Here’s to Cleaner Air and Better Health, with This Low-Traffic Neighborhood Plan

Birmingham is working on a plan to curb pollution and emissions, combat poor health, and reduce congestion: the UK’s second-largest city aims to ensure low traffic with initiatives to close roads, remove parking spaces, introduce new zero-emission buses and create more cycleways.

Speaking on the subject, Birmingham’s transport plan stated that the “allocation of road space will change away from prioritizing private cars to support the delivery of public transport and active travel networks fit for a global city.” The plan overall will help encourage people to use cleaner and healthier forms of transportation. 

Following the footsteps of other major cities such as Barcelona, Paris, and Amsterdam, the new Birmingham will consist of one major ring road on the perimeter of the city, with only seven driving zones within the ring. The roads that remain will be used for either public transport or for the creation of safe cycle lanes and walk paths. The low-traffic plan is expected to allow the city to grow and prosper while simultaneously aiding in the fight against climate change.