Haringey lagging behind inner London on sustainable transport

New data shows how borough compares to others in London, reports Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

Haringey has underperformed on efforts to boost walking and cycling compared to other inner London boroughs, according to an analysis of new data.

The London Healthy Streets Scorecard Coalition ranks the borough 13th in the capital and one of the lowest inner-London boroughs when it comes to measures taken to increase sustainable transport.

It comes after Haringey was re-designated an inner-London borough by the coalition to match Transport for London’s classification system.

The coalition, which is made up of green and sustainable transport groups, revealed protected cycle tracks cover only 3% of Haringey’s roads, and low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) make up just 17% of suitable street area.

It performs better on 20mph zones, which cover 93.5% of borough-managed roads, and controlled parking zones, which have been introduced in 67% of roads.

The coalition claimed other boroughs had taken “much more action”, and that while Haringey had “promised much” on active travel over the past few years, there had been “little sign of delivery”.

Islington, the top-ranked borough, has 36% of suitable borough roads in LTNs, 97% of streets with 20mph speed limits, and controlled parking in all streets, according to the coalition’s healthy streets scorecard.

Haringey Council has recently been engaging with communities on three proposed LTNs and plans to consult on a walking and cycling action plan later this year.

Mike Hakata, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, transport and the climate emergency, said: “Our new administration is on a mission to make this a walking, cycling and bussing borough, with schemes prioritising areas of need.  

“We have already implemented eleven school streets, with many more to follow, and have undertaken a trailblazing engagement and co-design exercise for three large low-traffic neighbourhoods. We are perfecting our existing cycle lanes and will be constructing many more over the coming year.  

“All these initiatives will play a critical role in supporting a green recovery from the pandemic and achieving our ambition of tackling the climate emergency and becoming a net-zero borough by 2041.”