A Walking Street
I was recently invited, as a guest from Brighton Pride parade, to Manchester Pride, where I won the ‘best individual entry’ prize and spoke to 3,000 people at their HIV candlelight vigil. I was very impressed with pedestrian Canal Street. In Thailand, where we spend the worst of the English winter, they too have a ‘walking street’ which is always full of ‘walkers’.
Why then can’t we have a part of St. James’ Street – say, from Madeira Place to the gay memorial in the New Steine, more if possible, free from buses and most cars, as a designated ‘walking street’?
Now that Edward Street is being made more ‘bus friendly’, there should be no need for buses to us St James Street; especially at up to 30mph and with such narrow pavements in places. How about a limit, allowing deliveries, taxis, car parking for shopping with a cap at 10mph and pedestrians having priority? I think more people would walk there and that it would be so much better for Kemptown’s wonderful shops.
George Montague is a resident of Kemptown. Read his book, ‘The Oldest Gay In The Village’ – email editor@kemptownrag.co.uk for details.
