies

Politics Show South accompanies Tom Franklin, director of Living Streets, on a tour through Reading.

He catalogues the street furniture and clutter, so-called 'urban junk', which make a simple journey by foot hazardous and unpleasant.

"When you are in a car, you miss all the detail of the streets.

"It is when you're on foot you have time to notice," he said.

"I am passionate about the state of our streets," he told Politics Show South.

"For years the emphasis has been on moving cars through faster and further, rather than our streets as meeting places."

It is a sentiment echoed by Portsmouth South MP, Mike Hancock. He said;

You would have to be a member of the SAS to get across some streets in Portsmouth without falling into something we've put in, a sign, post or unused rubbish bin.

We should remove a huge amount and return to the basics.

People want their streets to be spacious, clean and safe and the more obstacles in a street the harder it becomes to achieve this.

Community fights back

Some communities are fighting back, determined to improve life at street level.

Portsmouth Society member Bob Adderley is on a mission to rid Portsmouth pavements of what he denounces as ugly, overweening, unnecessary street signs.

He claims more than 300 signs, designed to draw car cruising tourists to the city's highlights, are taking over walkways and cycle paths .

We also profile the Waterloo Community Group's fight to reclaim a derelict BP refuelling depot in Salisbury.

Contrary to its lifeless appearance, this swathe of concrete is actually incredibly precious, a rare empty space within a tightly packed residential area.

For the residents, its moribund state is one of the worst examples of wasted space in the country.

Local campaigner Gavin Payne says finding out who owns the land has been the major obstacle.

With proper planning the site could be a great area.

"What we need is open spaces for all residents to enjoy.

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