The DfT’s shared space guidance is based on flawed research and political spin

Steve Melia, University of the West of England

02 December 2011

Dr Steve Melia is a senior lecturer in planning and transport at the University of the West of England.

The results of video analysis of pedestrian behaviour at the Elwick Square shared space in Ashford showed that most pedestrians walked round the periphery of the scheme (the red lines represent pedestrian movements)

“Modal shift to walking and cycling, improvements to public health, enhancing social capital and the economic vitality of places”. All these claims, and more, have been made for shared space. So strong is the belief in this country that shared space is good for pedestrians that Manual for Streets 2 recommends it as “more desirable” to pedestrianisation in some contexts. But are these claims justified?

The recently published Shared Space Local Transport Note (LTN 1/11)...