Haringey failing on sustainable transport
Data released yesterday by the Healthy Streets Scorecard has shown that Haringey is one of just four London boroughs where the proportion of journeys using sustainable transport (walking, cycling, public transport) has decreased since 2019. The borough also had the joint largest increase in the number of cars per household over the past two years. This is despite Haringey having received over £1 million in TfL Streetspace funding, more than any other borough except Camden.
The report, explaining the reasons that Haringey has slipped further down the league table, said that:
“Haringey has promised much over the last few years on active travel but there has been little sign of delivery and that is increasingly showing in its results.”
This reflects previous criticisms from the Liberal Democrats when the Draft Walking & Cycling Action Plan was passed by the cabinet in February, that the council had set out a number of projects, but had left three quarters of them unfunded.
The report awarded three of the borough’s neighbours - Hackney, Islington and Camden - their top scores, while Haringey was given the third-worst score of any inner-London borough.
Cllr Liz Morris (LD-Highgate), Opposition Spokesperson for Transport and Neighbourhoods, said:
“It is really disappointing that while other boroughs, including our near neighbours, have used the pandemic as an opportunity to expand use of sustainable transport, Haringey has slipped back. We have warned time and time again that this Labour council’s promises need to be converted into action, but unfortunately that still hasn’t yet sunk in for them. I hope this report will be the much-needed shot in the arm for the council to get their house in order, and incentivise more and more residents to walk, cycle and use public transport.”
Notes:
- Haringey – Healthy Streets Scorecard
- FOI request on Streetspace funding
- February Cabinet Papers pp 126-136
<hr/>