A joint event with Urban Design Group to launch two new guides on low-traffic neighbourhoods and to discuss latest practice in creating people-friendly streets. Book here.
31 January 2019 – 6:00pm for 6:30pm – 8:15pm
The Gallery, 70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ
The idea of low-traffic neighbourhoods is coming to the fore in answer to concerns over the pervasive impact of vehicles: health impacts from lack of activity, air pollution, danger of death and injury to pedestrians and cyclists and disturbed sleep from noise and vibration. There is also the general “uglification” of streets with pavement space, trees, and verges sacrificed to make way for additional carriageway width and parking.
Fear of death and injury from traffic has cast a shadow over the lives of much of the population. Around half of adults believe their local streets are too dangerous to cycle on. The freedoms of children are curtailed, as parents seek to keep them safe, though there is an emerging debate over whether highway authorities could be held negligent for failing to secure the safety of secondary and primary school age children travelling independently to school.
Low traffic neighbourhoods where through motor traffic has to use main distributor and cannot use local roads as a rat run (though there is access to people’s homes) are an emerging answer to these problems. The initial evidence is compelling.
The event will examine:
- what lessons can be drawn from existing low traffic neighbourhoods; and
- the steps a local authority or local community should take in trying to introduce low traffic neighbourhoods in their own areas.
Living Streets and London Cycling Campaign have co-published two booklets on low-traffic neighbourhoods, which will also be officially launched and available at the event. They can be downloaded here.
Speakers to include:
- Feryal Demirci, deputy mayor of Hackney, and cabinet member for health, social care, transport and parks
- Rachel Aldred, reader in transport, University of Westminster on the evidence base for low traffic neighbourhoods
- Fran Graham, London Cycling Campaign
- Dulwich Safer Routes to School
- Chris Martin, Urban Movement
This meeting is for campaigners, transport planners, and local councillors looking to find practical ways to make a real difference to Londoners’ lives.
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/low-traffic-neighbourhoods-tickets-54583317171
Reduced rates for Living Streets and UDG members
London Living Streets 