Sholing community celebrates Child-Friendly Streets

16 October 2018

The community of Sholing in Southampton came together last month to help transform their neighbourhood into a bright and colourful child-friendly space.

Taking place on the green on Montague Avenue, locals were able to decorate trees and brighten up the pathways with colourful patterns. Urban furniture and planting were installed and are set to remain in place until December to encourage more local residents to enjoy the outdoor space.

The event was part of Sholing Child-Friendly Streets, a project run by the local council’s sustainable travel brand, My Journey, and in partnership with Sustrans and the University of Southampton. The project involved the local community who helped in identifying areas for improvement and ways to make the space safer, more attractive and child-friendly.

A neighbourhood with many children on its public spaces is an indicator that it is well designed and sustainable

As part of the EU Metamorphosis Project, the initiative aims to transform car-oriented neighbourhoods into child-friendly spaces in collaboration with local communities.

Metamorphosis works from the premise that a neighbourhood with many children on its public spaces is well designed and sustainable.

The benefits of walking and cycling are well documented

James Cleeton, Sustrans England South Director said:

“The benefits of walking and cycling are well documented, but how can we expect people to do more if they won’t walk and cycle in their own neighbourhood?

“Involving people in the redesign of their neighbourhoods not only ensures good design that targets the issues people experience every day but also improves community cohesion. Together this creates a more inviting environment to walk or cycle in for people who may otherwise have driven.”

Community collaboration

The first phase of the Sholing Child-Friendly Streets Project commenced in June this year with a street closure outside Valentine Primary School.

Community collaboration included two co-design workshops where participants were invited to share their creative ideas.

The community were able to share their views on the proposed changes by voting on various design sketches.

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport and Public Realm said:

“It’s been lovely to see the enthusiastic reaction to this project from the Sholing community.

“By supporting residents to make these small, positive changes to their local area, we can encourage a greater number of people to use active travel in an inviting, safe and enjoyable environment.”

My Journey is the sustainable travel brand of Southampton City Council and aims to tackle poor air quality and promote a healthier, more active lifestyle by encouraging people to use a greater level of cycling, walking and public transport to replace shorter journeys made by car.

Find out more about our community-led design services

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Recycled bottle top art project at Leicester Primary School

12 October 2018
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We’ve been working with pupils, parents and staff at Glebelands Primary School to create a display on a local dual-use path, Churchbell Way.

The artwork aims to encourage more pupils, staff and parents to cycle, scoot or walk to school along the path. 

Working alongside Leicester City Council, we helped the School to recycle used plastic bottle tops and design the display.

Our work with the school 

The project began at the start of 2018 as the school collected hundreds of colourful plastic bottle tops. The designs were created by Glebelands Primary School in partnership with Sustrans. 

The younger children at the school separated and sorted the bottle tops. The older children and staff then fixed the bottle tops onto wood footprints, bike wheels and logos. Finally, the shapes were arranged and attached to a fence which lines a section of the path.

The artwork was unveiled on Monday 8 October by local Councillor Sue Waddington.

The project was very popular with the students and one year 6 pupil said:

“The Bottle Top project was a great way of using plastic materials to make something from. I enjoyed creating the different designs and glueing and screwing them together. It was great fun and I hope we can do it again!”

Commenting on the project Lawrence Lee, who is Glebelands headteacher, said:

“The Bottle Top project was truly a whole-school approach with children, staff and parents getting involved. We are incredibly pleased with the finished result and even more proud of the fact that we can share our hard work with the local community. Sustrans gave us the push we needed to get the project off the ground and I would like to thank Nichola for all of her support from start to finish.”

The success of the project was also welcomed by Nichola Jackson, our Schools Cycling Officer in Leicester who worked with the school. Commenting on the initiative she said: 

“When plastic usage is an on-going global issue, we wanted to do a project which combined recycling, active travel and art. The location of Churchbell Way was ideal and after gaining permission to put the artwork up, the bottle tops came in thick and fast. The finished project really brightens up the path and it’s great to see the children so proud of their work. The staff, parents and pupils of Glebelands Primary School have put in a huge amount of time and effort into this project and I hope it will be enjoyed by the local community.”F

Find out more about work with schools 

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E-cargo bikes could transform cycling for many businesses – our response to the Government’s fund for e-cargo bikes

12 October 2018

Commenting on the UK Government’s announcement of a £2 million fund towards the purchase of new e-cargo bikes for businesses, Andy Cope, Director of Insight at Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity said:

“We welcome that the Government is beginning to recognise the potential of e-cargo bikes as an effective tool for the delivery of goods in cities and towns. In urban areas where space is limited, we need to focus on moving people and goods as efficiently as possible – cargo bikes, including electric models, have a key role to play.

“With leadership and urgent action, e-cargo bikes could transform cycling for many businesses, including delivery and maintenance services, and help tackle congestion and poor air quality by making cycling a realistic transportation choice. UK businesses including Sainsbury’s, Zedify and DHL are recognising this and the Government has a clear opportunity to incentivise and enable others to follow.

“Alongside support for purchasing e-cargo bikes, the UK Government needs to prioritise investment in high-quality infrastructure and engagement initiatives to maximise the safety of cycling and ease of use of all types of bike. Everyone who cycles, regardless of the type of bike they use, needs to have access to high quality and inclusive infrastructure. Infrastructure must be suitable for all types of bikes, including cargo bikes and other adapted cycles.”

Read our response to the DfT “The last mile – a call for evidence” consultation

For more information, images and interviews, please contact:
Anna Galandzij, Senior Press Officer at Sustrans, anna.galandzij@sustrans.org.uk, 07557 915648
Liv Denne, Press and Media Officer at Sustrans, liv.denne@sustrans.org.uk, 07768 035318

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Three more Quietways cycle routes open across London

11 October 2018

We were pleased to join Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Transport for London (TfL), and borough leaders from Southwark, Newham and Redbridge today to launch three new Quietway cycle routes in London.

The routes have added a further 15km to the expanding Quietways network in the capital.

Cycling in London increases as routes expand

“ To help solve the capital’s pressing problems, many more of London’s neighbourhoods must be transformed to work better for people walking and cycling. London boroughs, who own most of the streets in the capital, must not shy away from making bold choices to make that possible. ”

-  Matt Winfield, London Director, Sustrans

Quietway 22 from Newham Way to Stratford High Street, Quietway 14 in Southwark, and Quietway 6 from Wanstead Flats to Barkingside are all now open, making it easier for people to get around the capital under their own steam. The route openings come as new figures from TfL show cycling levels in central London between April and June 2018 grew by 8% year-on-year. More than 150km of Quietways have now been constructed, including the Central London Grid.

Sustrans are the delivery agent for Quietways, working with TfL and London boroughs to help create 400km of new cycle routes to help build a London-wide high-quality cycle network and improve air quality for all road users.

Expanding London’s Quietway network is vital to help get more Londoners cycling and reduce car use.

Quietway 22 - Opening connections to Stratford High Street with 24 hour lighting scheme

Quietway 22 is a new 6.5km route connecting Stratford High Street to Cycle Superhighway 3 at Newham Way via West Ham and Plaistow Park. The route includes new lighting and CCTV, enabling greater use of the path. Three new pedestrian and cycle friendly ramps onto the existing Greenway route between Stratford and Beckton open up this family-friendly traffic-free route to people living nearby who were previously unable to access it.

Quietway 6 - More routes for East London - from Wanstead Flats to Barkingside

In East London, Quietway 6 is a new 6.5km route connecting Wanstead Flats and Barkingside via a new bridge for walkers and cyclists, designed by Sustrans, in Valentine’s Park and a new two-way cycle track on Forest Drive.

Quietway 14 - Connecting South-East London

The new Quietway 14 route provides a safe cycling route connecting Blackfriars Road and Bermondsey and is part of a growing network of routes in South-East London. 

Quietway 14 currently connects to Cycle Superhighway 6 at Blackfriars Road and Cycle Superhighway 7 at Southwark Bridge Road, as well as running close to Quietway 1 (Waterloo to Greenwich) and the forthcoming Quietway 7 (Elephant & Castle to Crystal Palace). It will eventually extend further east to Rotherhithe and Canada Water, connecting with Cycle Superhighway 4, and then join the Thames Path route, along with the newly opened bridge on National Cycle Network Route 1 to Thamesmead.

A huge increase in people using Quietways

Quietway routes have seen massive growth in the numbers of people using them. Between 2014 and 2017, where Quietways have been built, there has been a:

71% increase in people cycling at Great Suffolk Street (Quietway 1) 64% increase in people cycling at Trinity Street (Quietway 1) 188% increase in people cycling at Law Street (Quietway 1) 94% increase in people cycling at Chatham Place (Quietway 2) 61% increase in people cycling at Coppermill Lane (Quietway 2) 32% increase in people cycling at Middleton Road (Quietway 2) Making London’s junctions safer and opening up cycling for all

To date, Quietways have made cycling safer at 86 junctions across London. The first route, Quietway 1 Waterloo to Greenwich, saw a 54% increase in cycling after opening to the public in 2016 and the proportion of women cycling along the route rose from 29% to 35%.

Building on success

The new Quietway routes follow the introduction of six other cycle routes that have opened to the public recently:

Cycle Superhighway 6 - Elephant & Castle to Kings Cross Quietway 2 East - Bloomsbury to Walthamstow via Angel, Haggerston, London Fields and Clapton Quietway 2 West - Notting Hill to East Acton via Wormwood Scrubs Quietway 5 - Oval to Clapham Common Quietway 15 - Belgravia to Earl’s Court Quietway 3 - Gladstone Park to Kilburn Station

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said:

“I’m delighted these three new Quietway routes are being officially opened today as part of our growing network across the capital. Given the damaging impact toxic air has on our city, it is vital that we do all we can to enable more Londoners to cycle and reduce journeys by car.

“The latest figures show that Quietways are leading to a big increase in cycling with 24,000 bike journeys on Quietway 2 within its first week of opening. It is great to see that Londoners of all ages and abilities are embracing the opportunity to ride safely on backstreets and now many more people will be able to benefit.”

Matt Winfield, London Director, Sustrans said:

“It’s fantastic to see another three routes added to the growing Quietways network, making cycling and walking easier, safer and more enjoyable for everyone. As the delivery agent for Quietways, we’re proud that the evidence shows they’re working.

“More and more of us are getting about under our own steam, improving our health and reducing congestion on our roads. But to help solve the capital’s pressing problems, many more of London’s neighbourhoods must be transformed to work better for people walking and cycling. London boroughs, who own most of the streets in the capital, must not shy away from making bold choices to make that possible.”

Watch what people trying out Quietway 2 told us about their first impressions "An eye-opener!” see what people riding on Quietway 1 have to say Find out more about our work in London

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Isle of Man launches £3.8m Active Travel programme

9 October 2018

The Isle of Man Government has launched the start of a new £3.8 million Active Travel programme, led by us, to get more than 20% of people walking and cycling their everyday journeys by 2021.

Our team in the North attended the launch event at Ballakermeen High School on 8 October alongside Isle of Man ministers, leading cyclists Mark Christian, a former Ballakermeen student and Tara Ferguson, who still attends the school, pupils and teachers.

Our role 

We were recruited to work on the four year programme following the approval by the Isle of Man Parliament (Tynwald) of the Island’s first Active Travel Strategy in July. The Strategy aims to increase active travel from 14% of people who said they cycled and walked in 2011.

We will work with the Isle of Man Government to deliver changes such as improved signage, high quality cycle routes and traffic calming. This includes officers who will work directly with local businesses, schools and communities to encourage more people to travel by foot or bicycle.

We will work initially with Ballakermeen High School to help reduce traffic congestion around peak times and look at improved junctions, signs and cycle facilities around the school.

Reactions to the programme

Minister for Education, Sport and Culture Graham Cregeen MHK said:

“I’m pleased that trials are set to take place here at Ballakermeen in relation to crossings, better signage and improved bike facilities. In addition, Sustrans will be working with us to reduce traffic issues at drop-off and pick-up times.

"I am impressed with the focus placed on bicycle maintenance, and perhaps using the skills of community groups such as Men in Sheds. This is a great idea – I’d like to see youth clubs across the Island getting involved as well, as the Active Travel programme develops.”

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer MHK said:

“Providing ways in which people can choose to walk or cycle is at the centre of what we are trying to achieve through Active Travel, and I’m confident Sustrans will help us deliver the aims of the strategy.

"They will be getting to work immediately by committing two staff members in the Island, and looking at the ways in which schools and businesses can play their part in the process right from the start.”

Rosslyn Colderley, our Director in the North said:

“Increasing everyday levels of active travel significantly benefits health and wellbeing, can boost local economies and create more pleasant local environments to live in and travel through.

"We know from our research that when better walking and cycling routes are provided, alongside community engagement programmes, uptake in cycling and walking increases dramatically.

"This is why we’re delighted that the Isle of Man Government is investing in more dedicated cycling and walking routes which help to create low traffic neighbourhoods – where riding a bike or walking become the easiest way of travelling for short journeys.”

Kate Lord-Brennan, Member with responsibility for Active Travel, said:

“Enabling young people to walk and cycle to and from school will help enormously over the long-term, with regard to health benefits and general wellbeing.

"The importance of maintaining a healthy weight from an early age was highlighted in the Director of Public Health’s annual report earlier this year, and I look forward to Active Travel encouraging people to live healthier lives.”

Check out more examples of our work on infrastructure, schools and workplaces

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Feet First Families launched in Hereford

8 October 2018

We are very excited about the launch of the Feet First Families initiative in Hereford.

We will be delivering free walking activities and promotions to schools and colleges in the Hereford area. The initiative is part of the Active Schools project in the city which is funded by Herefordshire Council and aims to get more young people walking, scooting and cycling to school.

The launch of the scheme coincides with International Walk to School Month, so we are inviting schools and colleges in the area to get involved. As part of the programme there are a number of activities which Sustrans can deliver which include:

Safer route to schools Air Quality and Geography Walks Bespoke Walk to School Mapping Park and Stride Promotions and Competitions School Car Park Takeovers Litter Picking Walks Clean Air Day Walks and Air Quality Monitoring

If that wasn’t exciting enough, parents and pupils can enter a social media competition to win a Micro Scooter worth £100. Five lucky recipients will receive one simply by walking to school as many times as possible in October and sharing the photographic evidence. Participants are asked to post their photos on Sustrans’ West Midlands Facebook page or tweet them to @SustransWMids quoting #FeetFirstFamiliesHereford and stating the name of their school. 

Commenting on the project Sustrans Delivery Co-ordinator, West Midlands, Tim Egan said:

“There are a number of benefits to active travel including healthier pupils, reduced traffic congestion levels and improved air quality. As October is International Walk to School Month there’s no better time to ditch the car and get active! The Feet First Families initiative makes it easier than ever for parents, pupils to walk, cycle and scoot in on the morning run and it couldn’t be easier for schools and colleges to sign up. We can deliver a range of fun and exciting activities and there’s even the chance to win a Micro Scooter.”

To sign up to the free Feet First Families programme schools and colleges should contact Sustrans Active Schools Officer, Steve Genner

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Government action off track with policies on climate change - Sustrans responds to the IPCC report

8 October 2018

Responding to the report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which for the first time outlines the impact of global warming of 1.5C, Andy Cope, Director of Insight at Sustrans, walking and cycling charity said:

“This report provides a much-needed call to action for the UK Government to urgently transform the way we move in cities, if we are to avert the dramatic impacts of global warming. This is something we have been advocating for a while.

“New evidence suggests that even more comprehensive changes in our relationship with transport are needed if we are limit the worst effects of climate change, with a shift away from the car to walking and cycling being one of the most effective solutions. Without these changes, we risk irreparable damage to the environment, and to society.

“Currently, the UK Government policies are off track with this evidence. If the UK is to make its contribution to worldwide efforts to stave off the very worst effects of climate change, we need to act fast on UK transport policy, and to urgently rebalance transport investment patterns. We need to cease investment in transport solutions that serve an historic and damaging paradigm and prioritise walking and cycling.”

Read Andy Cope’s latest blog on City Metric "To combat climate change, we need radical changes in the way we commute”

For more information and interviews contact:
Anna Galandzij, Senior Press Officer at Sustrans, 07557 915 648, anna.galandzij@sustrans.org.uk
Liv Denne, Press and Media Officer at Sustrans, 07768 035318, liv.denne@sustrans.org.uk

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