Islington’s people-friendly street trial within the Amwell neighbourhood has resulted in a 44% reduction in traffic on local roads, according to a monitoring report released by the council.
People-friendly streets are designed to create healthier areas where it is easier for everyone to exercise, it has been introduced in the London borough as an 18-month trial.
Comparing data from September 2020 – prior to the scheme’s introduction in November 2020 – with data from May 2021, the report shows that cycling rose by 149% westbound on Margery Street.
The peer-reviewed Amwell monitoring report also found the scheme led to a 47% fall in the rate of speeding within the neighbourhood, while London Fire Brigade response times were not affected.
Furthermore, traffic on boundary roads negligibly rose while air quality data in the neighbourhood and on boundary roads followed borough wide trends showing a fall in nitrogen dioxide levels.
The council said this positive data from the Amwell report for follows similarly encouraging reports on the St Peter’s, Canonbury East and Clerkenwell Green neighbourhoods.
Rowena Champion, Islington council’s executive member for environment and transport, said: “We are facing a climate emergency, and we know that action is required to make Islington a safer, greener, healthier place as part of our ambition to achieve net zero carbon status by 2030.
“That is why we have been introducing people-friendly streets neighbourhood trials in Islington, and the schemes make it easier than ever to walk and cycle, improve air quality, and make our roads safer.”
Public consultations are being held 12 months into each scheme, the council is also publishing monitoring reports six months and 12 months into each scheme to keep local people informed about the impact of the trials.
