Ban and stop the “15 minute cities” initiative in the UK

Ban the “15 minute cities” initiative which is happening in places such as Oxford immediately and stop all councils immediately from implementing such schemes for which there is no national mandate.

We believe the initiative is a restriction on individual freedom of movement & restricts people’s ability to choose where they live, work or travel, contravening both the Human Rights Act & ECHR (primarily through Article 2 of Protocol #4) which guarantees the right to move freely & choose their residence in the territory they live in, ensuring that individuals can live, work & travel domestically without arbitrary restriction. In our view there are no valid or proven reasons for this initiative to go ahead.

The 15-minute cities concept is not national policy. The Government does not direct places to use the 15-minute city concept.

The term ‘15-minute city’ has become incorrectly associated with traffic management measures such as low-traffic neighbourhoods. Low-traffic neighbourhoods aim to restrict through traffic, or rat-running, from an area but do not prevent vehicle access to any premises within the area. Access by car may require an alternative route. These types of schemes do not seek to restrict people’s ability to travel in the way claimed.

Local authorities are able to develop planning and transport initiatives, including traffic management measures, to benefit residents and businesses, on which local people are able to give their views in response to consultations. Local authorities are not able to limit residents’ ability to travel in ways which contravene Human Rights. They can however encourage more sustainable / active travel and better access to local services.

Under long standing devolved arrangements, local highway authorities are free to make their own decisions about the design of the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. They are responsible for ensuring that their actions are within the law and are accountable to local people for their decisions and their performance. Local councillors are responsible for ensuring that local decisions about street infrastructure take account of the needs and opinions of local people.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) set out the Government’s planning policies for England. The NPPF is clear that transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, using a vision-led approach to identify transport solutions that deliver well-designed, sustainable and popular places. This should involve identifying and pursuing opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport. It also sets out that local planning policies and decisions should aim to promote social interaction, for example, through ensuring a mix of development types, strong neighbourhood centres, street layouts allowing for easy cycle and pedestrian connections and active street frontages

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government