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Healthy Streets for Surrey

Creating streets which are safe and green, beautiful, and resilient

2.3 Key components of good street design

Street trees, which are associated with slower cars, better air quality [Reference 6], moderated energy usages and happier and healthier residents [Reference 7];

Slower traffic has been linked to fewer accidents, less congestion in urban centres, reduced pressure on parking and increased levels of walking and cycling;

High quality paving materials, which can contribute to better water drainage, require lower long-term maintenance costs and have a lower carbon footprint than asphalt.

Active transport, including walking and cycling for all journey types. Promoting active movement, even if it is just 20 minutes a day, contributes significantly to personal physical and mental health and combats chronic long-term illnesses. This also reduces the number of cars on the street. This requires designing streets in a way that feels safe for pedestrians and cyclists;

Streets with multiple uses. The 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way that streets are used, and flexible street design has become an increasingly important factor in public health interventions. Streets that accommodate changes such as pocket parks, outdoor dining areas and community activities are accessible by walking and cycling, are provably more popular and allow people to stay local; and

Local identity, which give streets a distinct sense of place. Streets with a local identity can be easier to navigate, foster a sense of community and nourish civic pride.

Some of the well-being advantages of walkable safe streets

  • Trees reduce vehicle speeds by 7-8 miles per hour, reduce air temperatures by 3 degrees centigrade, and improve air quality.
  • Walking and cycling can save the NHS £1.7b in treatment costs over the next 25 years.
  • Shops on streets with high walkability generate 80% more sales and pedestrians can spend up to £147 more than those travelling by car.
  • Reducing traffic can lead to an up to 30% fall in carbon monoxide emissions.
  • Reducing traffic can lead to a 12.2% increase in non-motorised modes of traffic.

References

2.2 Why is this important?
3. Governance

In this section