The Bradford on Avon Historic Core Zone has been voted against by the people of the town in a Parish Poll that took place last week. It seems straightforward: they didn’t want the transformation of the town centre into a more pedestrian-friendly place. This to the outsider must seem strange.

However, there is a likely explanation. The trouble is that Bradford on Avon has one of the highest proportions of elderly people in the county. When these and other people who use the town centre discovered that two pedestrian crossings were to go as part of the scheme, they were naturally concerned. A 1,000-signature petition was apparently presented to Wiltshire Council last year asking for the crossings to stay. The concept of courtesy crossings, which are designed to ‘encourage’ motorists to give way if someone wants to cross the road, didn’t appeal.

The rejection of the scheme must surely be mostly about the crossings. Bradford people are not alone in being worried about disappearing zebras. In some other towns where the ‘shared space’ idea has been implemented, similar to that proposed for Bradford, pedestrian crossings have had to be put back because motorists and pedestrians were confused about who had priority.

Wiltshire Council and others have done some really good work, but the removal of the zebra crossings seems to be truly unpopular. Surely the best way forward is now for the local authority and Bradford people to work with a consultant to see how a Historic Core Zone can be adjusted so that zebra crossings are part of the scheme.

Jenny Raggett, Campaign for Better Transport, Bristol and Bath Travel To Work Area.