Calls for Shropshire Council to bid for funding to make Shrewsbury one of 12 “Mini-Holland” towns

In 2014, three outer London boroughs with low levels of cycling were chosen through competition as “Mini-Hollands,” with intensive, transformational spending on their roads and streetscapes to make them, over time, as cycle and pedestrian-friendly as their Dutch equivalents. Segregated lanes were installed on main roads, low-traffic neighbourhoods were put in, and pedestrians were given thousands of metres of extra space.

In the first of the areas treated, cycling increased by 18 per cent and walking by 13 per cent in a single year. Vacancy rates for retailers on the first of the shopping streets to be made low-traffic streets are the lowest they have ever been, according to the council, and trade on those streets has significantly increased. Nor did congestion rise, because the changes allowed many people who had previously driven very short journeys to walk or cycle instead.

In September 2020, Shropshire Council unanimously back the new national walking and cycling vision: “Gear Change”. This announced that 12 willing non-London local authority areas would be selected, to benefit from intensive investment in mini-Holland schemes on the same model. The main focus will be on replacing short car trips. They must be places where cycling is currently low and where there is serious political commitment to dramatic change – not just for cyclists, but for everyone who lives and works there. This competition has now been launched by the Government.

Cllr Rob Wilson who is proposing the motion to Shrewsbury Town Council said: “Shrewsbury prides itself on being the original one off. Many towns across northern Europe have already taken this approach and are thriving as a result. Waltham Forest in London is already benefitting from being one of the original Mini-Hollands in London. Shrewsbury has the opportunity to be the first complete urban area in the UK to adopt this approach – a true original!”

The “Mini-Holland” approach aligns almost perfectly with the aspirations of Shrewsbury’s Big Town Plan which says “We want to make it much better for the pedestrian and cyclist. This means shifting the balance of priority given to movement across the town from the private car to walking and cycling and greater use of rail and bus.”

It is accepted that Making Movement Better is the key to unlocking the other aspects of the Big Town Plan, Mini-Holland funding from the Government would kickstart the Big Town Plan!

Shropshire Council was also one of the first local authorities in the country to say that it would embed the new cycling design standards known as LTN 1/20 into its policies thanks to a cross party motion – this demonstrates how committed Shropshire Council is to enabling higher levels of cycling. The Secretary of State for Transport has stated that 50% urban journeys should be walked or cycled by 2030.

It is a well known fact that The Netherlands is best place to ride a bike, but it is also the best place to drive a car because only those who need to are using the roads.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr David Vasmer said: “Through the pandemic, we have glimpsed a different future. One where we appreciate our neighbourhoods, our green space and our local shops. This proposal is good for the our communities, the environment and the economy. The Government is looking for 12 willing Local Authorities to adopt the Mini-Holland approach – I say that Shrewsbury is ready, willing and able!”