15 minute cities - why the rush?

Green dreams will become a nightmare for ordinary people

- DAVID PUGH

THINGS happen around us with extraordinary rapidity, and over which we seem to have no control.

I fear that I am unlikely to be one of the ‘make things happen’ brigade; more of the ‘what the hell happened?’ one. But, slowly the blinds are being drawn open, and I am joining the ‘wondering what’s happening’ band of concerned folk.

I have been having interesting conversations with our local community leaders who are, in the main, for-profit, unitary authority, private, corporate employees claiming to be helping us.

I baulk a little at the word ‘represent’, because I believe that I can present myself and don’t need any help from a private, for-profit, unitary authority that claims some sort of jurisdiction.

Our conversation with our unitary authority was about the implementation of their 15 minute city scheme, endorsed by our leading councillor.

We are allegedly all very happy about the implementation of the COP 26 agenda according to him, and the uber-green initiative he so ardently supports.

I fear he may be talking for himself rather than people like the residents of Bath and Bristol who have had a 15 minute city trial initiative imposed upon them, which has outraged locals, caused business closures and much more.