Understanding the evolution of community severance and its consequences on mobility and social cohesion over the past century

Abstract

This paper introduces the historical background and evolution of the concept of community severance and its consequences. It examines lessons learnt from implementing mitigation measures (for example underpasses and footbridges) and ways in which accessibility planning guidance can benefit from a historical perspective to ensure that mitigation strategies alleviate, and not exacerbate, the symptoms of community severance, for a more inclusive society. Community severance in the UK transport assessment system is defined as: “The separation of residents from facilities and services they use within their community caused by new or improved roads or by changes in traffic flows” (Highways Agency, 1993). However, research has indicated that the concept of community severance is much more multifaceted than the division of people from services. Community severance displays a complex range of impacts, from the psychological effects of traffic, the effects that traffic can have on quality of life and social cohesiveness, through to links to accessibility planning, planning for disabled people and wider links to mobility and social exclusion.