Agenda item

Public Health

Sam Rigby from Public Health presented the key health considerations related to public health and active travel. They discussed how physical activity could reduce the risk of various health conditions. They noted that even small increases in activity could yield significant health benefits, and active travel served as an incremental way for inactive individuals to become more active. Highlighting concerns about unequal access to physical activity, they addressed barriers faced by certain groups, such as those from minority ethnic backgrounds, women, young girls, individuals with long-term conditions, the elderly, and those with lower incomes. Active travel was presented as a solution to address these barriers, providing opportunities not only for health benefits but also for increased social connections.

There were many barriers’ people faced regarding physical activity, such as lack of time, access, affordability, safety concerns, and environmental accessibility. Active travel was seen as a solution to these barriers, with examples given of how changes in the built environment, like the People-Friendly Streets initiative, could lead to increased physical activity.

There was a recognised need for adaptations to be accessible to those with sensory and mobility impairments. There was an emphasis on the importance of public health interventions in supporting motivation for active travel, raising awareness of its benefits, and providing targeted support to those at higher risk.

Moreover, the broader benefits of active travel were highlighted, including reducing air pollution, carbon emissions, and noise pollution, the potential positive impact on health outcomes and the environment.

A primary focus was on active travel initiatives, particularly the positive impact of removing bollards on physical activity. Pavement improvement and collaboration with other departments emerged as a critical consideration. The unevenness of surfaces was identified as a significant barrier, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts to address this issue and enhance overall infrastructure. The collaborative efforts with communities, as evidenced by studies from other Local Authorities, demonstrated a significant increase in walking (14/15%) when implemented.

The observation of a temporary dip in activity after initial physical changes suggested a need for behavioural adjustments. This dip was attributed to the community's familiarisation with new spaces and the time required to build confidence in engaging with these changes. The broader issues of social isolation and income inequality were acknowledged as interconnected with physical inactivity. Recognising the correlation between social isolation and inactive lifestyles, proposed strategies aimed to address these issues and promote inclusivity. The strategy of motivational conversations, particularly through the "Every Movement Counts" campaign, was emphasised. Community engagement efforts, including physical activity opportunities on the Islington website and a "Get Active" service pilot through GP practices, were highlighted to encourage tailored solutions for increased activity.

There were concerns about the seemingly low percentage (7%) of deaths related to pollution. Clarification highlighted that each Local Authority estimates mortality figures, considering various diseases linked to air pollution, notably heart diseases and cancer. The need for a more nuanced understanding of the specific diseases and their prevalence was acknowledged.

OurBike

AlperMuduroglu from Our Bike gave a presentation to the committee. They discussed the "Try Before You Buy" scheme, a subscription model allowing users to hire a bike and potentially own it if they like it. The "Our Bike" initiative was likened to car-sharing services like Zipcar, where users can reserve and use cargo bikes subsidized by the Council for £3 per hour.

The purpose of "Our Bike" was to improve air quality, combat climate change, and promote sustainability. Each bike is associated with a local business (host) within the borough, responsible for managing the batteries. The bikes are named after the host who can advertise on them for free. There would also be training provided to get people comfortable using these bikes.

Affordability was a key focus, with "Our Bike" providing an affordable option for cargo bike usage compared to other services. Monthly reporting to the Council includes details on kilometres travelled, number of trips, hours, and member information. Feedback from users and hosts, showcasing positive experiences and diverse applications, is collected and shared with the Council.

Overall, the initiative aims to make cargo bikes accessible, promote sustainable transportation, and integrate the service into the community to make more people travel sustainably and actively.

There was a suggestion to locate a cargobike on Holloway Road near the Northern Health Centre. A question was raised about why none of the hosts are schools or youth centres, especially given concerns about young people's activity. They clarified that hosts are identified by the local economies department at Islington. They are actively seeking a grant to fund two bikes in local deprivation areas and exploring models to support hosts, including potential sponsorship.

The discussion touched on the challenge of hitting certain groups, such as faith groups, in areas of high deprivation. The speaker acknowledged the need for different criteria to engage with these groups effectively. There were ongoing efforts involve exploring diverse funding models, seeking grants for bikes in deprived areas, and considering a mixed model that combines sponsorship, fees, and potential ongoing funding to sustain and expand the initiative.

Living Streets

David Harrison and Kathe Jacob from Living Streets presented to the committee. They commended the council and officers for their outstanding work, particularly praising the success of the People Friendly Streets initiative. They acknowledged the evidence gathered through research and emphasised the need for physical infrastructure to promote walking. A study of outer London boroughs demonstrated a significant increase in walking time, emphasising the achievement and importance of such initiatives.

They highlighted the equity aspect of promoting walking, especially in a borough like Islington where walking is the main mode of transport. They applauded the creation of spaces for all, including those who don't or can't drive. The success of transforming Dover Court into a great walking route was cited as a world-class example with potential for further implementation in other areas.

Liveable neighbourhoods were praised for their success, particularly mentioning improvements to King Henry's Walk. The potential for green corridors and a new green link as a TfN Leisure Walk were discussed. The importance of addressing the economy and local businesses, specifically in Cross Street, to enhance the walking environment was emphasised.

Digital mapping of footways was presented as a successful initiative, with millions of views for the central London map. They urged the council to use and build upon the work already done, including I-Spy walks and maps to engage children in walking.

They discussed the significance of vision and leadership, citing Councillor Champion's commitment and vocal support for active travel. The involvement of multiple council teams and the integration of sustainable transport into the local plan were highlighted as crucial factors. The need for behaviour change was stressed.

Lambeth's curbside strategy was praised, highlighting an interesting proposal to place trees in the carriageway instead of on pavements. This approach involves build-outs into the carriageway to preserve pavements and reduce the risk of tree damage to properties. The suggestion was offered as a consideration for Islington's People Friendly Streets initiative.

They further commented on Islington's commitment to reclaiming space for walking and wheeling, reducing isolation, and promoting public health. The importance of well-maintained pedestrian areas, addressing street clutter, and the positive impact on mental health were underlined.

Councillors expressed interest in the concept of building out and placing trees in the carriageway to improve safety and prevent slippery pavements. They inquired whether there was evidence or if it was still in the planning stage. The response highlighted the practical benefits and the need for careful consideration in planting trees to avoid future issues with footways.

A Councillor suggested incorporating art walks into the active travel initiatives, especially in areas without extensive green space these could emphasise the interesting architectural features along the route.

The discussion touched on the importance of maintaining pavements, addressing issues such as slippery surfaces and potential hazards. A suggestion was made to invite someone to a future meeting to discuss paving issues, with an emphasis on addressing concerns raised by community members.

Councillors raised additional points, including the consideration of safety measures in pavement beautification plans and the need to prioritise the maintenance of pavements to ensure a safer environment for pedestrians. The issue of implementing more benches and the potential anti-social behaviour and loitering an increase in these could cause was also discussed.

The committee thanked all the speakers for their presentations.