Seven London boroughs compete for £114 million Liveable Neighbourhoods cash

Seven London boroughs are vying for a share of £114 million in funding to help boost cycling, walking and use of public transport in their local areas.

Projects that could benefit from the money include one in the historic town centre of Greenwich which will remove the gyratory there and provide a safe through cycle route, and the introduction of a protected two-way cycle lane on Hackney’s Mare Street.

The boroughs shortlisted for the proposed funding, which falls under the Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, was announced today by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TfL).

Besides Greenwich and Hackney, boroughs in with a chance of securing funding are Haringey, Havering, Lewisham and Waltham Forest.

The latter, together with Enfield and Kingston-upon-Thames, was in 2014 awarded a share of £90 million in ‘Mini Holland’ cash having beaten five other shortlisted boroughs to win it.

Each local authority will now be given £1.25 million to develop its proposals further, and a second wave of Liveable Neighbourhoods funding next year will enable other boroughs to put forward their own schemes to try and secure funding.

The shortlisted projects are:

West Ealing, Ealing

Proposals include comprehensive improvements along the Broadway and to parallel quieter routes, reduced rat-running in the adjoining residential areas, parking controls, and new walking and cycling routes, including links to the new Elizabeth line station

Greenwich Town Centre, Greenwich

The scheme aims to transform Greenwich Town Centre by removing the dangerous and intimidating gyratory and providing a much more generous pedestrian environment, in particular on the approach to the World Heritage Site. It will also provide a safe cycling route through the town centre

Hackney Central, Hackney

Key routes in the town centre will be transformed by a reduction in traffic, the introduction of two-way protected cycle lanes on Mare Street, a ban on general traffic at the south end of Amhurst Road, and making three dangerous junctions safer, including Pembury Circus

Crouch End, Haringey

Under the proposals, pedestrian and cycling conditions in Crouch End town centre will be improved to help encourage more active travel in the area, tackling congestion and improving air quality and residents’ well-being. The proposals, which residents will be consulted on, look to create a new square incorporating the clock tower, currently surrounded by traffic on all sides. Segregated cycle routes will feed the town centre, pedestrian crossings will be improved and traffic will be reduced on residential streets with new modal filters

Romford Town Centre, Havering

The project will enable more walking and cycling in Romford town centre by making the busy Ring Road easier to cross on foot and by bike. Existing subways will be replaced by pedestrian and cycle crossings at street level along with new bus lanes and public spaces

Deptford Parks, Lewisham

Streets in North Deptford will see reduced traffic through new restrictions. Walking and cycling will be transformed by a new north-south traffic-free route along the former Grand Surrey Canal, new Copenhagen crossings, cycle parking, and street lighting. New cycle routes through the park will link to the proposed new Bakerloo line station (New Cross Gate)

Coppermill Village, Waltham Forest

The funding will support the regeneration of St James Street and Blackhorse Road and will create access routes to the newly opened Walthamstow Wetlands. Coppermill Lane will be turned into a ‘cycle street’, safer junctions and crossings will be added and the area will be improved with new wayfinding and planting.

Khan said: “As London’s population grows, I’ve outlined my ambition to increase walking and cycling, and improve public spaces across London.

“I’m delighted that we’re now progressing with the local funding that will transform the environment in many local communities.

“Our new Liveable Neighbourhood scheme will see millions of pounds invested in schemes that will directly make walking and cycling a safe, enjoyable and convenient option for many more Londoners – supporting small businesses by making our high streets cleaner, safer and more enjoyable places to spend time.”

He added: “We will continue to work closely with boroughs as they develop their plans to improve the environment and transform the quality of life of Londoners.”

Fran Graham, Campaigns Coordinator at London Cycling Campaign, commented: “We are delighted to see Liveable Neighbourhood funding awarded to seven boroughs this year to create areas that put walking and cycling first.

“This programme – the evolution of the Mini-Holland schemes – is the first step to delivering the promise the Mayor made to our Sign for Cycling campaign, to enable every London borough to have the chance of such a scheme.

“And we are pleased to see how many boroughs want to create neighbourhoods that prioritise walking and cycling over motor traffic, to reduce congestion and air pollution, and help people lead more healthy, active lives.”