Just recently, Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, published his draft Transport Strategy which sets out his policies and proposals to reshape transport in London over the next twenty-five years. Transport is an incredibly important issue. It has the potential to transform the shape London, from the streets Londoners live, work and spend time on, to the tube, rail and bus services they use every day.
By using the Healthy Streets Approach to prioritise human health and experience in planning the city, the Mayor wants to change London’s transport mix so the city works better for everyone.
Three key themes are at the heart of the strategy.
- Healthy Streets and healthy people
Creating streets and street networks that encourage walking, cycling and public transport use will reduce car dependency and the health problems it creates.
- A good public transport experience
Public transport is the most efficient way for people to travel over distances that are too long to walk or cycle, and a shift from private car to public transport could dramatically reduce the number of vehicles on London’s streets.
- New homes and jobs
More people than ever want to live and work in London. Planning the city around walking, cycling and public transport use will unlock growth in new areas and ensure that London grows in a way that benefits everyone.
Walking and cycling are key components of the strategy.
Creating streets and routes that encourage walking, cycling and public transport use will reduce car dependency and the health problems it creates. Streets make up 80 per cent of London’s public space, so making them Healthy Streets has the potential to dramatically improve the experience of living, working and spending time in the city.
Most people can get the minimum physical activity they need to stay healthy by walking or cycling as part of trips they already make. Improving the experience of being on streets is the most effective way of encouraging more people to do this.
The Mayor’s aim is, by 2041, for all Londoners to do at least the 20 minutes of active travel they need to stay healthy each day.
Newham is in a good position to play an important role in the implementation of this strategy.
For a start, the borough is a great place to walk and cycle around. Parks, including the QEII Olympic Park, the Greenway and the docklands all offer safe places to get moving.
However, it’s all the regeneration initiatives in the borough that will make the difference. Ever since the Olympic Games were awarded to London a decade ago, Newham has been undergoing a process of change. And so it goes on with the transformation of areas like Canning Town and the Victoria and Albert docks with new homes, businesses and leisure facilities.
This will bring with it a new approach to walking and cycling and, as a consequence, a healthier, happier and more resilient community.
