squizzler
Established Member
Milton Keynes is an interesting experiment, but cannot really be considered a practical template for the rest of us, either in retrofit or new build cities. The population density and land take is impractical for a crowded island like the UK. This is not only ecologically unsustainable, but does not support what most people would regard as the main benefits of an urban lifestyle with vibrant street life, independent coffee shops and the rest.There is nowhere in the UK as motor-centric as Milton Keynes, and it has a very low rate and has had throughout. So I think you will have to rethink that.
Nonetheless, you suggest MK has been relatively successful in containing the virus, and provides an opportunity to work out what worked for them and adapt it into other cities. As you well know, MK has an excellent "Redway" system for dynamic forms of travel, and lots of green space, and air quality is decent due to (high) emissions being dispersed over a large area. I suggest it is those things which improved your outcomes rather than being able to boast a high level of participation in motoring. The rest of the country is indeed learning from this, with various attempts being made to fit similar active travel, better air quality and green spaces into traditional cities.
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