The idea has been kicking around since at least December 2000; introduce fast walking lanes so those that dawdle don’t get in the way of those that want to stride.
We’ve even included the idea in our Manifesto for London, but now it seems the idea could be a little closer to reality as a shopping centre in Liverpool has introduced the nation’s first such lanes.
The lanes are being trialled in the Liverpool One shopping centre from 2-8 November, following research commissioned by Argos showing that the top three shopping bugbears are pavement hoggers, dawdling pedestrians and battling through crowds.
All three of these problems can be found on London’s Oxford Street in abundance and despite the idea smacking of a PR stunt (the announcement goes hand-in-hand with Argos introducing fast-track lanes in their stores), the idea could well be sounded once again if feedback is good. How you remove or sanction non fast-walkers using the lanes, or what the appropriate level of fast walking speed has yet to be announced.
