Transport for London (TfL) have adopted the Healthy Streets Approach to improve air quality, reduce congestion and help make London’s diverse communities greener, healthier and more attractive places to live, work and enjoy. The vision for equality and inclusion is that every person matters in keeping London moving, working and growing.
TfL also recognises the role of transport in improving health which is reflected in our strategic goals and business plans. The walking, cycling and using of public transport that Londoners do as part of their everyday routine can deliver economic and social benefits by keeping people active and healthy. It is therefore a priority to maintain access to sustainable transport at all times.
Roadworks and construction activities often cause barriers to access. It is therefore important we ensure all road users are fully considered during traffic management design which should include project objectives that:
- Maintain and facilitate all-inclusive safe walking and cycling during highway interventions
- Change the way works promoters approach design
- Improve public perception of the highway authority and contractor methodology
To incorporate the above objectives, TfL has been working closely with local community groups and contractors to trial Three Tier Assessments on various highway projects.
The objective of this assessment is to ensure that the needs of cyclists and pedestrians of all abilities are taken into account when temporary road layouts are designed around roadworks or construction. Undertaking such an assessment in three tiers (as described below) is being trialled in a number of locations.
Tier 1: Pre-design
The works promoter, contractor and highway authority should walk and cycle the area before any works take place with local community and cycle groups. This is so that the contractor actively experiences and gets a better understanding of the barriers to access people face on a daily basis.
Tier 2: Design
The contractor includes considerations from what has been highlighted during Tier 1 into the traffic management design and assessment process.
Tier 3: During construction
The same groups from Tier 1 return to site during works to walk and cycle the traffic management areas and supply feedback of their experiences. This method can easily be introduced into any mid to long term project.
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