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25 September 2017

How a transport plan in London is tackling public health issues (UK)

In response to public health challenges facing the city, London introduced a Transport Action Plan in 2014.  Developed by a Public Health Consultant working in Transport for London (TfL), the city's transport authority, it outlines transport-related measures for improving the health of Londoners. The Plan sets out 10 action points related to TfL's 'business as usual' processes that, if undertaken, should help TfL respond to public health challenges. The Healthy Streets Approach contained within the Plan is crucial: this seeks to increase active mobility levels and in turn reduce the incidence of diseases and conditions linked to or exacerbated by physical inactivity, such as Type 2 Diabetes. The Plan was first adopted in 2014 and is being implemented until the end of 2017.
​Like other big European cities, London's population is growing and it urgently needs to reduce emissions and manage congestion and traffic levels. Products were created to support TfL in mainstreaming health into its decision-making processes, including a Healthy Streets Survey to engage the public in making changes to their streets; a Healthy Streets Check to ensure traffic planners integrate health considerations into new street designs; and a local manual for implementing the World Health Organisation's Health Economic Assessment Tool, which monetises health impacts in business cases for projects and policies.
Τhe strategy predicts that 80 per cent of trips in London in 2041 will be made on foot, by bike, or using public transport: their current combined modal share is 64 per cent. Over the next five years, £ 2.1bn will be spent on creating healthy streets designed for walking, cycling, and public transport.
​The Healthy Streets Approach is applicable to any village, town or city, whilst the Plan's 10 action points can be applied at no additional cost by any transport or planning authority.
​For more information click here

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