The report, entitled Healthy Streets: a Business View, summarises the findings of a survey of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) regarding their attitudes towards the Healthy Streets Approach and their key project priorities.

According to the report, the overall message was that many BIDs strongly support the goals of the Healthy Streets Approach, even to the extent of being willing to contribute towards street changes. Only around half the BIDs rated their local area as good to walk or spend time in, and only just over a quarter said it was good for cycling.

Key report findings:

• The top three types of interventions to improve the street environment proposed by BIDs were: improving public realm quality, reducing the amount of motor traffic, and improving pedestrian crossings.

• Challenges included lack of funding and lack of organisational resources to deliver projects.

• Places that performed better against the Healthy Streets Indicators tended to be those with priority for pedestrians over motor traffic, and places that performed worse tended to be dominated by motor traffic.

• BIDs are interested in trialling schemes, including infrastructure schemes and projects to re-organise deliveries.

Key projects mentioned by BIDs:

• Development of walking/cycling strategies to form a cohesive approach and unlock funding;

• Reducing street clutter;

• Increasing cycle parking and engaging with cyclists through a cycling forum; and

• Reducing the number of motor vehicles, including measures to reduce the impact of delivery and servicing vehicles.

If you would like to discuss project ideas to improve the street environment feel free to get in touch.