sustainable transport strategy 2006 –2016 chapter 8 transport...

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SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT STRATEGY 2006 –2016

CHAPTER 8 TRANSPORT IMPLICATIONS OF THEA1 BOROUGH STRATEGY

1.0 The A1 in Context1.1 The council is developing a strategy to transform the A1 corridor. The corridor is approximately 10km

long, running from Goswell Road in the south, to Archway in the north (Figure 8.1). The section to theNorth of Goswell Road is part of the Transport for London road network.

1.2 The corridor is home to many diverse communities who carry out their daily lives in its surroundings.The borough’s main town centres are also located in the corridor.

1.3 The A1 is a major traffic artery serving Central London. It is also the single largest public space inIslington.

1.4 In many places, the dominance of road traffic and the poor quality of the local environment severelylimit opportunities to use the street as public space. Furthermore, the street acts as a significantphysical and psychological barrier to east-west pedestrian movement. Consultation with localresidents suggests that this barrier severs local communities and limits access to services andfacilities.

1.5 However, the street is one of the most diverse and fast changing areas of London. The A1 servessome of the largest and most exciting regeneration opportunities in London. Substantial high density,mixed use developments are proposed for Archway, the Arsenal and Holloway area, and HighburyCorner. The corridor also serves the EC1 New Deal regeneration area and the Kings Cross to FinsburyPark regeneration swathe.

1.6 As a result of these changes, enormous sums of public and private money will be invested in the A1corridor over the next decade or so. The council hopes that preparation of a strategy for the A1 willstimulate a dialogue with local stakeholders and lead to an agreed framework for the area. Thisframework will help to coordinate and make the best use of investment. By publicising opportunities, itis also hoped that the framework will encourage additional investment in the area.

1.7 In particular, the council has looked at how it can make the street a better place for pedestrians. Thishas led us to rethink the street and to come up with ideas to:

• improve the street environment by focussing on those aspects that matter most to local people andbusinesses – cleanliness, personal security, and safety

• transform it from a traffic corridor to a series of attractive and vital public spaces

• join up both sides of the corridor to improve local access to services and facilities

1.8 Consultation on the draft strategy to transform the A1 will begin in June 2005, and the outcome of thisconsultation will be reflected in the final version of the Sustainable Transport Strategy.

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A1 BOROUGH

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Figure 8.1

This map is reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright.Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. London Borough of Islington LA086452 2005

Archway

Whittington Park

Nags Head

Holloway Road

Highbury and Islington

Angel

Goswell Road

Old Street



2.0 A Vision for Improvement2.1 The A1 Borough project is one of the council’s flagship projects that will deliver its vision of ‘One

Islington’. This is to make Islington a place:

• with thriving, active and cohesive communities where people have jobs and work

• where business flourishes

• where residents and visitors alike enjoy a wide range of high quality commercial and public services

• above all - where people come together with a common purpose, despite their differences

2.2 The council is delivering ‘One Islington’ by focussing on four corporate priorities:

1. Regeneration2. Sustainability3. Focusing on customer needs4. Performance improvement

.3 ‘One Islington’ will also be made a reality through a wide range of transformation projects benefitingthe whole borough including the A1 Borough project.

Regeneration

2.4 We have already seen that the A1 corridor links most of the key regeneration opportunities in Islington.The planned transformation of the road will stimulate regeneration by improving the local streetenvironment particularly for pedestrians.

2.5 The strategy therefore recognises the economic importance of the pedestrian. Evidence from Islingtonand elsewhere in London indicates that retail centres will struggle without high levels of pedestrianfootfall. A key aim of the strategy is to increase pedestrian volumes in our shopping and commercialareas, and to encourage people to stay longer.

2.6 The strategy will also exploit longer term redevelopment opportunities to remove some of the longstanding physical and social barriers created by the road.

Sustainability

2.7 The population of Islington is projected to increase by 20% in the period up to 2021. Most of thisgrowth will take place in and around the A1 Corridor. The average density of new dwellings in Islingtonis 122 dwellings per hectare. This is more than double the current housing density of 56 dwellings perhectare. It also nearly two and a half times greater than the current London average for new dwellings.This growth represents a substantial challenge for local services. This is particularly true of the localtransport network that already suffers from some of the highest congestion levels in London.Islington’s car density is already amongst the highest in London. This strategy therefore seeks toreduce reliance on motorised travel by making it easier for people to access services and facilities onfoot.

2.8 However, sustainability is not just about the environment, it is also about how local people interact withtheir environment. A high degree of community involvement is integral to the successful delivery of thestrategy. The aim is to make people proud of their local area by:

The One Islington vision is the basis of this entire Sustainable Transport Strategy and is discussed in more detail inchapter 3

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• getting them directly involved in caring for it and shaping its future• improving and creating public spaces where people can engage positively with their neighbours

Focusing on Customer Needs

2.9 The A1 strategy came about because local people told the council that it should make local streetscleaner, safer and more attractive.

2.10 The strategy therefore focuses on those local environmental issues that people tell us matter most andmost want to see improved:

• reducing fear of crime and anti-social behaviour• removing litter and graffiti• providing attractive and cared for public spaces including green spaces

2.11 The strategy will only succeed if it reflects the needs and aspirations of local communities andbusiness people. They need to feel proud of their street – as if they own it. This will only happen if theyfeel actively involved in making decisions about its future. We hope continuous consultation andengagement throughout the lifetime of the strategy will encourage this sense of ownership.

2.12 In addition, particular effort has also been made to engage with people who do not normally getinvolved in consultation with council strategies.

3.0 A1 Borough - Core Principles3.1 To help us understand this enormous and complex space and to plan for its future, we have broken

the space down into

• four character reaches – the aim of our strategy is to provide a coherent and unified approach tothe street environment whilst at the same time protecting and enhancing distinctive localcharacteristics and qualities. These four character reaches are shown on Figure 8.2.

• eight meeting places – these are eight key locations on the corridor that act as centres of activityfor local people and gateways to Islington (including the Underground stations at the Angel,Highbury and Islington, Holloway Road, and Archway) – not all of these function well as publicspaces or as points of arrival. Consultation indicates that local people are strongly attached to theirlocal centres and feel very passionate about the quality of the local environment in these centres.The strategy proposes the creation of eight new public spaces at these locations. These are shownon Figure 8.3.

• eight stitches - these are locations where there are substantial barriers to east-west pedestrianmovement that need to resolved. However, these are also areas where there are opportunities toimprove links into the meeting places. These opportunities arise either through redevelopment andregeneration or by linking up and improving existing green spaces and other public spaces. Theseare shown on Figure 8.4.



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LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 2006 –20016

CHAPTER TITLESUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT STRATEGY 2006 –2016

CHARACTER REACHES that glue the 8 ‘SLICES’ and ‘SPACES’ together

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Figure 8.2

A. Upper Holloway RoadArchway to Nags Head

B. Lower Holloway RoadNags Head to Highburyand Islington

C. Upper StreetHighbury and Islington to Angel

D. Goswell RoadAngel to City


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D

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MEETING SPACES where these slices intersect the A1

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Figure 8.3

1. Archway Hub

2. Whittington Park

3. The Nags Head

4. Holloway Road Hub

5. Highbury and Islington Hub

6. Angel Hub

7. Goswell

8. Islington Gateway


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SLICES OF LIFE

Figure 8.4

1. Archway HubHighgate Hill to TollhouseWay

2. Whittington ParkTufnell Park to CornwallisSquare

3. The Nags HeadSeven Sisters Road to Parkhurst Road

4. Holloway Road HubThe new ‘Arsenal’ andDrayton Park to Vision7

5. Highbury and Islington HubHighbury Fields to Highbury Corner

6. Angel HubRegents Canal throughChapel Market to Regents Canal again

7. GoswellExmouth Market throughNorthampton Square to Goswell Park

8. Islington GatewayClerkenwell Road meetsGoswell Road


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3.2 With funds made available from the Government’s Neighborhood Renewal Fund, the council is alreadyworking with partners including Islington Strategic Partnership, the Metropolitan Police, the CentralLondon Partnership and Transport for London to deliver improvements to the A1. We therefore need toensure that what is being done now supports and sustains our longer term objectives. We thereforepropose a number of core principles that will underpin everything that happens in the corridor.

1. Clean A1

3.3 The A1 is often perceived as polluted, dirty, noisy, and cluttered. Cleaning it up and keeping it clean istherefore a key priority. This will involve:

• Improving litter and graffiti removal

• Enforcement and awareness campaigns to reduce rubbish and graffiti

• Reducing street clutter

• Reducing air pollution both indoors and out

• Reducing traffic noise and air pollution

• Tackling dog fouling especially in parks and open spaces

3.4 Projects on the ground will include

• A dedicated A1 Clean Team• An enforcement ambassador to work with local businesses and communities• Distribution of graffiti kits to local businesses• The provision of more litter bins along the A1

2. Safe A1

3.5 Improving safety means:

• Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour• Creating busy and welcoming public spaces • Improving street lighting in public spaces • Designing out opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour• Reducing road accidents – particularly those involving vulnerable road users • Reducing rough sleeping, street begging and illegal street trading• Building closer links between the police and local communities• CCTV where appropriate


• Rough sleepers initiative to find long term solutions to help people to get off the streets • Joint project with the police to tackle illegal street trading at the Nags Head• CCTV in the Nags Head Shopping Centre• Local Police are setting up six 'Safer Neighbourhood Teams' to improve community policing• Safer routes to public transport on the Bemerton Estate



3. Green A1

3.7 We want to make the A1 a 'Green Corridor' in every sense of the word. This involves:

• Improving local parks and open spaces• Using local parks and open spaces to connect up the corridor• Opening up and providing access to ‘Hidden Corners’ – neglected yet valuable spaces• Providing new trees and other plants on the street• Supporting and encouraging wildlife • Using robust and sustainable technologies, techniques and materials


• Improvements to several local parks including Whittington and Whitehall Parks• 100 new street trees in 2004-5• 500 bat boxes and bird boxes along the A1• Sustainable energy pilots

4. Healthy A1

3.9 People living along busy roads are at greater risk from air and noise pollution, traffic accidents, andsocial isolation. Improving the A1 street can tackle poor health by:

• Encouraging active lifestyles – getting people to walk and cycle more often• Increasing participation in sport• Improving air quality and noise levels• Improving road safety• Building cohesive communities • Improving access to local hospitals and health facilities on foot, and by bike and public transport


• Green travel plans to encourage people to walk and cycle• Improvements to the Archway ball court linked to a Football Foundation training programme

5. Smart A1

3.11 Improved access to education and learning will enable local people to benefit from future changes inthe A1 Corridor. At the moment the A1 is predominantly about moving people and goods. We want tomake it a place for moving information and for using new ideas and knowledge to help the localeconomy. This means:

• Linking up the many educational institutions on and around the corridor – schools, libraries, galleriesand universities

• Promoting the A1 as the borough's linear university campus centre• Supporting opportunities for improved access to learning• Showcasing useful technology promoting access for all


• An awareness and education programme for all schools along the A1 – engaging local schools withissues such as litter, graffiti, dog fouling and anti social behaviour at bus stops

• Improving access to the internet via on-street kiosks

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6.Timed A1

3.13 We want the A1 corridor to act as a focal point for all ages and groups of the community. However, atpresent it acts mainly as place that people pass through. In many places and at many times of theday, it has lost its function as a public space. A recent Christmas Market at Archway has proved thatwith a bit of imagination, it is possible to bring life back into a desolate space and create an event forthe local community to come together. The council is consulting on and developing an events strategyto look at how theA1 street and surrounding areas can be used in different ways during differentseasons, months, festivals and times of day.

7.Trading A1

3.14 The A1 possess an incredibly rich and diverse range of shops, restaurants, bars, pubs and otherbusinesses. These range from small local businesses, niche shopping areas, markets, second handstores, to chain stores and supermarkets. The A1 strategy can support local businesses by:

• Providing safer, cleaner and more attractive shopping areas • Joining up both sides of the town centres by improving pedestrian crossings in the Angel and at the

Nags Head• neighbours

3.15 Ongoing initiatives to support these aims include

• Town centre managers in the Angel and the Nags Head• Marketing and promotion local businesses and attractions through the publication of a business

directory on the council’s pedestrian maps• New traders kiosks along the A1• Heritage shop front improvements

8. Creative A1

3.16 The A1 corridor is a rich cultural and artistic resource not just for Islington but the whole of London.This resource is not just about the many and varied local and world famous attractions located on thecorridor. Islington is home to many creative people and businesses and has a diverse and multicultural community. We want to support local attractions and creative industries on the A1. We alsowant to use local skills and talent to improve and enliven public spaces along and around the corridor.The development of the events strategy will enable the council to engage with art providers and usersto find out how we can do this (see ‘Shared A1’). Many of the measures that the council is takingforward to make the A1 cleaner and safer will also encourage more people to use local arts venues.

9. Accessible A1

3.17 The main purpose of the street is to get people from A to B and back again. However, at presentthrough traffic is given priority over local journeys and the street is a hostile and sometimes dangerousplace for pedestrians and cyclists. Many disabled people and younger and older people find it difficultif not sometimes impossible to move along the street. Considering the needs of disabled, older andyounger people ultimately leads to improved mobility for everyone.

3.18 The tube and rail stations along the A1 provide key gateways into the borough – although theenvironment and public spaces around them are often disappointing and unwelcoming.



3.19 We want to make the street accessible and welcoming to everyone including the majority of people inIslington who do not own a car. The vast majority of journeys that are made in Islington are short localjourneys on foot and we want to give greater priority to these journeys.


• Pedestrian wayfinding scheme to make it easier for pedestrians to find their way around• Street clutter removal – removing redundant objects that reduce pavement space and sightlines• DisabledGo! – an access information guide for disabled people• Plusbus – a dedicated service for people who have problems using mainstream services• Promotion of green travel plans to local businesses

10. Shared A1

3.21 The main challenge of the strategy is to give greater priority to pedestrians and cyclists withoutreducing the ability of the A1 to carry people into and out of Central London or displacing traffic ontolocal streets.

3.22 We do not therefore propose the physical removal of space from the road or closing roads. Futureproposals need to provide shared solutions, shared surfaces, common ground, borrowed space,integrating pedestrians, cycles, buses and cars.

11. Diverse A1

3.23 The A1 is one of the most diverse and fast changing part of London. This diversity of people andplaces is one of the corridor’s greatest assets. Future changes must retain, respect, respond to andharness this diversity.

3.24 This involves engaging with and involving local people every step of the way. It is also about fosteringcivic pride. Volunteer projects have been set up to involve local people n caring for their local openspace and cleaning up ‘grot-spots’.

12.Testing A1

3.25 Where things aren't working we should try to make them work. This does not mean taking up everyfashion or fad. However, it does mean moving with the times and trying new ideas. Big challengessometimes require bold and courageous solutions.

3.26 Testing what appear to be 'radical' ideas through temporary schemes is a quick way to gainknowledge and get feedback from local communities.

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4.0 Our Approach4.1 This strategy is therefore about:

• Launching a first series of pilot projects to test the strategy • Championing new designs and techniques• Being A1 at innovation• Prioritising the Pedestrian

4.2 The strategy seeks to balance the role of the street as a major public space with its role as a key routeinto Central London. Opportunities to reduce the people carrying capacity of the road are likely to belimited. Furthermore, such a reduction would not benefit local people if vehicles are simply displacedto adjoining residential areas. A range of solutions are therefore being evaluated. They include

• improvements to change the way in which pedestrians and other users perceive the street• the creation of shared pedestrian and vehicular spaces• changes in the layout of the street that are balanced by measures to protect sensitive areas for

example at Archway and Highbury Corner

A1 Partnering

4.3 Key to the success of the project is successful partnering. One of our strategic partners is Transportfor London (TfL), who manage the A1. TfL are already undertaking numerous schemes along thecorridor. Islington is working closely with TfL and wishes to maintain and improve the existingrelationship and ensure that improvements are made to the corridor that are consistent with TfLobjectives.

4.4 A high-level partnership board has been set up to steer the project. It includes senior managers frompublic sector agencies such as the police, Primary Care Trust and LDA, local businesses, landownersand developers, members of the local community, and experts from the architecture and urbanismsectors. The board represents a commitment from the key agencies to work together to identify andachieve shared goals.

5.0 Conclusion5.1 Consultation on the draft A1 Strategy will be launched on 2 June 2005. Following consultation, a

revised strategy will be presented to the council’s Executive in Autumn 2005. Additional funds havebeen secured from the council and Islington Strategic Partnership and work to deliver the coreprinciples contained in the draft strategy will continue.

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