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Transformative Transport - a revolution in active and public transport
We need to take the opportunity presented by changing work practices that has led to people having more interaction with their local areas to lay the foundation for a transformation in how people transport themselves around the city. People have realised the importance and value of having safer, less congested and less polluted streets. The backbone of this will be improved active and public transport. This means improving streets, installing bike lanes and LTNs to reduce rat-running through residential areas.
For active transport, that means giving thought to urban realm improvements to streets, parks and high streets to improve access, provide space, provide areas of activity and improve accessibility (for children/elderly/disabled etc). High streets with better walking/cycling access see economic activity boosted by 40% compared to those dominated by cars (as seen in Walthamstow)
This needs to be followed up by the provision of safe, segregated cycle lanes along all main and secondary routes across local authority areas. This is one of the key elements of encouraging people to switch to cycling as this will allow more adults, children and families to travel by bike. 50% of car journeys in Greater London are under 2km which is a 30 mins walk or a 15 mins bike ride. If a large share of these trips switch to active modes, that will reduce congestion, pollution and accident risk. This can make a big difference to intra and inter-borough journeys.
In turn, more active travel journeys have subsequent public health benefits, boosting economic activity and reducing the burden on NHS services. They retain and improve access for emergency services, business travel (deliveries/utilities etc) and buses. This in turn improves access to rail services, boosting cross-London connectivity.
LTNs will also present major benefits for residents where rat-running is stopped whilst resident's access as well as walking/cycling access is retained and streets made safer.
Suggested by szkendler
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Community Member 4 years agoMy neighbourhood is a mixed residential & commercial one, adjacent to a 'major retail destination'. The local council chooses to blank out the residential aspect of our side streets, preferring to use them as the servicing area for the...
Show full commentMy neighbourhood is a mixed residential & commercial one, adjacent to a 'major retail destination'. The local council chooses to blank out the residential aspect of our side streets, preferring to use them as the servicing area for the retail main drag, and as a displacement route for cars and other vehicles.The LA could townscape the area in a way that shields the residential area from the commercial one, using greening as permeable screening to discourage crowds from overwhelming residential locales, and making the area an LTN. Instead our streets are to include entertainment spaces, and will be used as overspill space for the shopping street. Buses routes and numbers have been slashed, and there are signs that buses may be rerouted through residential streets parallel to the shopping street (pavements being over-widened, narrowing road needed for buses).
The sustainable alternative to this LA and major landowner approach, over-centralisation & over-pollution, is something like the 15 minute city. Local London areas, particular ones that suffer from those long strips of banal shops along the main road, should be redeveloped. On the main road there should be cycle lanes and bus lanes/bus stop areas, and parking for cars and deliveries/servicing. The buildings lining the main road should be designed to face the other way, backs to the main road (well insulated against noise). On the other side, not right up by the main road, there can be shops, arts centres, theatres, green parklets, 'town green' areas, local work/leisure/eatery facilities for home workers and the self-employed who need office space & socialising. Areas covered by arts and leisure facilities can be shared by several localities if necessary - different levels of local. Each locality should have a unique character, local identity, and to attract some tourism from abroad, the UK, and Londoners.
Show less of commentAnd this requires a transport system that serves lateral & circling routes linking these centres.