15 minute cities 'don't exist': DfT official describes struggle to 'move past politics'

06/10/2023 | CHRIS AMES

Civil servants are battling to explain to ministers that concepts like ’15-minute cities’, said to restrict people’s ability to go shopping, ‘don’t really exist’, a top Department for Transport (DfT) official has revealed.

Ministers have recently announced plans to push back against local authority road safety and traffic reduction measures, including the launch of the DfT’s new Plan for Drivers, billed as ‘a new 30-point plan to support people’s freedom to use their cars and curb over-zealous enforcement measures’.

The DfT described ‘so called 15-minute cities’ as an example of ‘schemes which aggressively restrict where people can drive’ and said the Government aimed to stop councils from implementing them.

It cited Oxford as somewhere the concept had been introduced. The city council has floated the idea – as a planning policy that seeks to provide amenities locally – however, it is not clear this is behind any of the traffic restrictions implemented by Oxfordshire County Council.

On Monday, transport secretary Mark Harper told the Conservative Party that ‘what we shouldn’t tolerate is the idea that local councils can decide how often you go to the shops’.

However, speaking at the ADEPT National Traffic Managers’ Conference on Thursday, Anthony Ferguson, head of traffic and technology at the DfT, said that while some elements of the Plan for Drivers were a continuation of existing work, the most ‘acutely political’ elements such as the review of low traffic neighbourhoods presented a ‘bigger challenge’.

He said: ‘There is a danger it is so political that we’re finding it difficult to get back down to a review of a thing that you do, which is a traffic management restriction.

‘And one point we have been trying to make to ministers and be as clear as we can is that a low traffic neighbourhood is not actually really a thing. It's just a title. We need to get down to the specifics of what we actually mean.’

He added: 'I think this even more so if you read the couple of paragraphs in there about 15-minute cities, because that's really an even more extreme version of something that doesn't really exist.’

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Structures Delivery Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We’re looking for an experienced and motivated Structures Delivery Manager to lead the delivery of structural asset investment Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Head of Highway Operations

Grade 15 £61,048 - £66,960 per annum (Pay award pending)
Here at Derbyshire County Council, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2090e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Maintenance Team as Highways Network Technician. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW