Essay - January 25

 

In some countries, private cars are now banned from certain city centres. What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a system? Do you feel that this is something that most cities should adopt?

Banning cars from city centres is a recent trend, and it can be seen in plenty of cities around the world. Certain benefits and drawbacks immediately spring to mind when considering this step that city councils are taking.

The merits are apparent. With the advent of the motorised era, city centres have always been areas where air quality is poor due to carbon emissions, which in turn affects people's health. City centres become quieter and safer for people to wander around shopping and enjoying themselves. Access to city centres can still be good, as it is usually only private vehicles that are banned, and buses and taxis can still take people in and out of the city centre areas. Many towns also operate a park-and-ride scheme, so people can leave their cars in safe car parks on the outskirts of cities and travel with a dedicated bus service to the city centres. Hence, it would seem hard to criticise this kind of scheme.

There are critics though to the scheme of banning cars in city centres. City centre shopkeepers have often been vocal opponents, as they believe that fewer people will come to the city centres and therefore their incomes will be affected. The general public also sometimes objects, as people often like to travel in their private vehicles. People like shopping and socialising in city centres and they just adapt to the situation. As a result, banning cars will not affect the count of people visiting these areas. There is no answer to people who want to drive their cars. They hopefully will just realise that the sacrifice of not driving their cars is outweighed by the health and lifestyle improvements of a cleaner and quieter city centre. In brief, people will walk more than those who use their vehicles towards the city centre and this walking would be beneficial for overall health.  

In conclusion, there are far more advantages to banning cars from city centres than allowing them. It is therefore a measure that most city centres should adopt for their citizens.