I’m sure you’ve been there before. You’re walking outside, enjoying your day, until you get stuck behind wandering tourists or window shoppers. You may even be stuck behind someone staring at their phones as they walk. If you ever make it to England, you may never have to worry about this problem again.

England’s first ever fast pedestrian lane has opened in the city’s St John’s Street around the hectic Liverpool One shopping center. This comes after research claims 47% of the nation finds slow walking the most annoying aspect of high-street shopping. The hope is that it will reduce frustration for consumers and pedestrians and improve the experience in the shopping center.

However, it seems the idea of fast lanes is more popular with younger crowds and not as much with the elderly. 69% of the 16 to 24 year olds surveyed were in favor of fast lanes, while only 37% of over-55s supported the plan.

The most popular reason for supporting the lanes was to avoid wasting time, with 31 percent of shoppers saying they were annoyed by people blocking the pavement.

People checking phones was also a frustration for 18 percent of those surveyed.

MP’s Take: Within a few months, the country should have a much better understanding of how effective these fast-walking lanes are and if it will work elsewhere. I think it’s a great way to promote mindfulness and being in the moment. Instead of people being absorbed by phones and technology as they walk, they can appreciate the outdoors and actually focus on getting places and what they are doing.

 
Source

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/liverpool-becomes-the-first-city-to-open-fast-walking-lanes-a6719766.html