First published online by Transport for London on 16.11.18 A 'Healthy High Street' in Waltham Forest More retail space was filled by businesses following improvements to make cycling and walking easier, with a 17% decline in empty shops "The benefits of designing streets around pedestrians and cyclists and reducing car use can be enjoyed by everyone and will help ensure the future of our high streets" Will Norman London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner TfL has today published research that shows improvements to make it easier and safer to walk and cycle in London's town centres and high streets lead to an increase in retail rental values, more retail space being filled and a 93% increase in people walking in the streets. The research has also found that people walking, cycling and using public transport spend the most in their local shops, spending 40% more each month than car drivers. In one major study published today, locations inc...

First published in Governing Matters , the magazine of the National Governance Association, November 2018. Author: Foster, A. A family cycling to school at Bessemer Grange Primary in Southwark As a member of a local Safe Routes to School forum, I know that some school leaders are battling with dangerous driving, illegal parking and hostile, aggressive behaviour around the school gates at peak times. Whilst leaders are focused on guaranteeing educational attainment in the face of swingeing budget cuts, the school run issue has started to absorb valuable resources as school’s attempt to keep pupils and their families safe. Making the school run and our school streets safer and healthier is an urgent issue. The answer seems so simple; leaving the car at home and instead walking or cycling to school. If everyone did this, there would be some 25% reduction in the volume of traffic on the roads at peak times. So how? Active travel (walking, cycling or otherwise trav...

The main themes of the day were: ·         The benefits of walking: health, social cohesion, economic, environmental ·         How to make London into a great walking place as currently there is a gross misallocation of space with overcrowded streets. Cross Rail bringing more people in, London made of medieval streets and large 19 th century created streets.  ·         How to make walking more compelling – artwork, landscape, views, air quality, sense of community street events, using redundant spaces. ·         Need for walking network, joined up routes to reduce short tube journeys, pressure off public transport. Review of pedestrian crossings, improved timings for pedestrians on crossings, diagonal crossings. Walking improvements never become obsolete, unlike docking bikes v dockless bikes for example. ·    ...

  SRS was among over 200 delegates attending the  7th Hackney Cycling Conference 2018   to hear experts from the UK and Europe speak about creating liveable cities and healthy neighbourhoods. We were particularly interested in learning more about  Hackney’s pilot project to close school streets   during drop-off and pick-up times. Schools can download the  School Streets Timed Traffic Restrictions Toolkit for Professionals  from July or email  sta@hackney.gov.uk Speakers and campaign groups were focussed on highlighting the substantial evidence which demonstrates that improving conditions for cycling goes hand in hand with creating safer surroundings for pedestrians and improving public transport and air quality. Low traffic neighbourhoods enhance community and diversity on the streets and improve mental and physical health. Evidence demonstrated: •     The real danger on our roads comes from motor vehicles. This da...