Foreword

4 Foreword

FROM BLEAK STREETS TO LOVEABLE NEIGHBOURHOODS

On the surface, any scheme that stops throughtraffic in residential areas or reallocates space to walking and cycling is likely to be divisive and polarising. The vocal opposition to Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) has been widely reported, with heated debates on social media.

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, councils applied for Government emergency active travel funding, with schemes swiftly, and in some cases perhaps hastily, installed, comprising planters, bollards and ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes. This sparked protests from local groups, who argued that road closures and the removal of space for motorised traffic was undemocratic.

Some schemes have since been withdrawn while many others have been made permanent following trials. So, post lockdown, what lessons have we learned on how best to create safe and attractive places – which also tackle inactive lifestyles, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions – while properly involving local people in the process?

This guide offers examples of best practice, including the remarkable transformation of Old Bethnal Green Road, which was once a busy, noisy and polluted main road. Those behind the project worked hard to engage with local people, balancing the needs of residents and businesses.

We talk to Hackney Council’s Philip Glanville and Mete Coban about their evidence-led approach to creating streets that work for everyone, including the more than 70% of households in the borough that do not own a car. Hackney Council has pioneered the roll-out of School Streets to complement LTNs and controlled parking zones.

James Cleeton from Sustrans reports on how the number of School Streets in London has increased from 76 to more than 500 in just three years. School Streets not only improve lives locally but can add up to more significant changes for entire communities, Cleeton believes.

One of the chief complaints about road space reallocation schemes is the lack of appropriate and adequate consultation. This is addressed by Lucy Farrow and Tom Cohen, who call for participation by local people much earlier in the planning process.

Meanwhile, Enfield’s Richard Eason reveals how interactive tools have resulted in higher levels of participation by residents in developing peoplefriendly streets. And Vinu’s Jenny May offers tips on how to work with stakeholders to draw up effective ‘co-creation’ methods.

With the capital seeking to become net zero by 2030, encouraging more people to use public transport is vital, says TfL. Its Bus Action Plan, summarised in these pages, includes targets to introduce 25km of bus lanes by 2025 and switch to a totally zero emission fleet by 2030.

Elsewhere in this guide, you will find details of the latest on-street innovations including hangars, hubs, parklets and traffic calming measures. We also turn the spotlight on rain gardens, with TfL’s Precious Birabil listing the many benefits of incorporating SuDS (sustainable drainage systems) in highway schemes, while the urban design team at Atkins offer their insights on greening our streets. There are also valuable greening tips from what:if’s Gareth Morris.

And, for good measure, we take a look further afield at street improvement schemes in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.

We hope that the insights, case studies and data gathered here will leave you feeling inspired and serve as a handy reference.

Chris Kenyon @boxbikelondon Deniz Huseyin, Editor