CRP’s Spotlight On: London Borough of Islington

28th September 2021 / Posted by CRP Team

At Islington Council, we are working towards creating a cleaner, greener and healthier borough. The pandemic has highlighted just how important our local streets are to local people. We know it is important to take action now to improve our local environment, and meet the commitments in our Vision 2030 (Net Zero Carbon) Strategy to help tackle the climate emergency.

Over the past year, we have introduced and expanded several initiatives to improve air quality, create safer and more pleasant streets, and provide a healthier environment that encourages people to walk, cycle and use active travel where possible.

Through our people-friendly streets scheme we have introduced trial low-traffic neighbourhoods which stop through traffic taking short cuts on local roads, reducing traffic pollution and creating safer streets for people to walk, cycle, scoot and use buggies and wheelchairs. Our School Streets scheme reduces traffic at school gates, so children can breathe cleaner air, and making it easier and safer to walk, cycle and scoot to and from school.

We are also working to expand our cycle infrastructure and build a network of protected cycle routes. We created three new trial pop-up cycle lanes between July 2020 and April 2021 and are offering free cycle skills sessions to adults, children and schools through our Bikeability scheme. We are also offering local businesses a free one-month cargo bike trial. The bikes can be used for eco-friendly deliveries helping to reduce our carbon emissions. Find out more!

Islington has partnered with CRP on several programmes and most recently on Clean Air Villages 4 (CAV4) and Healthy Streets Everyday. While partnering with Angel Business Improvement District, we will be working with businesses and residents to deliver innovative solutions in Angel area and help Islington to reach net zero carbon targets.

Take Action on Idling

27th September 2021 / Posted by CRP Team

London Borough of Camden have relaunched their Engines Off campaign this month, specifically targeting fleet operators and businesses in London.

Engines Off works with businesses to tackle unnecessary engine idling and the toxic pollution it creates, sharing free training resources and invite businesses with fleets or drivers to take a ‘no idling’ pledge.

The Engines Off pledge is a simple, effective, zero-cost way for businesses to take action and show Londoners that they care about clean air.

Zero Emissions Day

27th September 2021 / Posted by CRP Team

Zero Emissions Day, Tuesday 21st September, raised awareness around fossil fuels and the harm caused by carbon emissions.

The Clean Air Villages 4 (CAV4) project is delivering interventions that will improve local air quality. As part of the project, we are having very exciting conversations about river freight with interested suppliers and also working with the Port of London Authority to produce a river freight infrastructure feasibility study.

Other project updates include the free telematics dongles scheme, which we will be giving to suppliers who have diesel vehicles and are thinking of switching to electric (see here for a case study from Clean Air Villages 3). We are exploring circular economy trials with two CAV4 partners, as well as hosting a walking freight focus group, and have expanded the CRP Clean Air Villages Directory into the new ‘village’ areas.

Imagine a world where the air we breathe is not harmful. Let’s work together to get there.

For further information, please contact CRP Project Manager Kate Fenton.

Welcome to new CRP Project Officer Eleanor!

27th September 2021 / Posted by CRP Team

I am excited to be joining the CRP team just as many of us are returning to the centre of London for work and recreation. The return emphasises that it is as important as ever to prioritise our improvements to London’s built environment and air quality, and to support our local businesses to aid a green post-pandemic recovery. I will be working on key projects that address these issues such as Clean Air Villages 4.

Everyone at CRP has been very helpful, it’s exciting to be part of such a diverse team with a variety of different backgrounds. It’s always enriching to have such a plethora of experiences and wealth of knowledge, I look forward to seeing what my time at CRP will bring. A healthy city starts with our built environment.

For more information, please contact Project Officer Eleanor Marshall.

Welcome to new CRP Project Officer Isidora!

27th September 2021 / Posted by Isidora Rivera Vollmer

My first week at CRP has been an amazing experience. The team have been very welcoming, and they have supported me throughout my induction period. I have met the entire team virtually and some even in person. I have already been conducting some research for Healthy Streets Everyday, reading many informative Clean Air Villages reports, undertaking necessary training, and taking part in many interesting meetings. I am excited to work on many more CRP projects soon and can’t wait to put my skills to good use.

For more information, please contact Project Officer Isidora Rivera Vollmer.

National Inclusion Week

27th September 2021 / Posted by CRP Team

National Inclusion Week runs from Monday 27th September, bringing together organisations globally to raise awareness and celebrate inclusion in all forms to create a more diverse workplace.

National Inclusion Week is now in its ninth year and the focus is on being #UnitedForInclusion. The celebrations aim to unite people and organisations to share learning, best practice and promote inclusion at work and society in general, so people feel included and valued.

As an inclusive employer, CRP’s accountable body Westminster City Council is celebrating the week by urging its staff to make a difference to someone else. They are providing staff with lots of tips and information plus offering both online and in person training courses on diversity and inclusion.

What will you be doing to raise awareness of diversity and inclusion?

For more information, please contact CRP Operations Manager Carol Quamina.

Westminster Goes Electric

27th September 2021 / Posted by CRP Team

To help more Westminster City Council (WCC) residents consider electric vehicle usage, WCC are planning to install 500 more EV chargers throughout the borough by March 2022. Westminster has more than 1,000 charging points, at locations based on requests from local people. 98.5% of residents that have contacted the council now have a charger just three minutes’ walk from their homes.

WCC are asking residents where more chargers are needed, to help better identify areas where demand is greatest.

If you live in Westminster and own – or plan to own – an electric vehicle, get in contact!

WCC cannot respond to every request due to levels of demand and because some of the lamp posts in which they are installed are not suitable for conversion.

Natural Health Service

27th September 2021 / Posted by Susannah Wilks

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show took place Tuesday 21st – Sunday 26th September, delayed from its usual May-time slot due to Covid restrictions.

There was a COP26 Garden, calling for all to protect biodiversity and our planet.

There were also new Balcony and Container Garden categories at RHS Chelsea, celebrating small spaces and how they can enrich everyone’s life – “even just one pot on an otherwise bare area can vastly improve our mental health and wellbeing”Pop Up Container Gardens and a Pocket Forest were other intriguing additions.

The BBC One Show and RHS Garden of Hope illustrated how gardening and growing plants provides hope and joy as we appreciate the fruits of our labour. Central to the design was a beautiful wooden sculpture, which twists and flows through the garden, incorporating seating areas, a child’s swing and creating the feeling of a big hug. We could all do with one of those at the moment!

Please see CRP’s latest Greening the Grey guidance report for further inspiration on the power of plants and gardens and contact CRP Project Manager Fiona Coull for more information.

Celebrating Pride

27th September 2021 / Posted by CRP Team

Although the Pride in London parade was cancelled this year, this month, like every month, is a great time to celebrate Pride.

Coming Out – Pride in London are running a series of events, including through their Pride in the City initiative to promote inclusivity in business. Launched in 2017 thanks to the support and vision of partners like PwC, Pride in the City (PITC) is now an established and respected initiative. PITC 2021 will provide an even stronger platform to connect businesses with LGBTQ+ community groups, activists and grassroots organisations in order to help discuss ways to make business even more LGBTQ+ inclusive.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “I welcome Pride in London’s plans to further promote diversity and inclusion within the workplace and I urge organisations around the capital to throw their support behind this important initiative.”

Net Zero Festival 2021

27th September 2021 / Posted by Ross Phillips

Net Zero Festival returns this year from Wednesday 29th September – Friday 1st October, with a host of exciting speakers from climate scientists, politicians, strategic agency and private sector leaders. This year takes on added importance, with COP26 soon taking place in the UK, highlighting the importance of sustainability, net zero and air quality in our future.

Through CRP’s Clean Air Villages 4 programme, we are supporting local authorities,
Business Improvement Districts, businesses, and arts, culture and community organisations, with their delivery of net zero targets. This support is particularly geared towards the freight and logistics sector, by improving the efficiency and minimising the impact of deliveries on air quality through consolidating suppliers, exploring micro-consolidation hubs and implementing zero emission last mile solutions such as cargo bikes and electric vehicles.

It looks set to be a great event and we are excited to see the action that comes out of this towards achieving net zero in the UK.

For more information, please contact Senior Project Officer Ross Phillips.