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New London Overground Names Celebrate London’s Wonderful and Varied Cultural Heritage

26th February 2024 / Posted by Katie Smith

As part of a new project to make travel on the London Overground simpler and easier for users, Transport for London have announced names for each of the six overground routes.  

The London Overground network has grown considerably over recent years and today the network covers over 113 stations.  

The lines have been named to celebrate London and its communities and were informed by engagement with various groups including customers, local historians, academics, and transport specialists. 

The new lines, detailed below, will come into effect by the end of 2024. 

  1. The Lioness Line, Watford Junction to Euston: Honouring the legacy and achievements of the England women’s football team.  
  2. The Windrush Line, Highbury & Islington to New Cross/Clapham Junction/Crystal Palace/West Croydon: Recognising the contributions of the Windrush generation. 
  3. The Weaver Line, Liverpool Street to Enfield Town/Cheshunt/Chingford: Celebrating an area of London known for its textile trade.  
  4. The Liberty Line, Romford to Upminster: Celebrating the long-standing freedom that is a defining feature of London.  
  5. The Mildmay Line, Richmond and Clapham Junction to Stratford: Honouring the work of the Mildmay NHS hospital during the HIV/AIDS crisis.  
  6. The Suffragette Line, Gospel Oak to Barking Riverside: Celebrating this movement with its London links, that fought for votes for women and paved the way for womens rights.  

Read more about the line names and the powerful stories behind them: https://madeby.tfl.gov.uk/2024/02/15/overground_line_names/?intcmp=75213  

Exciting Pimlico Hub Trial Update!

26th February 2024 / Posted by Isidora Rivera Vollmer

Together with Westminster City Council, we are excited to announce that after a successful 9-month trial period, the low-emission courier Delivery Mates and Q-Park have come to an agreement and will continue to independently operate from the Pimlico micro logistics hub for a minimum of 12 months. Decarbon Logistics Solutions facilitated the conversations between Delivery Mates and Q-Park UK, encouraging them to continue the hub operations after the trial ended. The news was published via an official press release on 16th February. 

The CRP and WCC-funded trial, which aimed to support low-emission last-mile deliveries in the City of Westminster, was launched on 17th April 2023 and ended on 31st December 2023. The trial was supported by Decarbon Logistics Solutions, and carried out by Delivery Mates low-emission couriers. The project was part of the Defra-funded Clean Air Logistics for London (CALL) and Smarter Greener Logistics (SGL) programmes. 

After 9 months of operations, the e-cargo bikes travelled total distance of 22,578 km (14,029 miles), which led to significant emissions reductions of 4,186 kg of CO2, 15,141 g of NOx, and 303 g of PM2.5 when comparing the e-cargo bikes to polluting van deliveries on the last mile. 

Translated into more tangible examples, by using the CRP Clean Air Tool, these emission savings would equate to: 

  • CO2 emissions from 85 football pitch-sized forest fires  
  • NOx emissions equivalent to what 459 people emit in one day  
  • 6.8 sycamore maple trees required to filter out these PM2.5 emissions  

We are currently working on an in-depth report which will include detailed data, insights, learnings, and recommendations from the 9-month micro logistics hub trial in Pimlico. This will be published on our website in the coming months. 

For more information, please content CRP Project Manager Isidora Rivera Vollmer isidorariveravollmer@crossriverpartnership.org

Active Travel Underfunded in England

26th February 2024 / Posted by Guillaume Strebelle

A recent report from the Institute for Public Policy Research sheds light on the underinvestment in active travel initiatives across England.  

Despite the proven benefits of walking and cycling for public health, air quality, and climate change mitigation, these modes of transportation receive only a small fraction of the transportation budget (2%). 

Though London spends relatively generously in terms of active travel infrastructure, the rest of the country lags behind.  

Local authorities face significant barriers due to inadequate resources for developing cycling and walking infrastructure.

The report calls for a reprioritisation of funding and long-term planning to make active travel safer and more accessible for all residents. Urgent action is needed from the government to address this issue and promote walking and cycling as sustainable alternatives to car dependency. 

Read the full article: https://airqualitynews.com/health/active-travel-in-england-suffering-from-chronic-underfunding-says-report/

UK’s First Clean Air Night Campaign

30th January 2024 / Posted by Sefinat Otaru

Last Wednesday, 24 January, was the culmination of the first Clean Air Night campaign to highlight the dangers of wood burning. Global Action Plan developed the month-long campaign to inform the public about how burning wood worsens air quality. 

CRP has often spoken about the dangers of particulate matter (PM) from transport-related activities.  However, domestic burning accounts for more than one-quarter of PM2.5 emissions in the United Kingdom. Particulate matter poses a danger to the human respiratory system and is linked to diabetes and dementia, among other health concerns. 

Burning wood also produces more carbon dioxide than oil or gas, and cutting down trees wreaks havoc on natural habitats. It takes decades to regrow trees to restore damaged ecosystems and reabsorb carbon in our atmosphere. 

Aside from the dangers to our health and environment, wood burning is more expensive than boilers or heat pumps. 

You can learn more about the campaign and the hazards of woodburning by visiting the Clean Air Hub, exploring #CleanAirNight, or downloading this toolkit produced by Impact on Urban Health and Global Action Plan. 

CRP Continues to Support Boroughs and BIDs with Insightful Data

29th January 2024 / Posted by Ross Phillips

Evidence has become critical to create healthy streets and neighbourhoods. Cross River Partnership (CRP) have been busy throughout December and January, supporting partners with our insightful traffic and active travel reporting to evidence of how spaces, streets and neighbourhoods are used.  

CRP have continued to work with South Bank BID and VivaCity on understanding traffic levels and emissions in the local area. The recent changes from the Spine Route’s traffic filters and highway improvements bring a new focus to the reporting, and the CRP team have been busy analysing and reporting on this data throughout January. CRP are delighted to be supporting South Bank BID on this, and are really pleased this data continues to be used to support their public realm decision-making for nearly four years.  

Through Smarter Greener Logistics, CRP have been working collaboratively with the London Borough of Southwark to understand traffic around Cycleway 4, before the cycleway has been fully installed. This helps Southwark gain a really clear picture of vehicle movements and modelled air quality impacts on the local area, using VivaCity’s high tech artificial intelligence traffic sensors. CRP will be analysing data during 2024 for 3 months once the cycleway has been completed to understand the changes that have taken place.  

CRP work with VivaCity’s artificial intelligence traffic sensors to provide insights and reporting into: 

  • Active travel and traffic count analysis that measures all vehicle classes 
  • Movement and directionality mapping, modelling and visualisation 
  • Air quality and emissions modelling 
  • Speed and road safety evidence 
  • Public realm and behaviour analysis 

If you are interested in finding out whether CRP can support you with impactful and insightful traffic and air quality reporting, please email CRP Sustainable Transport Manager Ross Phillips rossphillips@crossriverpartnership.org 

CRP Attends Central London Freight Quality Partnership

29th January 2024 / Posted by Katherine Fairfax

CRP Project Manager Katherine Fairfax recently attended the Central London Freight Quality Partnership (CLFQP) – Current Freight Issues Group meeting. The CLFQP is coordinated by John Crosk, Chairman of the Brewery Logistics Group, and made up of representatives from the freight industry, local authorities, and other relevant organisations.  

At the meeting CRP provided an update on the Smarter Greener Logistics (SGL) Kerbside Management Trial which is being delivered in collaboration with Grid Smarter Cities. The trial aims to provide SGL local authority partners with the opportunity to trial kerbside management technology to alleviate congestion and improve air quality. 

Read our workstream summary sheet for more information. 

For any queries on the SGL Kerbside Management Trial contact CRP Project Manager Katherine Fairfax katherinefairfax@crossriverpartnership.org  

Micro Logistics Hub Updates

29th January 2024 / Posted by Guillaume Strebelle

CRP have exciting insights to share regarding our two micro logistics hub trials in Pimlico and Wandsworth:  

  • Since the Pimlico micro logistics hub trial began nine months ago – the trial recently ended on 31st December 2023 – 4,186 kg of CO2 emissions have been saved. Let’s translate this into a more tangible example, thanks to the CRP Clean Air Tool. This is equivalent to the CO2 emissions from 85 football pitch-sized forest fires. If you’re not convinced yet, here’s another notable achievement: 15,141 g of NOx emissions have been reduced so far. This is equivalent to the NOx emissions of what 459 people emit in one day! 
  • The micro logistics hub in Wandsworth is four months old and is demonstrating impressive results. Last month, 6,000 flower deliveries were sorted at the hub, and 257 miles were travelled by cargo bikes! We will be sharing insights for January soon. 

CRP is currently working with Islington Council and Decarbon Logistics Solutions to identify suitable locations for a future micro logistics hub trial. Consequently, another micro logistics hub trial should be implemented in the coming months, so stay tuned to CRP’s regular updates on our website, social media channels, or newsletter. 

Keen to learn more about micro logistics hubs? Find out here.  

You can also subscribe to our newsletter to keep abreast of the latest news regarding the micro logistics hub trials. 

Please contact CRP Project Manager Isidora Rivera Vollmer with any queries isidorariveravollmer@crossriverpartnership.org 

Celebrating 30 Years of CRP

29th January 2024 / Posted by Katie Smith

2024 marks a major milestone for us here at Cross River Partnership (CRP) as we celebrate 30 years of delivering London’s future together!  

To celebrate CRP’s history, growth and successes, we have launched a 30th anniversary edition of our logo to share throughout 2024.   

Originally formed to deliver cross-river infrastructure projects such as the Millenium Bridge and the Golden Jubilee Footbridges, CRP has since diversified to deliver a wide range of cross-borough, multi-partner regeneration projects. 

We are proud to be continuing to work collaboratively with a diverse network of talented people to deliver innovative solutions that make London fairer, greener and safer! 

CRP currently work with 32 partner organisations across London including business improvement districts, local authorities, and strategic agencies.  

A huge thank you to all of our partners and funders that have supported us throughout our journey! 

CRP Welcomes Two New Interns

29th January 2024 / Posted by Katie Smith

CRP are delighted to welcome two new Zero Emissions Interns to the team who will be supporting across the Smarter Greener Logistics (SGL) programme.  

After studying Geography at Queen Mary University of London, Ilyas is currently completing his Masters in Risk Analysis, Disasters and Resilience at Kings College London.  

Josephine is currently completing her Masters in Environment Science for Sustainability at Kings College London. 

On working at CRP, Ilyas said: “I am thrilled to have joined CRP, everyone has been extremely welcoming and easy going. Throughout university I have learnt about sustainability and air quality in theory, and I am now looking forward to finally put what I have learnt into practice on the varied workstreams with the team.” 

On working at CRP, Josephine said: “I am happy to be working with such an encouraging and collaborative team. I look forward to contributing to various sustainability projects at CRP, as my interests align with many of the ongoing and past projects at CRP. I have had a great start and feel very supported by the team at CRP. I am excited to continue working with CRP through collaboration with stakeholders, making a true impact towards a more sustainable future.” 

CRP’s Collaborative Bid to the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund

29th January 2024 / Posted by Susannah Wilks

CRP has submitted a collaborative application – Healthy Streets Everyday II – to the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund Round 4 (MAQF4).  If successful, the application will build on the success of MAQF3-funded programme Healthy Streets Everyday, led by Cross River Partnership (CRP). 

CRP’s Healthy Streets Everyday II application was supported by 14 partner organisations, including 6 Local Authorities, 6 Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and 2 strategic agencies.  The bid was led by Westminster City Council, CRP’s accountable body. 

CRP bid for £999,992 MAQF, bringing £1,590,659 in match funding to the application. 

Healthy Streets Everyday II (HSEII) will address the issue of over-dependence on private vehicles, and the associated issues of poor Air Quality, Environment, Safety, Health, and Wellbeing.  HSEII will realise a range of associated opportunities, including increased: 

  • Active travel 
  • Walking routes 
  • Permanent school streets 
  • Low emission transport infrastructure 
  • Green space / planting / rain gardens 

Evidence shows that transport emissions account for 25% of London’s overall emissions and is one of the largest contributors to London’s poor Air Quality. All of the Healthy Streets Everyday II interventions have been designed to tackle this, delivering multiple benefits simultaneously. 

Healthy Streets Everyday II will address poor Air Quality in partnership by: 

S Supporting safer spaces  

T Transforming travel behaviour  

R Reducing emissions and exposure  

E Engaging with communities  

E Embracing technological advances  

T Targeting green infrastructure  

S Sustaining best monitoring practice  

Results will be announced in March 2024! 

For further information, please contact CRP Director Susannah Wilks susannahwilks@crossriverpartnership.org 

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