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Study Finds High Air Pollution in Homes

25th April 2025 / Posted by Sefinat Otaru

Earlier this year, the University of Birmingham released a report revealing that air pollution levels in homes can be higher than those found outdoors. The study, titled “Using Low-Cost Sensors to Assess Common Air Pollution Sources Across Multiple Residences,” monitored particulate matter in three urban households in Birmingham. Common sources of indoor particulate matter include dust, cooking, incense, and scented candles. 

This finding aligns with research conducted by our recent intern, Pooja Jani, who identified harmful compounds from sprays used in furniture cleaning and cosmetics, as well as issues related to mould and allergens. She noted that indoor air quality can also be adversely affected by external factors such as construction activities and traffic emissions. 

Separately, local authorities are conducting studies of their own to understand the impact of poor indoor air quality. Last year, Westminster City Council (our accountable body) received funding from the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund to use advanced indoor air quality monitors to explore the connections between indoor air quality, health, and socio-economic disparities. 

Understanding the relationship between indoor air quality and health is essential, especially since most people spend most of their time indoors—whether at home, work, school, or in shops. The University of Birmingham’s study highlights how indoor air pollution can impair our ability to concentrate. 

The report provides several recommendations for reducing indoor pollutants, including: 

  • Opening windows 
  • Regularly dusting surfaces 
  • Using extractor fans while cooking 
  • Reassessing how your use of scented candles 
  • Utilising air purifiers  

By taking these simple steps, we can create healthier indoor environments and enhance our well-being. Prioritizing indoor air quality is an important move towards better health and productivity for everyone. 

Thank You to Our CRP Interns

25th April 2025 / Posted by Katherine Fairfax

CRP would like to say a massive thank you to Pooja Jani and Marie Stobbart who have completed their internship with CRP.  

Pooja and Marie joined us from Kings College London and worked across a range of CRP programmes including  Healthy Streets Everyday II, Just Streets and Smarter Greener Logistics programmes.   

They have been valuable members to the CRP team and provided insights and expertise across workstreams and site visits.  

Wishing them the best of luck for the end of their Masters courses and looking forward to seeing what they do next! 

Sustrans Children’s Walking and Cycling Index: Prioritising Children in Active Travel

25th April 2025 / Posted by Sarah Meertens

Sustrans, a charity championing walking, wheeling and cycling, has published the first-ever Children’s Walking and Cycling Index. This new initiative builds on the broader Walking and Cycling Index, which tracks active travel progress in 23 cities across the UK and Ireland.  

The Children’s Index reveals key insights into how children feel about active travel and what is needed for them to travel safely and independently. Based on a survey of over 1,000 children, it found: 

  • 81% want more traffic-free and quiet routes 
  • 78% want protected cycle paths separated from cars 
  • 51% want to cycle more 
  • 48% already cycle weekly 

Currently, children are mostly considered in transport policy for school commutes, overlooking how vital daily active travel is for their health, independence, and social lives. The report also highlights a gender gap in cycling and limited accessibility for children using wheelchairs outside city centres. 

Sustrans urges councils to prioritise children in transport planning. For example, safer crossings, cycle training, and protected bike lanes can make travel more inclusive and safer for everyone. 

Understanding behaviour, attitudes and barriers towards active travel is also key to CRP’s Healthy Streets Everyday II (HSE II) programme – a 3-year programme funded by the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund. 

Support Our Vision for the Waterloo Freight Hub

25th April 2025 / Posted by Susannah Wilks

The first-of-its-kind Freight Hub at Waterloo Station in the London Borough of Lambeth got started on Trial Phase 1 a month ago.  The Waterloo Freight Hub could transform logistics across London and support a national shift to a low-carbon freight network and transport system. 

There are lots of ways to support CRP and all of its partners and get involved: 

  • Direct us to funding & sponsorship opportunities
  • Offer us funding, sponsorship, skills or knowledge
  • Maximise national government support for the Hub
  • Advise us on optimal procurement routes
  • Spread the word – share plans for the Hub with your network
  • Subscribe to CRP’s newsletter to receive regular updates

For further information please contact CRP Sustainable Transport Manager Ross Phillips. 

On Track and Moving Ahead: Just Streets Progress

26th March 2025 / Posted by Guillaume Strebelle

Cross River Partnership’s (CRP) work is continuing on the Just Streets project. Those of you who follow us know we’ve been busy working on three exciting projects across central London:  

  • A School Street initiative in Lambeth.  

Camden Town Unlimited is in the process of obtaining permissions for cultural signages to be put along walking routes.  

Lambeth Council’s School Streets team is working to put together an initial design for the School Street, run a four-week consultation, before sending final designs to contractors.  

CRP is collaborating closely with the University of Westminster, our technical partner, to support the delivery of a parklet in the Harley Street Business Improvement District. 

CRP regularly participates in various working groups with its 32 partners Just Streets partners. Our European partners have also been making great progress! 

In London, we’re excited to keep the momentum going. We look forward to obtaining final permissions and moving ahead with the installations. 

For more information contact CRP Project Lead for Just Streets Sefinat Otaru. 

CRP Launches Waterloo Freight Hub 6-month Trial

26th March 2025 / Posted by Sobastian Frazer

Cross River Partnership (CRP) is thrilled to launch the Waterloo Freight Hub, a transformative 6-month trial delivering parcels across London using zero-emission cargo bikes! This initiative, located under Waterloo Station, will help businesses and residents receive sustainable deliveries at no extra cost while reducing pollution and congestion. 

CRP is collaborating with Network Rail, the London Borough of Lambeth, the Department for Transport, London and Continental Railways, and Waterloo Station to transform underused space into a hub for greener logistics. Partnering with Delivery Mates, the hub will receive, sort, and distribute parcels using 10 electrically assisted cargo bikes instead of polluting vans.

Huge thank you to all those in attendance at this week’s launch event and a special thanks to our speakers Mike Putnam, Network Rail Acting Chair, Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, Lambeth Council, Kevin Savage Chief Operating Officer, Delivery Mates and CRP’s Sustainable Transport Manager Ross Phillips!

Why does this matter?  

  • Freight contributes to 25% of London’s transport emissions. 
  • By 2030, parcel deliveries in London could double to 1 billion annually! 
  • Waterloo could become a key hub for rail, road, and river deliveries, shaping the future of clean logistics. 

Through funding by Defra, CRP’s Smarter Greener Logistics programme is driving forward innovative solutions for a more sustainable and efficient future in urban logistics.  

This trial aligns with major climate goals, including Defra’s clean air targets, the Department for Transport’s decarbonisation plans, Network Rail’s Net Zero 2050 target and the London Borough of Lambeth’s Climate Action Plan, which includes a Net Zero target by 2030. 

This pioneering initiative could revolutionize freight transport, creating greener jobs, improving air quality, and making London a more sustainable city. 

Read the press release here and visit our Waterloo Freight Hub project page for more.

Stay tuned for updates as we track the impact of this exciting project!

London’s Inaugural Cities and Lighting Summit

26th March 2025 / Posted by Susannah Wilks

In April, the City of London Corporation will host the inaugural Cities & Lighting Summit. The event, which runs from 23 – 25 April 2025, is organised in partnership with the LUCI Association.  

The Summit will consider how urban lighting can help improve well-being and make cities more sustainable and inclusive.  

The event will attract key decision-makers from London and cities around the world, as well as leaders in the lighting industry, including designers and suppliers, as well as Developers, the Greater London Authority and London boroughs and BIDs representatives. 

Please visit the Summit website for more details, the programme and to register to attend.  There will be many fascinating talks including Sarah Gaventa on the Illuminated River: A public art commission project. 

Cross River Partnership has long recognised the vital role that lighting plays in cities, as evidenced by our pioneering work on our Light at the End of the Tunnel programme, as well as various reports that we have co-commissioned and authored: 

CRP is also considering the role of Lighting in improving safety as part of its Horizon Europe-funded Just Streets programme. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the City of London Corporation’s Clarisse Tavin if you have any query about the Summit, or if you wish to discuss sponsorship opportunities. 

Earth Action Day 2025: Our Power, Our Planet

26th March 2025 / Posted by Pooja Jani

This Earth Day, April 22nd, 2025, the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” unites us in a powerful call to action: to triple global renewable energy generation by 2030. Earth Action Day is more than a celebration – it’s an invitation to everyone, everywhere to take real steps toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

How can you get involved? Start by pledging your Earth Action on social media. Whether you choose to reduce plastic waste, plant trees, switch to renewable energy sources, or advocate for stronger environmental policies, every action counts. Use hashtags like #EarthActionDay and #OurPowerOurPlanet to amplify your commitment and inspire others.

Beyond pledging, Earth Action Day encourages individuals, schools, and communities to host or attend events. Organise town halls, rallies, clean-up drives, or educational workshops. Educators can integrate Earth Day lessons into classrooms, empowering students to understand their role in protecting the planet.

Advocacy is also key. Write to political leaders, sign petitions, and demand bold actions to combat climate change. Donations are welcome to support ongoing environmental initiatives.

Together, we have the power to make a difference – not just on Earth Day, but every day. Let’s educate, advocate, and mobilise to ensure a healthier planet for future generations.

Pledge your action today and be part of the global movement!

Learn more about how you can live greener and take action: Earth Day 2025 | Activities & Resources for April 22 – Earth Day

Great British Spring Clean

26th March 2025 / Posted by Marie Stobbart

Spring has sprung, and the time for the Great British Spring Clean and Great Big School Clean has arrived! 

Between the 21st of March and the 6th of April, millions of #LitterHeroes across communities will be picking up litter across the UK as part of the nation’s biggest large-scale environmental campaign. Last year, more than four million bags of litter were collected! 

Litter picking is a simple action which makes a big difference, for communities and for wildlife. 

Litter visually taints our streets, parks, beaches and landscapes, and leads to people feeling less pride in their neighbourhood. It can also be mistaken by hungry wildlife as a snack, which can cause choking, airway and stomach obstruction, and ultimately lead to death.  

You can support Keep Britain Tidy by pledging as an individual, group, or school, to collect a certain number of bags of litter. It can be as much or as little as you like – every piece of litter collected makes a difference. So far, 417,261 bags have been pledged! 

Click here for more information on how you can participate in making Britain cleaner!  

The Rising Tide of River Freight: CRP Featured in Logistics Manager Magazine

26th March 2025 / Posted by Katie Smith

CRP is proud to share its recent feature in Logistics Manager Magazine, which highlights our dedication to diversifying and re-organising how freight is currently distributed in the UK.  

With 80% of parcels distributed annually reliant on road freight, looking to use the river as a freight resource can support to ease congestion and improve air quality.  

Read the feature in full here.

As part of the Defra-funded Smarter Greener Logistics programme, CRP have been working on Pier Information Sheets designed to highlight the potential of key piers along the River Thames to support river freight.  

We look forward to sharing these over the coming months! 

For more information contact CRP Senior Programme Manager Fiona Coull.  

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