Latest Healthy Streets Stories

Total takes over London’s largest EV network

Energy producer and provider Total have acquired ‘Source London,’ the largest electric vehicle (EV) network in the capital. Source London was launched in 2010 in cooperation with London Boroughs and it currently represents more than half of the charge points in operation in London. The network includes more than 1,600 on-street charge points and is a major part of the City of London’s ambition to reach zero-carbon emissions by 2050.

New heavy vehicle scrappage scheme

A new heavy vehicle scrappage scheme will help London-based businesses and charities to replace their polluting vehicles. Heavy vehicles play an important role in London but they are also disproportionately responsible for poor air quality, therefore the Mayor’s new scrappage scheme will help small businesses and charities to replace these polluting vehicles with more environmentally-friendly alternatives.

Colliers Wood parents mark new school street

Parents at Singlegate Primary School in Merton celebrated the success of their school street. On Monday 14th September, a celebration was held in South Gardens next to the primary school as parents expressed their joy over the new safety measure.

Greater London Authority (GLA) places air quality sensors around primary schools

The Greater London Authority (GLA) has launched an air quality monitoring project using sensors to measure nitrogen dioxide levels around clusters of primary schools. It is testing the air levels in areas where its ‘school streets’ programme has been applied, closing surrounding roads to motor traffic at drop-off and pick-up times. The GLA has installed 30 of the sensors around primary schools in the boroughs of Brent, Enfield and Lambeth. Half of the schools have recently introduced a school street so it will be possible to measure the differences in air quality with those that have not.

How London’s air pollution is impacting people with asthma and lung conditions

Breathing polluted air — especially tiny particles known as PM2.5 — can be particularly dangerous for the 12 million people in the UK living with diagnosed lung conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Because the smallest particles get right into the lungs, air pollution can quickly irritate airways and trigger symptoms.

TfL has released a new walking map of the ‘most interesting’ streets in London

Transport for London (TfL) and London Living Streets have unveiled the Central London Footways map, which will be distributed free to Londoners. The printed map and design concept - developed by Urban Good - provides a wealth of new information about walking in the capital and will support Londoners and visitors to walk longer distances on everyday trips. The physical, free map is available at several central London locations, which can be found online at www.footways.london alongside more information about the network.

City of London corridor becomes a Streetspace

One of central London’s major thoroughfares has been transformed into a place that prioritises people walking and cycling. New traffic restrictions between Shoreditch and London Bridge are part of Transport for London's response to the coronavirus pandemic, which is helping to create more space for walking, improve cycling conditions and enable people to maintain social distancing, particularly at busy times.

Pop-Up Coronavirus Cycleways Deliver $3 Billion In Annual Health Benefits Across Europe

Keeping the pop-up “corona cycleways” installed on many main roads in European cities would result in health benefits of $3 billion a year, claims a new study from German climate-change researchers. Using historic data from bicyclist counters in 106 European cities, the researchers estimate that the temporary cycleways installed during the coranavirus pandemic have, on average, led to a 7% uptick in cycling rates.

More People Friendly Streets announced in Islington

Islington Council has revealed Canonbury West is the fourth area to see traffic-curbing measures, including bollards and enforcement cameras, on through-routes. These measures have been introduced as part of 18-month Experimental Traffic Orders to make the borough better for pedestrians and cyclists as the coronavirus lockdown is lifted.

Transport for London sets out ‘School Service’ bus plans for autumn term

Up to half the buses running on some of the capital’s bus routes will be reserved for school children during mornings and early afternoons as Transport for London seeks to facilitate the full re-opening of schools for the new autumn term.

Street closures fast-tracked with experimental traffic orders

London boroughs have announced plans to close residential streets to through traffic using experimental traffic regulation orders that don’t require prior consultation. Physical barriers of large planters (‘modal filters’) will be used to restrict vehicular access on some streets. On others, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) enforcement cameras will be installed. While in normal circumstances the councils would hold a consultation before introducing schemes like these, the Covid-19 crisis has meant quick action has been taken to keep roads safe.

Hundreds of activity packs given to King’s Park ward residents in Hackney

A community project is supporting King’s Park ward residents in becoming more active by giving away 700 hundred fitness packs. Hackney council’s King’s Park Moving Together community project, funded by Sport England, is leading an initiative to get more people moving in the borough.