Promotion of Walking in London

Richard Smith Head of Business and Consultancy Services

PIMMS Transfer Masterclass, 25 March 2009

Overview

• Introduction

• Central London example

• Wayfinding

• Promotional Campaigns

• Outer London example

Who are Living Streets? Living Streets is the UK

charity that stands up for pedestrians.

With our supporters we work to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk

What do we do in London?

We influence policy makers

We run walking campaigns and projects

We support councils throughtraining and consultancy support

Money for Walking?

• Mayor sets overall transport strategy

• Local councils bid for money each year from Transport for London

• Walking Budget £9M

managed by TfL

Priority Walking Routes

• To shops• Schools• Public Transport• Leisure, health and

community facilities

Also Strategic Walks Network

How is walking being promoted in central London?

The Covent Garden Experience

Community Street Audit

• Evaluated quality of streets from

the viewpoint of people on foot

• Facilitated walkabouts of area with

small groups of local people

• Identified problems and solutions

• Tourist, commercial and social hub in historic area

• High footfall day & night

• Loyal residents & businesses who want to have a say

Community Street Audit Findings: Positives

• Limited width and capacity • Cluttered and variable condition

Key Issues: Footways

“This corner’s a real pig’s ear with all this fencing – you can’t get out”

• Not catering for pedestrian desire lines

• Lack of dropped kerbs

Key Issues: Crossings

“Look at this – I wouldn’t want to be a pedestrian OR a driver here.”

• Wayfinding provision not meeting visitors’ needs

• Alternative routes and attractions not well promoted

Key Issues: Legibility

• Give greater pedestrian priority

• Enhance alternative pedestrian routes

• Promote permeability to provide safe,

pleasant, interesting, direct routes

Key Audit Recommendations

How can you find your way?

• Houses of Parliament to Buckingham Palace?

Public TransportJourney Planner

Walking is fastest 20 minutes

Bus takes over 30 minutes

www.tfl.gov.uk

Route Map

Directions

Start

Finish

WalkingPlanner

Low pollution route option

Fast, medium, slow speed

CO2 Saving

www.walkit.com

New Wayfinding System

• Legible London

• Tested in central London

• Now also in outer London

Promoting Walking to the Public

Public events, festivals, guided walks

Walking Works Living Streets campaign to promote walking to work

Promoting Walking to Work

Aims of Walking Works

• Encourage employees to walk more

as part of daily commute

• Help employers to promote walking

• Share best practice

Walk to Work Week - 27 Apr to 1 May

Participants pledge to take part online www.walkingworks.org.uk

Challenges

1. Walk all or part way to work

2. Go on a walking meeting

3. Take a walk at lunch time

4. Walk with a friend

5. Walk all or part way home

The resources• Promotional materials for sale

• Free materials to support challenges

• Online tool to support participation

• Press Launch of new research

Supporting Employers

• Walking Advice• Maps • Organised Walks• Walking Buddies• Workplace Audit

Walk to School

• Aim to get primary school children and parents to walk to school

• promotes regular physical exercise

• WOW Walk once a week

• www.walktoschool.org.uk

Walk to Secondary School (11-18)• Encourage secondary

school students 11-18to walk more

• Give students the skills to promote walking in their schools

• Share knowledge www.stepup.org.uk

Step Up Activities

• Campaign in a box

• Walking Zone Challenge

• Online Pedometer Game

Improving Walking Links in Outer London

What was good for improving walking links?

Shops nearby

Cluster of Schools & Children’s Centre

Recreation Ground& Canal

Temple

What was not working so well?

Main road difficult to cross

Poor access to housing estates,park and schools

Canal towpath floods

88% for new canal bridge

72% for more estate access

80% would be more satisfied

if Walking Links were better

What did other residents think?

Improvements

Before After

Also new paths and gateways

Improved crossing being investigated

Feedback

• “When I mentioned it a big smile came across the mum's face…much better… made the walk to school easier…

The kids seemed to have more energy to run over the park...great exercise for all! “

• "It's safe and I don't mind crossing it night or day. It's much

better now"

Neighbourhood approach in Brent

Community Street Audit

Report has led to improvements

Walking Map with school

Area Travel Plan developed

ConclusionLondon is leading the way in promoting walking in the UK

by funding infrastructure, information and campaigns

Come to London Olympics 2012 on foot as an active spectator to see more.

www.livingstreets.org.uk

Richard SmithHead of Business and Consultancy Services Living StreetsTel 0191 2457329richard.smith@livingstreets.org.uk

Thank You