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Green Man should leave longer so elderly can cross the road, NHS says

Nice said councils should ensure those with limited mobility can get out and about  - Newsteam
Nice said councils should ensure those with limited mobility can get out and about - Newsteam

Traffic lights should be altered so the “Green Man” leaves longer for elderly people longer to cross the road, NHS guidance suggests.

Councils should make such changes if they are needed to ensure older people, the disabled and parents with prams can get out and about, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said.

The draft guidance says councils should also ensure that bins, street furniture, hanging baskets and parked cars do not obstruct those with mobility problems.

Older people and others with limited mobility may find it difficult to cross the road in the time allowed by crossing signals

Nice draft guidelines

And it says councils need to do more to ensure footpaths are well maintained, tackling, pot-holes or broken paving slabs.

The guideline states: "The environment can make it difficult for some groups to be active.  For example, older people and others with limited mobility may find it difficult to cross the road in the time allowed by crossing signals."

Professor Mark Baker, director of the centre for guidelines at Nice, said: "The guideline outlines ways to overcome barriers to people being more active by making public spaces attractive, easy to get to and safe.

"It should not matter whether you are on foot, in a wheelchair, have a visual impairment or if you're a parent pushing a pram. If streets, parks and other open spaces are well planned, everyone should be able to get around their local area easily.

buggies 
Councils should ensure accessible streets for those with prams and buggies, Nice said

"Safe, accessible streets and well maintained parks can help people to get active and live longer, healthier lives."

Research has found that most people over the age of 65 walk far slower than the estimate of 1.2 metres per second which forms the basis for crossings.

On average men over the age of 65 walk at 0.9m/s and women move at 0.8m/s, meaning around 7.5 million elderly people do not have enough time to cross the road safely, the  University College London research found.

Dr Justin Varney, national lead for physical activity at Public Health England, added: "Physical activity benefits everyone at all stages of life.

"People living with impairments are less active, and this can be due to the way the built environment, including public spaces and transport systems, is designed.

"Making physical activity accessible to everyone when planning spaces benefits communities in terms of health, environmental sustainability and economic regeneration."