{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/5e8ee3bc4fc261fc3fd48a9a/67d1a1c72649312dd5cbac5a?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"55 years of campaigning for walking","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/5e8ee3bc4fc261fc3fd48a9a/1741791272573-46deef0d-51dc-48cf-a313-8ff51bccc2f5.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p><a href=\"https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/blog/terence-bendixsons-plea-for-walking/ \" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Terence Bendixson</a> was the Guardian's planning correspondent in the 1960s when he wrote a piece that propelled him into walking campaigning. In 1969 he joined Living Streets (then the Pedestrians' Association) when he and its founder hit it off.</p><p><br></p><p>Foley, a London-based journalist, <a href=\"https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/parking-review/news/61348/taking-steps-in-the-right-direction/ \" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">founded the Pedestrians Association in 1929</a>, when motor vehicles were proliferating; he was concerned about the dangers they posed. In 1939 Evelyn Waugh described Piccadilly Circus as <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/06/london-is-europes-most-congested-city-with-drivers-sat-in-traffic-an-average-101-hours-last-year#:~:text=The%20capital%20has%20been%20renowned,photograph%2C%20broken%20and%20undisturbed%E2%80%9D.\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">'still as a photograph, broken and undisturbed'</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>In its early years the charity shaped road safety law, including the introduction of the first Highway Code and the driving test, 30mph speed limits and pedestrian crossings. Post-war 'The Peds' were involved in the first zebra crossings and the new offence of drink driving <a href=\"https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/parking-review/news/61348/taking-steps-in-the-right-direction/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">As TransportXtra reports</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>Terence Bendixson was part of the hugely successful Homes before Roads movement, as told by Steve Chambers, of Transport for New Homes <a href=\"https://planningtransport.co.uk/2020-03-08-homes-before-roads.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://planningtransport.co.uk/2020-03-08-homes-before-roads.html</a>. <a href=\"https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9780140219524/Cars-Pelican-S-Bendixson-Terence-0140219528/plp \" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Bendixson's book, Instead of Cars</a>, is 50 this year:</p><p><br></p><p>On <a href=\" https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/pavement-parking/;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Living Streets’ pavement parking campaign</a>; on <a href=\"https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/press-media/catherine-woodhead-appointed-chief-executive-of-living-streets/ \" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">CEO Catherine Woodhead being appointed</a> in April 2024.</p><p><br></p><p>Ben Plowden joined in the late 90s; he and Bendixson applied to the Esmee Fairburn Trust for £69,000, which paid for premises, staff and a rebrand. <a href=\"https://www.transport-network.co.uk/Plowden-in-for-Tuohy-at-CfBT/19412 \" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Plowden became CEO of CPRE in 2025</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>Dr Amit Patel: <a href=\"https://www.dramit.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.dramit.uk/</a>; On <a href=\"https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/gallery/pictures-rise-fall-belgrave-flyover-1950770\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">removal of the Leicester flyover </a>.</p><p><br></p><p>For ad-free listening, behind-the-scenes and bonus content and to help support the podcast - head to (<a href=\"https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast</a>). We’ll even send you some stickers!&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>We’re also on Bluesky and welcome your feedback on our episode:&nbsp;https://bsky.app/profile/podstreetsahead.bsky.social</p>","author_name":"Streets Ahead Podcast"}