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The Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) have announced 11 new successful bids in their multi-million pound Liveable Neighbourhoods programme.
The funding, which has increased from £33 million in November 2017 to £53.4 million this year, will be used to transform local neighbourhoods in inner and outer London, with new walking and cycling infrastructure, new pedestrian crossings and rat runs closed to motor traffic. New pocket parks and revamped public spaces are designed to improve air quality and make local streets more attractive places, helping to support local high streets.
The London boroughs of Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Enfield, Hounslow, Lambeth, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Redbridge and the City of London have all been successful in being awarded funding.
Liveable Neighbourhoods is part of the Mayor’s £2.3 billion overall investment to create ‘Healthy Streets’ across the capital, with the aim of increasing the proportion of people walking, cycling and taking public transport to 80% by 2041, and cut the impact of air pollution in the capital.
Recent TfL research has highlighted the economic benefits of walking and cycling in local areas, with infrastructure improvements such as new cycle routes leading to increased retail spending of up to 30%.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “For too long streets around London have been designed solely around cars and motor traffic. Our £50 million investment will transform neighbourhoods and local town centres in inner and outer London, making them cleaner, greener and more pleasant places to spend time.
“Working with these boroughs to make our streets more welcoming for walking and cycling is vital for our health and wellbeing, but also essential for the future vibrancy and success of London’s local high streets.”
Gareth Powell, TfL’s managing Director for surface transport, said: “Some of London’s streets can be unwelcoming places that feel threatening to the most vulnerable road users, making walking, cycling and using public transport difficult and unattractive. We’re working closely with residents, businesses and boroughs across London to change this.
“Our funding will help to boost health, reduce road danger, clean up some of the capital’s pollution hot spots and revitalise local communities by making streets places where people want to spend time with their friends, families and neighbours.”
