Would BCP Council ever become a 15-minute city?

The controversial idea, first thought of by a French academic, sees adoptive cities or towns have all amenities, such as parks and food shops, within a 15-minute walk and cycle journey. 

But the scheme has caused a lot of controversy, especially in Oxford, where from next year residents will be able to drive freely around their own neighbourhoods, but will receive a £70 fine for leaving their zone via a modal filter.

 15-minute cities would see more cyclists (Image: Daily Echo)

Cllr Mike Greene, BCP Council portfolio holder for transport and sustainability, has ruled out the conurbation adopting the 15-minute city scheme. 

He said: “While the concept may sound appealing in some ways, the infrastructure is not there to support it and is highly unlikely to be for a long period of time.   

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“Our approach is framed by the motto of our Transforming Travel work: “Your travel; your choice”, where we try to provide the conditions where residents and visitors have the opportunity to travel quickly and safely by cycle, foot or public transport rather than using a car.  

BCP transport chief Cllr Mike Greene (Image: BCP Council)

“This contrasts strongly with other approaches, which actively concentrate on ways to discourage those who want to drive."

Sir Robert Syms, MP for Poole, said 15-minute cities are for people who “hate cars”, adding: “I totally oppose it. 

“We seem to have got to a situation where it is getting very difficult for ordinary motorists to go about their day, many of whom have to pick kids up from school or to go to work. 

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“This is fine if you’re not a busy person. 

“The observation I have from what has gone on in Oxford is that it isn’t working very well and there is a lot of resistance to it. 

“I wouldn’t want it to be implemented anywhere in BCP Council.” 

Drivers in Oxford could face fines for leaving their area (Image: Daily Echo)

Lucie Allen, chair of the BH Active Travel group, supports the idea of a 15-minute city.

She said: “Poole is pretty much already a 15-minute neighbourhood.  

“The supermarket, shops, local pool, gym, hospital, doctors, dentist, post office, play park and our office are all within a 20-minute cycle ride away with most of it also walkable. 

“BCP is a little different to the other ‘cities’ who are considering the concept (Oxford, Bristol, Birmingham, Canterbury, Sheffield) as we have three town centres.  

“However, with continued planning policy for mixed use, increased housing density in previously traditional retail areas (such as Bournemouth town centre) and continued improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure and better public transport, there is no reason why residents of BCP shouldn’t have amenities close to their homes.  

“This in turn will reduce congestion, improve carbon emissions and create more pleasant, liveable neighbourhoods.”