Healthy Streets Scorecard reveals huge contrasts across the capital

More than two-thirds (70%) of streets in Hackney now have Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), compared with just 4% of streets in Bexley, reveals the new Healthy Streets Scorecard published today.

The Scorecard, published by a coalition of organisations, ranks London boroughs on how healthy their streets are according to nine indicators including LTNs, bus priority measures, School Streets, Controlled Parking Zones and 20mph limits.

There are no School Streets in Bexley, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Sutton compared with 49% of schools in Islington.

Furthermore, almost 60% of London boroughs have 20mph speed limits on 100 borough managed roads. By contrast, just 5% of Barnet’s roads have a 20mph limit.

New data shows a wide variation in the proportion of bus routes prioritised. In Hackney, Islington and Lambeth, 40-50% of routes are prioritised whereas just 1% are prioritised in Bexley.

Research also showed that the total number of cars registered in London fell by 1.5%, or 38,923 cars, despite London’s population increasing by 1.22%. There were particularly significant falls in car ownership in Newham (4%), Southwark (3.7%), Camden (3.2%), and Waltham Forest (2.9%). 

Road danger is shown to be not reducing fast enough, as road casualties in 2021 among cyclists and those using “other vehicles” (such as e-scooters) were above pre-pandemic levels. There were 3,581 fatal and serious reported road casualties in 2021, an increase of 511 from 2020.

A Healthy Scorecard coalition spokesperson said: “These results raise serious concerns about worsening health inequities as the gap widens between highest and lowest scoring boroughs.

“In spite of difficulties, some boroughs have still managed to make progress. With the top scorers continuing to demonstrate it’s possible to deliver Healthy Streets and transport decarbonisation amid a funding crisis, and in an election year - the question remains, why are others not delivering?”

The members of the Healthy Streets Scorecard Coalition are: CPRE London; London Living Streets; London Cycling Campaign; Sustrans;  Possible; RoadPeace; Wheels for Wellbeing; Future Transport London

https://www.healthystreetsscorecard.london/results