Street enhanced by traffic management lauded at urban academy awards

The benefits of pedestrian-friendly streets and innovative traffic management measures were recognised at an awards ceremony staged by built environment network The Academy of Urbanism on Wednesday night.  

Among the winners was Wood Street in Walthamstow, north-east London, which took the Great Street award. The judging panel noted “traffic management had made the street more attractive to all”. Wood Street has been given a new lease of life in recent year thanks to £1.5m funding from the Mayor of London, £2m from Transport for London and £425,000 from the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

The cash boost enabled repaving, lighting, shopfront improvements and art-led regeneration schemes such as Wood Street Walls, a collective that paints large murals. TfL implemented a 20mph traffic scheme, including reduced kerbs, wider footways, street trees and granite paving. 

Wood Street was among 150 nominations in the Great Street category and beat the shortlisted Lark Lane in Liverpool and Newry Street in Banbridge in Northern Ireland.

Wood Street is made up of mainly independent businesses and features an indoor market comprising 25 units.

The assessment team, led by architect Alistair Barr, praised Wood Street for “its diversity of retail and social enterprise as well as the sense of discovery from hidden avenues that make the street inviting and refreshing”. 

Barr said: “The proximity of great places to shop, walk, cycle, and play reduces the need for car trips within a densely populated area and Wood Street’s wide range of shops, and the Post Office and primary school aids this.” 

Steven Bee, chair of the academy, said: “Recovering from the riots of five years ago, the local authority and community representatives have worked hard to reshape and redefine Wood Street as a successful, safe and attractive local centre. 

“Traffic management has made the street more attractive to all and especially to those using the school buildings at either end. Local community and arts initiatives create a distinctive atmosphere and attract an enviable diversity of businesses that serve local people and bring in others from a wider area. A worthy winner indeed.”

Clare Coghill, Waltham Forest’s cabinet member for Economic Growth and High Streets, said: “Wood Street has a fantastic range of shops and facilities and a wonderful community spirit, so it’s great to see it getting recognised as the great street that it truly is.

“The council has invested heavily in our town centres in recent years, and Wood Street is a fine example of where we spent our own money but also attracted significant external funding for improvements which have really made a difference to the area.”

The Great Street award is one of five presented annually by The Academy of Urbanism to celebrate the best urban environments. Each award covers social, economic and environmental factors including governance, commercial success, health and wellbeing. 

Copenhagen was crowned European City of the Year at awards ceremony, which took place at the offices of property company U+I in London.

The Danish capital was ranked above the other shortlisted cities of Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Montpellier, France, after assessment visits and subsequent vote by the academy.

The Great Town award went to Clonakilty in Ireland, beating Blackpool and Todmorden.

Bristol self-build development, Ashley Vale, won The Great Neighbourhood award while the Great Place award was collected by the regenerated historic Viking Triangle in Waterford, Ireland.