City of London vows further focus on pedestrians and cyclists following gains

The City of London air quality is improving and the number of serious injuries on its streets have fallen, due in part to its Transport Strategy of 2019.

Keen to build on those achievements, The City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee has this week approved changes to its Transport Strategy, which is now even more acutely focused on the needs of people walking and wheeling, it said.

Since the pandemic, pedestrians and cyclists trips have increasingly made up the majority of journeys through and within the Square Mile, said the Corporation, advising on these changes:

• Working to deliver streets that are more inclusive and accessible for people of all ages and abilities – taking an increased focus on how we work with people to design streets and spaces as well as the end result.
• Making the most efficient and effective use of street space by reducing motor traffic, including the number of delivery and servicing vehicles;
• Working to ensure that no one is killed or seriously injured while travelling on its streets, including through measures to deliver safer streets and reduce speeds;
• Enabling more people to choose to cycle and scooter by making conditions for cycling in the Square Mile safer and more pleasant; and
• Improving air quality and reducing noise, including by encouraging and enabling the switch to zero emission capable vehicles.

Improvement works to King Street are now complete to make walking safer and ease crowding, with wider pavements, improved crossing facilities and traffic now one-way northbound. 18 months of major reconstruction works started in July on King William Street [pictured] to make walking, cycling and bus journeys better with expanded pavements, better crossings, new trees and new seating.

The Transport Strategy has been closely aligned with the City Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy. Climate resilience and greening works are both progressing and being completed at locations across the Square Mile, for instance, to combat future risk of flooding, the Bevis Marks Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) scheme was completed in June 2023, whilst the greening of Cheapside is underway and the relandscaping of Jubilee Gardens has begun. Accessibility around the City is improved every year, with this year seeing a further nine locations now benefitting from new raised crossings.

The moves fit into the City of London’s City Plan 2040, which aims to make the city a sustainable place to do business.

Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, Shravan Joshi, said: “As footfall across the City of London continues to rise, it is vital that our Transport Strategy ensures that it is a safer and more pleasant environment for everyone to travel through. With our refreshed strategy we can continue to improve the Square Mile for everyone.

“We know that our strategy is making a difference. Our streets are safer with the latest figures showing the lowest number of serious injuries on our streets since records began. Our air quality is improving, too. When we first published our strategy in 2019, 15 locations across the City exceeded our air quality objective for toxic Nitrogen Dioxide. Last year this figure was down to two.”