Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, has created a live online map allowing Londoners to share their views on emergency measures as councils and Transport for London rapidly prioritise walking and cycling on the capital’s streets to allow Londoners to move around safely.
Cycling in London has suddenly become a whole lot easier
It is noticeable that, two weeks after Croydon Council introduced its own series of road closures around South Norwood and some pavement widening along London Road in West Croydon, information about their schemes do not appear to be fully reflected on the Sustrans map.
As London transforms into a city where more road space is given to walking and cycling at internationally renowned locations such as Park Lane (that’s the Hyde Park one, don’t get too excited), residents across London can now share their views on temporary cycle lanes, widened pavements and other measures that have been implemented in their local area to allow for physical distancing, through the interactive, online map.
The map-based tool has been created by the walking and cycling charity to help local authorities gather residents’ feedback and assess the impact that measures to create additional space for safe walking and cycling have had during the covid-19 lockdown.
Pavement widening allows pedestrians to keep socially distanced
Residents can search the map for the schemes in their area, and complete a short form expressing their views on the street changes.
Once data is gathered, an automated “dashboard” report can be sent to the relevant local authority.
Councils across London including Lambeth, Southwark, Hammersmith and Fulham, Camden, Hackney and Croydon have rolled out measures to increase space for walking and cycling. The City of London is bringing forward proposals which will make most of the Square Mile a car-free zone.
So far, changes made are:
- Widening of pedestrian footway (by extending it into the road)
- Installation of road filters (plant containers, bollards) to prevent through motor traffic
- Creation of temporary protected cycleway
Transport for London has announced fast-track new cycle routes and wider pavements across the capital.
Sustrans has asked the government to support local authorities roll-out active travel infrastructure to support social distancing and to enable a greener, more sustainable recovery from covid-19.
“It’s great to see boroughs across London start to make their streets more walking and cycling-friendly,” said Giulio Ferrini, Sustrans’ head of built environment for London.
“Local authorities are critical in reshaping the city’s streets and strengthening London’s resilience as we begin to emerge from lockdown. Those in local government who have the power to make positive change happen must ensure streets feel safe to walk and cycle along.
“Now is the time for boroughs to take positive action and transform their streets so when schools, offices and shops start to open, active travel will be the solution to Londoners’ transport needs.”
Alex Williams, TfL’s director of city planning, said: “There are significant challenges in enabling those who cannot work from home to return to the network while maintaining social distancing. It’s clear that supporting an increase in active travel will be vital in London’s safe and sustainable recovery.
“That’s why we have undertaken a bold programme to introduce new walking and cycling infrastructure for Londoners. Through our Streetspace programme, we’ve created new and improved cycle lanes on some of our busiest streets and added around 5,000 sqm of extra space on footpaths during the past week alone. These changes are transforming parts of central London into one of the largest car-free zones in any capital city.
“We welcome Sustrans’ new online tool, which will enable the public to help shape the changes that are making our neighbourhoods safer and more sustainable. London’s gradual emergence from lockdown will be an enormous travel demand challenge that we will all need to overcome together.”
The Sustrans survey can be found here: www.sustrans.org.uk/spacetomove.
And to suggest a scheme that you think could be added, email spacetomove@sustrans.org.uk.
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