Devizes residents have voted on what they want in their green town of the future and the clear message from almost 70 per cent of young people is – “stop wrapping our food in plastic and stop selling us drinks in throwaway plastic bottles”.
The public’s response to the town council’s sustainable community survey reveals that the number one wish across all generations is a reduction of single use plastic items like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.
In support of the town council’s adoption of a “Statement of Intent to Create a Sustainable Community”, its sustainability working group decided that it was necessary to consult with the community to determine their priorities, which will now form a frame for the development of a vision for Devizes area in 2030.
The survey offered a choice of 13 sustainability priorities of which participants could choose up to five. The council says the response from 568 residents was “beyond expectations”.
The top 5 priorities selected were: 1. Reducing single use plastic. 2. Improve cycling and walking infrastructure. 3. More re-wilding. 4. Reduce traffic in the town. 5. Tree planting.
The call for a less-plastic future is loudest among the young of the town and, according to the poll results, has least support among the oldest demographic.
Top five priorities of the under-24-year-olds are: Reduce single use plastic [67 per cent], trees planting [48 per cent], re-wilding [47 per cent], packaging reduction in local shops [46 per cent], and traffic reduction [45 per cent].
The priorities of 25–44-year-olds are: Walking and cycling infrastructure [55 per cent], traffic reduction [51 per cent], re-wilding [50 per cent], reduce single use plastic [47 per cent], and collection of food waste [42 per cent].
The priorities of 45–64-year-olds are: walking and cycling infrastructure [53 per cent], reduce single use plastic [53 per cent], re-wilding [50 per cent], traffic reduction [47 per cent], and promote food growing locally [45 per cent].
And the priorities of residents aged 65+ are: traffic reduction [56 per cent], re-wilding [48 per cent], tree planting [48 per cent], walking and cycling infrastructure [44 per cent], and packaging reduction in local shops [42 per cent].
However, when it comes to mucking in to do something about creating a greener Devizes, the survey results indicated that the young are less likely to volunteers.
The council commented: “One of the survey outcomes is to establish a panel within the community who can be consulted on the sustainability plans. There was a positive response to this with 64 per cent of respondents open to be contacted in the future, although this drops to 48 per cen in the under 24-year age group.
"The challenge will be to ensure that in future consultations there is a balance across the age groups. Methods will have to be found to engage with those below 24 years old.”
It added: “A question on climate anxiety was included as this will indicate the level of concern and hence priority that should be afforded to a community response. The responses of 77 per cent who agree that they are anxious about climate change is in line with recent national surveys. It is of note that for those aged 24 years and under the figure drops to 64 per cent.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here