WITH Covid-19 cases on the rise again, I think the whole country is unified in doing their bit to ensure we don’t enter another lockdown.

However, one thing the quiet roads of the Covid-19 lockdown taught us was just how congested and polluted our neighbourhoods are.

With traffic levels shooting up again and public transport capacity limited, all credit to the local council for quickly developing low traffic neighbourhoods to tackle rat running traffic.

The congestion we had pre-lockdown and what we are rapidly returning to is only likely to get worse unless we see significantly more people choosing to leave the car at home when its use isn’t absolutely necessary, and to cycle and walk instead. Again, we must give credit to the council for doing their bit to make this happen, with new pop-up cycle lanes creating safe space.

If developed into a comprehensive network of safe cycling space, all the evidence is there that people will get on their bikes – and that means fewer people in their cars, freeing up the roads for those who have no other choice than to use a car.

The schemes may not be perfect – undoubtedly there’s room to learn from what’s worked and what hasn’t and to adapt accordingly.

However, if we want safer, healthier communities, we must avoid shooting these schemes down with knee jerk reactions, and instead look to what can be improved.

The vocal minority must not be allowed to bully the council into reversing these changes, we must all make our voices heard.

Of course, we should flag up legitimate concerns, but we should do so constructively, recognising the importance of positive change on our streets to create neighbourhoods which work for everyone.

Let’s embrace this positive change on our streets – it’s the only way we’ll avoid crippling congestion and pollution.

N SMITH

Strouden Park, Bournemouth