Category: Uncategorized

Local campaign and petition launched to stop proposed development of the old UCL campus on Highgate Hill

 

All attendees of the two recent conversations organised by Urban Movement as well as those who were not able to come along are invited to attend a final DRAFT Design Charter Workshop on the 23^rd of February 6-8pm, where Urban Movement will be presenting the draft design charter. Attendees will have the chance to feedback on the charter and raise any points that may not have been covered already. The workshop will be hosted online via Zoom, anyone who wishes to attend can sign up here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMscuuqqjIuE9XFrCJxuZctxZNyX9b_o6zv Some key pieces of research were mentioned in the sessions, links to which are provided below: Information / studies on the economic impacts of providing for walking and cycling:

• The economic benefits of walking and cycling – A report outlining the impacts walking and cycling schemes can have on the economy (2019, TfL): http://content.tfl.gov.uk/walking-cycling-economic-benefits-summary-pack.pdf
• The Pedestrian Pound – A report outlining the business case for better streets and places (2018, Living Streets):  https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/media/3890/pedestrian-pound-2018.pdf
• The Complete Business Case for Bike Lanes – An article reviewing 12 studies on the impact of cycle infrastructure on businesses from around the world (2015, Bloomberg): https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-13/every-study-ever-conducted-on-the-impact-converting-street-parking-into-bike-lanes-has-on-businesses
• The Economic Benefits of Sustainable Streets – A study outlining the economic benefits of streets improvements and how to evaluate them (2013, New York City Department of Transportation): http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/dot-economic-benefits-of-sustainable-streets.pdf
• The Healthy Streets: A Business View – A report surveying London’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to understand the importance of the Healthy Streets Approach to business performance (2019, TfL): http://content.tfl.gov.uk/healthy-streets-a-business-view.pdf
• The Cycling and the Housing Market report – A report examining the relationship between high-quality cycling infrastructure and the housing market, including new developments (2017, TfL): http://content.tfl.gov.uk/cycling-housing-market.pdf
• The Segregated Cycle Infrastructure evidence pack – A presentation compiling monitoring and evidence about the impacts and benefits of TfL’s cycling programme (TfL): http://content.tfl.gov.uk/segregated-cycling-infrastructure-evidence-pack.pdf
• Place Value Wiki – A reference site hosting a range of research evidence that links ‘quality’ and design of ‘place’ with value added in different terms (2021, UCL & Bartlett School of Planning): https://sites.google.com/view/place-value-wiki
• Commuting and Wellbeing – A study on the impact of commuting on wellbeing (2017, University of the West of England): https://www.uwe.ac.uk/research/centres-and-groups/cts/research-themes/influencing-behaviours/commuting-and-wellbeing
• The association between commuter cycling and sickness absence – A study to determine whether cycling to work has an impact on worker absence due to sickness (2010; Hendriksen et al, National Library of Medicine): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20580736/
• The Market Cycles – A report by the BCO on the impact of growth in cycling on office specification as well as occupier and investor demand (2017, The British Council of Offices): https://www.bco.org.uk/Research/Publications/The_Market_Cycles.aspx

Information / studies on the impacts of reducing / removing through-traffic:

• Disappearing traffic? The story so far – Research on traffic evaporation (2015; Cairns et al, NACTO) https://nacto.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/disappearing_traffic_cairns.pdf
• Results of a scheme to remove through-traffic on neighbourhood streets and surrounding streets (2020, Lambeth Council): https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/new-independent-analysis-shows-traffic-levels-cut-by-a-over-a-quarter-in-railton-area/
• ‘Removing through-traffic – A business perspective’ – Article examining the impact of three LTN schemes (2020, The Guardian newspaper) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/16/i-got-it-wrong-since-the-changes-its-become-more-vibrant-life-in-an-ltn
• Pave The Way – Report outlining the impact of LTNs on disabled people, and the future of accessible Active Travel (2021, Transport for All): https://www.transportforall.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Pave-The-Way-full-report.pdf
• LTNs for all? Mapping the extent of London’s new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – Report on the impact of LTNs in London (2020; Aldred & Verlinghier, Possible): https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d30896202a18c0001b49180/t/5fb246b254d7bd32ba4cec90/1605519046389/LTNs+for+all.pdf
• The Impact of Introducing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods on Road Traffic Injuries – Research on traffic collisions in LTNs (2021; Laverty et al, Findings Press): https://findingspress.org/article/18330-the-impact-of-introducing-low-traffic-neighbourhoods-on-road-traffic-injuries
• The Street Appeal report – A study measuring the impact of improvements to the street environment in London town centres and high streets (2017, TfL): http://content.tfl.gov.uk/street-appeal.pdf
• ‘LTNs Do Not Cause Gridlock, Finds Traffic Count Analysis’ – Article outlining results of traffic count analysis before and after the introduction of LTNs (2020, Forbes)  https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2020/11/23/ltns-do-not-cause-gridlock-finds-traffic-count-analysis/?sh=5e7cb1d72109
• ‘Low-traffic schemes benefit everyone, not just better-off’ – Article outlining the benefits of low-traffic schemes (2020, The Guardian newspaper): https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/16/claim-low-traffic-schemes-only-benefit-better-off-debunked-in-new-study

In line with the latest Government advice, Hampstead Heath will be temporarily closing the majority of our facilities to support the new national restrictions from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December. They will be keeping a close eye on announcements from the Government and if anything should change they will respond quickly and keep the public informed. 

Closures will include:  

·         Parliament Hill Athletics Track 

·         Tennis Courts at Parliament Hill, Golders Hill Park and Queen’s Park 

·         The Parliament Hill Fields Lido 

·         The Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds 

·         Weddings (GHP & QP) 

·         Childrens Farm (QP) 

·         Zoo (GHP – the central passageway) 

·         The pitch and putt at Queen’s Park 

·         The Peggy Jay Centre 

·         The Adventure Playground and Clubhouse 

·         Guardians Gym (at the Lido) 

·         Winter Swimming Club 

·         Football and Rugby 

·         Volunteering 

·         Licenced Events e.g. workshops, children’s activities, Be Military Fit and the Hampstead Winter Swimming Club. 

The Heath intend to keep the public toilets open and they will continue to empty litter bins throughout this period, although they do still ask that visitors take their rubbish and waste away with them wherever possible. The car parks and our playgrounds will also remain open and the cafe’s will be available for a takeaway service. 

Queen’s Park, Highgate Wood and Golders Hill Park (including the Hill Garden & Pergola) opening hours will remain as advertised.  

School outdoor learning activities led by the Learning Team will continue, as will Licenced Forest School activities for Ofsted Registered Early Years Providers. 

Filming that has been agreed with the City of London’s Film Office and is COVID Secure will continue. 

They expect that the Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park will be very busy during this period as people visit to exercise or meet with one person from another household.  

Signage on site is being updated and will remind visitors to follow the latest Government’s Guidance, be considerate towards Staff and other visitors.  

From Camden New Journal, 15 October 2020:
heritage group fights plan to demolish ‘architecturally significant’ hostel.

Camden Council held a Development Management Forum on Murphy’s Yard on 8th September. The full planning application is likely to be submitted in February/March next year. Camden recorded the meeting which can be viewed here:

Murphy’s Yard have their own consultation website here.

From The Camdenist, 4 September 2020:
The big redevelopment of Gospel Oak’s Murphy’s Yard site, potentially including 750 new homes and a landscaped new walk between Kentish Town and Hampstead Heath, moves on to the next phase with a public forum. 

From The Camdenist, 14 August 2020: (scroll down to find mention of the DPNF ‘Streets for People’ survey).

Article from Hampstead & Highgate Express, 17 August 2020:
Dartmouth Park survey shows support for Swain’s Lane closure – but butcher calls it a ‘terrible’ idea.

Article from Hampstead & Highgate Express, 27 May 2020:
Highgate Newtown Community Centre: Neighbourhood forum raise noise and safety concerns over demolition plan.

Article from Hampstead & Highgate Express, 7 May 2020:
Opinion: We don’t need to wait for Covid-19 to be over to plan a better economy – Maya de Souza & Farhana Yamin.

Article from Hampstead & Highgate Express, 27 February 2020:
Opinion: Making London a true National Park City – Sian Berry.

Article from Hampstead & Highgate Express, 12 February 2020:
Dartmouth Park referendum: Neighbourhood plan wins vote.