Latest Healthy Streets Stories

London Healthy Streets Map

A new map, called the Healthy Streets Index, has been created by experts from University College London (UCL), Healthy Streets and Tranquil City to show how Healthy London's Streets are. Aspects such as air and noise pollution, pavement space and number of trees have been analysed to create the map, which aims to allow Londoners "to make informed decisions about where we want to live".

School Pollution Helpdesk launched by Mayor of London

In partnership with the environmental charities Global Action Plan and Impact on Urban Health, the helpdesk will support schools across the capital to deliver air quality audits. Audit recommendations may include options such as closing surrounding roads during pick-up and drop-off times, walking and scooting campaigns, adding green infrastructure and tackling engine idling.

Historic Edinburgh street to go Car Free

Cars are set to be banned from George Street in Edinburgh as part of plans to open up the space for pedestrians, bikes, and outdoor seating areas.The plans form part of City of Edinburgh Council's 10-year transformation project, which will see the city centre become largely car-free by 2030.

Low-traffic schemes benefit most-deprived Londoners, study finds

A study has found that Low-traffic neighbourhoods, which use filters to try to reduce motor traffic on residential streets, do not disproportionately benefit more privileged communities. The research, which examined about 400 filters created in London last year, actually found that across the city, people in the most deprived quarter of areas were 2.7 times more likely to live in one of the new LTNs than the least deprived quarter of people.

How ‘school streets’ could create safer, healthier cities, Air Quality News

"Amy Barnes and Maria Val Martin from the University of Sheffield explain how ‘school streets’ could create safer, healthier cities. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, communities living in cities need cleaner air to breathe and outdoor public space to be social yet physically distanced." This article explores how school streets can contribute to safer, healthier cities.

Nine ace bike rides in and around London, Timeout

"When it comes to getting around London, we're spoilt for choice. There's the iconic red double-deckers, tubes that run all through the night, and even boats that whizz through the Thames at 30 mph. But current circumstances have definitely helped to reignite our love affair with getting around town on two wheels. " - Timeout

Cockfosters becomes 80th step-free London Underground station, Transport for London

"Customers using Cockfosters Tube station can now enter and exit step-free as work to modernise the station has been completed. TfL has finished work on installing a lift at the northern terminus of the Piccadilly line, making Cockfosters the 80th Tube station to become step-free."

Pavement parking: options for change, Department for Transport

A consultation on pavement parking by the Department for Transport to improve accessibility of streets around the UK. Pavement parking has been prohibited in London since 1974 however there are still issues recognised with pavement parking around the whole of the UK.

Despite a loud opposing minority, low-traffic neighbourhoods are increasingly popular

An article from The Guardian's Peter Walker on the popularity of low-traffic neighbourhoods. "They are not purely, or even mainly, about cycling, but the row about low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), – where some residential streets are closed to through motor traffic – epitomises broader attitudes in the UK towards safer, more human-friendly streets. And amid the daily froth of sometimes entirely false stories about LTNs closing roads, or slowing emergency service response times, one thing is often forgotten: these schemes tend to be very popular."

Lewisham council announces changes to controversial Low Traffic Neighbourhood

Lewisham council has set out changes to its first low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) to help relieve traffic congestion in neighbouring areas. The changes include allowing vehicles, except HGVs, through the camera-enforced barrier in Manor Lane and adjusting the existing cameras in Ennersdale Road and Dermody Road to allow vehicles to travel one-way west to east.

Air pollution costs the average city resident almost £900 a year in sick days and healthcare, study finds

Air pollution is costing the average city resident in the UK almost £900 a year in sick days, healthcare and premature death, according to the largest study of its kind by the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA). The health costs caused by three major pollutants – particulate matter, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide – is felt most keenly in London, where they cost residents £1,180 each on average.

Increased active travel levels in UK to stay, says DfT

A Department for Transport (DfT) study has shown that of those that walked or cycled more during the Covid-19 lockdown, 94% are likely to continue. The DfT National Travel Attitudes Study found that between May and July 2020, 39% of people reported that they walked more and 38% reported that they cycled more compared with before the outbreak of the coronavirus.