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news
Orford Road Walthamstow Mini HollandMore shoppers, more shops: TfL stats show benefits of designing streets around cyclists and pedestrians
Transport for London (TfL) research shows that improvements that make it easier and safer to walk and cycle in London's high streets lead to more retail space being filled by businesses and a 93 per cent increase in people walking in the streets.
The study, conducted by Matthew Carmona from University College London's Bartlett School of Planning, also found that people walking, cycling and using public transport spend the most in their local shops, spending 40 per cent more each month than car drivers.
The research has been published as part of a new online hub demonstrating the economic benefits of TfL's Healthy Streets Approach. Health Streets aims to create high streets designed for people that are easy to access by foot or bike.
Lilli Matson, Director of Transport Strategy at TfL, said: “This research from our new online hub shows the link between creating enjoyable spaces, where people want to spend time, and the results for better business.”
The study found that compared to unimproved areas:
- Footfall increased – the number of people standing, waiting and sitting nearly doubled and people walking in the streets increased by 93%
- People spent more time in the street, with a 216% increase in activity such as going into a shop, stopping at a café or sitting on a bench
- Retail rental values increased by 7.5%, suggesting that local businesses are thriving in the area
- More retail space was filled by businesses, as there was a 17% decline in retail vacancy
- Office rental values increased by 4%, showing that improving streets is good for many types of business
Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “With businesses across London really struggling to survive, we have to do everything we can to support them.
“The evidence is clear – adapting our streets to enable more people to walk and cycle makes them cleaner, healthier and more welcoming, which encourages more people to shop locally.
“The benefits of designing streets around pedestrians and cyclists and reducing car use can be enjoyed by everyone and will help ensure the future of our high streets.”
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
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7 comments
At least we've deviated from the 'no loitering' that might have been around in the 70's.
I agree with all thats said in the article but the picture shows Walthamstow 'village'... A council experiment and vanity project that benefits very few local people and essentially robbed money given by the Govt to improve cycling infrastructure in the borough in order to pay for it.
Are you an obese car driver with addictions and rising health problems perchance?
Are you an author of this video?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbpxsX7pw2A
Hitler Rant at the Saddle Junction Wigan
This has been a well known effect for many years, but it's good to have it confirmed yet again, as most shop owners seem to think the opposite, that their businesses depend on drivers. Why do so many people think that commerce depends on having a gigantic car park where cyclists and pedestrians aren't welcome, when all the data shows that it just isn't true?
Because people started driving and parking outside shops.
Then roads became less pleasant for pedestrians.
So more people drove instead, becoming even less pleasant etc.
Parking became an issue - your business only got trade if it was easy to park at.
So out of town retail parks sprang up.
High street retailers saw they were losing business because parking easier at the retail parks, so fear that loss of the little parking available near their shop will mean even less custom
But actually, as shown by this study, the cars trying to park (and resulting congestion, fumes, noise, safety issues) were the problem
Seems as if a lot of owners of rather unremarkable shops are utterly convinced that people seek them out from up to 100 miles away, because their particular range of mundane products and unexceptional service is uniquely attractive.
Clearly if people are coming from a vast area to sample the delights of your amazing emporium, rather than just picking the place because it happens to be within walking/cycling distance, they are going to have to drive.