A North London council has been crowned the city’s top borough for creating ‘healthy streets’ for the fifth year running, with low traffic and active travel schemes turning residents away from cars.
Last week, Islington topped other inner London boroughs in the Healthy Streets Scorecard ranking for its “admirably sustainable” levels of active travel and the lowest number of cars per household. In fact, aside from the City of London which notably has far fewer residents than the 32 boroughs, Islington topped the list, beating all of the city’s other boroughs.
The Healthy Streets Scorecard stated, on Islington’s results: “With more than four out of five journeys made without a car, Islington remains a national exemplar.”
The council’s environment, air quality and transport chief said the Town Hall was committed to making streets even more environmentally friendly. “We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, but we’re not stopping here,” said Cllr Rowena Champion. “The journey to a greener, healthier Islington continues, and it’s one that involves everyone in Islington, from local people to businesses.
In a statement the council said it would continue improving road safety through rolling out School Streets, such as the recent scheme by Christ the King Catholic Primary School in Tollington.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) head teacher Tracy Lane applauded the policy’s “huge impact”.
She said: “It used to feel so stark, unattractive and not child-friendly at all,” adding that drivers were “whizzing” between Hornsey and Stroud Green, causing accidents and “too much exhaust”.
Now that the Town Hall has removed parking spaces, restricted cars’ access, and installed flowerbeds and benches, “there’s a little bit of nature, and people have a sense of community instead of hanging around on the dirty pavement”.
The council also put in new public bike racks on the street to encourage active travel, which it has promoted across Islington through infrastructure, including a new parallel pedestrian and cycle crossing between Northchurch and Southgate Road in the borough’s eastern corner.
The LDRS spoke to local business owner Harry Davies, whose shop sits close to this junction, who said it has caused some confusion: “I’m not remotely anti-cycling but the work was unnecessary and drivers are stopping in the middle of the zebra crossing.
“Somebody got knocked off their bike the other day because nobody knows who has the right of way.”
Mr Davies claimed that residents were not asked during the consultation if they were in favour of the council’s proposals or not.
Islington is currently seeking public feedback on its plans for ‘liveable neighbourhoods’ across the borough, which aim to create more “welcoming, green and biodiverse” spaces, encourage active travel and reduce toxic pollution.
Though the local authority scored the highest against 11 other inner London boroughs, the City of London came out on top overall.
Planning and Transportation Committee Chairman Tom Sleigh said the Square Mile had become “a safer and more pleasant environment for everyone to travel through, with many more people now relaxing and enjoying themselves in more pedestrian-friendly and vibrant areas”.
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