and start engaging with the public

Consultation on transport issues in York is deeply flawed (see also no. 28). It’s not good enough to ask the opinions of a self-selecting minority; we need to introduce a more effective form of public engagement. Let’s start by creating a comprehensive brief with citizens as genuine partners in the process, then running through a variety of events and activities designed to engage a very diverse range of people. This has to include children and other groups often marginalised in transport debates. Engagement should go to where people are, rather than expecting them to ’attend.’ Such events can also involve vocal, active interest groups (such as York Cycle Campaign), where their insight into issues can be appreciated but also opened up to challenge. Ideas and views must be recorded and shared so that the process of forming proposals can be understood and participants can see the role that they have played. The aim should not be extraction of views, but a process where challenging ideas are worked through and negotiated. The result will never be unanimous approval, but smarter forms of public engagement will raise the quality of public debate and lead to better outcomes.