The Big Debate October 2014: 'Business would be better in Brighton if we took cars out of the city centre'

How would the absence of cars in the heart of our city affect our lives – and our livelihoods? Would our businesses be better or worse off if the centre of Brighton were a car-free zone? Our Big Debate will give you the chance to share your views on this hot topic, so if you’ve got an opinion, come along to City College Brighton & Hove on Wednesday 22 October, 6.00 – 8.00pm and make your voice heard. To give you some food - or fuel - for thought, take a look at what our four ‘points of view’ speakers think:

 “Considering the banning of cars from Brighton city centre ignores the bigger picture and the real question… There are of course obvious objections to the banning of cars: the elderly and less able-bodied individuals need access, the businesses in the city need delivery access, emergency services need constant access. Would taxis be an exception?

The likelihood of a blanket ban on all cars would be near impossible to enforce. Would all the taxi companies be barred? How would it affect our tourist industry with our attractions visited by customers from more distant parts travelling by car?  Regardless, however, of these obvious points, focussing on the banning of cars ignores the bigger picture. This narrow focus liberates those in charge of the city of the onus to improve city planning and offer safer, more environmentally friendly alternatives, which would ultimately decrease the unnecessary use of cars in city centres.”

Anne Martin - General Manager, Brighton Pier

“Without doubt, the invention of the motorcar has been one of the most important for the modern-era progression of humanity. Made possible by the ‘success’ of free-market economies around the world, this mode of transport’s rapid growth in popularity throughout the 20th century was down to a desire for liberation and exploration. Historically, the motorcar is a symbol of freedom, of wealth and of power of self.

Today, the motorcar is a convenient necessity. Whilst remaining a status symbol in some circles, its main uses are practical: to get to the supermarket, visit relatives, and commute to work. It has shaped British towns and landscapes, made nothing inaccessible. The car makes life easy for all - for some vulnerable groups it can be a lifeline.

But do we have an unhealthy relationship with the car? Millions of tonnes of fossil fuels have been burnt, clogging up our town centres with particulate-exhaling metal machines. It is the preferred mode of transport for the British population and has contributed to obesity, road-rage, parking-rage, cyclist-rage and drink-driving. 2% of all deaths worldwide are from road traffic accidents.

If cars were banned in our city centre, it would reduce pollution, make our streets safer and quieter, help people lead healthier lives and promote a local economy for local people. It would also reduce visitor numbers, reduce freedom of movement and reduce freedom of choice. Overnight, life would be made harder for thousands of people, at least temporarily.

People would have to find a new way of living; for some it would mean drastic changes to their liberty and lifestyle. Whether this is a cost or a benefit is down to people’s preferences, but there is no doubt vast amounts of bottom-up effort in terms of changing behaviours and much top-down work on the economics and logistics of car ownership has to be done before Brighton citizens will accept any ban on cars lying down. Certainly we need to reduce the reliance. But first, can we please talk about parking?”

Anthony Probert – Brighton Region Manager, BioRegional

“We live in an era when independent travel is almost regarded as a right. While this city may be better served by public transport than some others of a similar size, it still cannot cater for all.  Many workers who come from outside the city see little alternative to using the car. We have limited parking in front of our office and it is used constantly by clients from within and without the city. Staff who drive make the best of it in the local car parks. While it can be expensive they do so because they see little alternative.

It is not viable to declare the city centre a car-free zone. Efforts could be made to encourage a reduction in pollution but, while so many people rely on their own four wheels to get around, cutting out the car would be the equivalent of the city cutting its own throat.”

Martin Williams - Partner, Mayo Wynne Baxter

“Should we take cars out of the city centre? If we were looking to design a city from scratch then I think the answer would be yes.  Maybe not everywhere, but certainly in our public spaces and at the heart of local communities.  Evidence shows that investing in walking and cycling routes into town centres is one of the best ways of increasing patronage and takings. People might not buy as much in one go, but over the course of a week or month they tend to spend more.

It also leads to a fitter and happier workforce, reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity. Streets become more sociable, encouraging more people to stop and spend more money, resulting in an uplift in commercial value, as seen in New York. 

Link this together with an efficient public transport network, which makes far better use of scarce road space, and a city can exist without the congestion and over-dominance of the car. It becomes a more sociable and equitable place to live, attractive to investors and employers.

It’s time we had some real vision for Brighton that puts people before cars, improves our quality of life and strengthens the local economy.”

Chris Todd – Planning and Transport Campaigner, Brighton and Hove Friends of the Earth

• Visit our event page here to find out more and book your free ticket.

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk