@MillionthUsername well said, i'm glad someone notices that free markets and shared space are just particular expressions of spontaneous order, and that government inhibits this.
But the unsafe feeling and the slowing down of the traffic is the entire point of this idea.
People will be more careful when driving around, they will be more inclined to observe their surroundings and consequently it will make the roads safer.
Councils have specific budgets to spend on roads and city planning, so it's not like money's being 'taken away' from schools/hospitals... talking about wastes, I think the Millenium Dome is a better example, not something that is trying to improve quality of life for everyone, not just speed of driving for motorists.
There are more bicycles in Cambridge or Holland and that's why it may work there,Ashford is not that close to having the 9 million Bicycles of Beijing even if some councilors would like it that way ,may be they could have it there or maybe if they like there bicycles that much go and live there .
"There are more bicycles in Cambridge or Holland and that's why it may work there"
Actually, it works because people learn how to be conscious again instead of merely following lights and signs. They also learn how to share.. to be aware of their personal environment and how to share it with others. Two things which have been missing in western culture for a long time.
@mermadeinheaven I agree. I cycle in Cambridge daily. There are shared spaces (sort of, if you call it) in Trinity Street and Market Square. Still, there are near misses from time to time as there are people cycling against one-way roads, racing against lorries, swerving in front of 30mph cars, you name it. So, the most important thing is still the road using manner.
It would have been better to spend the 12million or more pounds it has cost in Ashford on affordable housing or improving other things ,more Police on the streets ? Schools , Hospitals ect WHAT AN ABSOLUTE WASTE !
what a complete waste of money ,it has driven away customers from the center of ASHFORD costing many people there jobs (look how many shops have closed!) it has caused misery for motorists while it was built ,it has caused the whole town to be ridiculed .who is going to stand up and take the blame WHEN someone is killed ? and don't say it won't happen because it will and already did happen with another stupid idea our councils came up with , I refer to the Beaver Road Bollards!
Seperate cycle paths are much safer, especially for the next generation of cyclists: small children. Better have a look at the situation a few km's from Haren, like in Groningen or Assen where there are excellent dedicated bicycle lanes through green areas. Many times not a car in sight, what can be safer and more convenient?
Sounds great, but in reality it doesn't function as desired. I can witness to the situation in Haren (one of the quoted examples) I avoid this "shared space" by simply taking a normal road one block away. The shared space is unsafe because situations are unclear and all traffic participants are slowed down more than necessary.
great idea
renshawian 2 months ago
What a load of tosh - terrible idea.
bigupsim 1 year ago
This is just the rolling back of socialism with respect to this one
area of life. Socialism is anti-social. You can see how people interact
in a cooperative and laissez-faire way when the idiotic controls of
bureaucrats are removed. They are forced to pay attention and to
negotiate with others.
This is a microcosm of the free market where people cooperatively
negotiate the "shared space" of the economic realm without destructive
gov't intervention which brings disorder and chaos.
MillionthUsername 1 year ago 2
@MillionthUsername well said, i'm glad someone notices that free markets and shared space are just particular expressions of spontaneous order, and that government inhibits this.
goPistons06 11 months ago
I can see the idea of shared space , but in Ashford for example there are no obvious signs to warn unwary motorists of the scheme being in place.
ok they want to cut down on signs but at least warn everyone of what is going on !
wargamesanorak 1 year ago
Comment removed
wargamesanorak 1 year ago
But the unsafe feeling and the slowing down of the traffic is the entire point of this idea.
People will be more careful when driving around, they will be more inclined to observe their surroundings and consequently it will make the roads safer.
Butmunch666 1 year ago
have you got a better quality copy of this video? I am subtitling it in Italian for an initiative in my neighborhood.
editore(at)nuovamobilita(dot)org
benttour 2 years ago
If anybody has any used the Ashford shared space scheme and has any opinions regarding it please visit
ashfordsharedspace. blogspot. com
thanks alot :)
laurenjoybrown 2 years ago
I think there should be more ramps.
cyclepod1 3 years ago
Councils have specific budgets to spend on roads and city planning, so it's not like money's being 'taken away' from schools/hospitals... talking about wastes, I think the Millenium Dome is a better example, not something that is trying to improve quality of life for everyone, not just speed of driving for motorists.
AndrooUK 3 years ago
There are more bicycles in Cambridge or Holland and that's why it may work there,Ashford is not that close to having the 9 million Bicycles of Beijing even if some councilors would like it that way ,may be they could have it there or maybe if they like there bicycles that much go and live there .
ohuk 3 years ago
"There are more bicycles in Cambridge or Holland and that's why it may work there"
Actually, it works because people learn how to be conscious again instead of merely following lights and signs. They also learn how to share.. to be aware of their personal environment and how to share it with others. Two things which have been missing in western culture for a long time.
mermadeinheaven 2 years ago 8
@mermadeinheaven I agree. I cycle in Cambridge daily. There are shared spaces (sort of, if you call it) in Trinity Street and Market Square. Still, there are near misses from time to time as there are people cycling against one-way roads, racing against lorries, swerving in front of 30mph cars, you name it. So, the most important thing is still the road using manner.
StephenETavington 1 year ago
It would have been better to spend the 12million or more pounds it has cost in Ashford on affordable housing or improving other things ,more Police on the streets ? Schools , Hospitals ect WHAT AN ABSOLUTE WASTE !
ohuk 3 years ago
what a complete waste of money ,it has driven away customers from the center of ASHFORD costing many people there jobs (look how many shops have closed!) it has caused misery for motorists while it was built ,it has caused the whole town to be ridiculed .who is going to stand up and take the blame WHEN someone is killed ? and don't say it won't happen because it will and already did happen with another stupid idea our councils came up with , I refer to the Beaver Road Bollards!
ohuk 3 years ago
So people aren't killed in non-shared spaces?
AndrooUK 3 years ago
Seperate cycle paths are much safer, especially for the next generation of cyclists: small children. Better have a look at the situation a few km's from Haren, like in Groningen or Assen where there are excellent dedicated bicycle lanes through green areas. Many times not a car in sight, what can be safer and more convenient?
twilwel 3 years ago
Sounds great, but in reality it doesn't function as desired. I can witness to the situation in Haren (one of the quoted examples) I avoid this "shared space" by simply taking a normal road one block away. The shared space is unsafe because situations are unclear and all traffic participants are slowed down more than necessary.
twilwel 3 years ago
A great concept. I wish it would gain popularity.
ndydck 4 years ago 12