Norwich and Hemel are streets ahead

Norwich and Hemel are streets ahead

- English Heritage Highlights Schemes Helping to
- Make Better Streets -

LONDON. June 17, 2008/3mnewswire.org/ -- Major success stories in reducing street clutter, improving street design and reinforcing the distinctive nature of our towns, cities and villages are being highlighted today (Tuesday, 17 June) by English Heritage's Save our Streets campaign.

English Heritage has published Streets for All: Practical Case Studies aimed at encouraging more councils and highway departments to follow the shining example of ten outstanding "street-scape" projects from across the country.

They include a pioneering project to implement improved lighting and CCTV equipment sympathetically within Hemel Hempstead's historic Old Town, and a scheme to successfully remove guardrails at crossings along the Prince of Wales Road in Norwich.

English Heritage launched its Save our Streets campaign in 2004 and since then many councils have removed unnecessary signs, poles, bollards, barriers and road markings.

Forward thinking, coupled with detailed planning in Hemel Hempstead resulted in the creation of a lighting and CCTV strategy that helped enhance the redevelopment of the old town area. Aesthetically pleasing lighting columns and lanterns were introduced alongside CCTV equipment designed to complement the historic environment. Not only have these new measures improved the look of the street scene, they have also dramatically increased lighting levels for clear CCTV coverage. This has successfully contributed towards a reduction in local crime, as well as attracting new businesses to the formerly vacant properties.

In Norwich an innovative scheme, which saw the redesign of crossings and removal of guard railings, freed up pedestrian accessibility and contributed to a significant reduction of accidents. The project involved the implementation of puffin traffic signals, road narrowing and widening of crossing points. Street space was successfully remodelled to transform and revitalise the area.

Greg Luton, Regional Director of English Heritage in the East region, said:
"The response to our Save Our Streets campaign has been tremendous. Lots of councils up and down England are keen to do the right thing, though street improvement schemes can take a long time to achieve. The councils responsible for the case studies we are highlighting today deserve congratulations because they have carefully worked out the procedures for minimising clutter, using existing regulations and guidance and they are prepared to share their knowledge with others. We know that other councils will be inspired by their example and that many are currently working on good schemes of their own."

Local authorities are increasingly recognising that improving the streets brings a range of benefits to everyone. Local businesses report better trade, more people are encouraged to walk and cycle, the streets become safer, more sociable places, and the historic character of an area is enhanced rather than degraded.

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said:
"The Department for Transport is committed to helping local authorities create high quality street environments and so was delighted to work with English Heritage on this important Streets for All project. These leaflets provide practical advice for local authorities about the small things they can do to make a real difference to our local historic streets, whether by restoring historic surfaces or removing excessive numbers of lamp posts by fixing lights to buildings."

Streets for All, Practical Case Studies consists of a summary document plus ten leaflets, each on a different aspect of making better streets and each featuring a town or city where this has been put into practice. Aimed at local authorities and highways engineers, each leaflet contains detailed advice on issues to be considered, procedures to go through and lists relevant documents and legislation. They help practitioners understand the key elements that make up successful streetscape management.

The sorts of issues tackled by councils which feature in Streets for All, Practical Case Studies include reducing white lines, putting signs on buildings so that poles can be removed and taking away guardrails which, research proves, can actually make roads less dangerous. The case studies also look at the use of historic street surfaces such as cobbles and stone paving flagstones which slow traffic, "match" the buildings around them and have cultural meaning for local people, how to sensitively introduce tactile paving into historic areas and how to involve the local community in a street audit.

Streets for All: Practical Case Studies demonstrates clearly that there is growing momentum behind the movement to improve our streets. In publishing them, English Heritage has the support not only of the Department for Transport, but also of The Institute of Highways and Transportation, CABE Space and the Campaign for Protection of Rural England, which has its own continuing campaign to reduce sign clutter.

Copies of Streets for All: Practical Case Studies, the summary document and ten leaflets, plus English Heritage's previous publications Save Our Streets and the Streets for All headline document and its nine regional manuals can be found at http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/streetsforall or requested from English Heritage Customer Services on 0870 3331181, email customers@english-heritage.org.uk

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