Transport News April 2009
First steps to fitness
Residents are being urged to get walking in a new NHS campaign.
Two groups led the way in Hackney during the launch of Think Feet First. Get Up & Go organised by charity Hilt, which supports people with learning disabilities, and Walking Together run by the Council, joined forces to promote the benefits of walking in the borough.
A fortnight of activities, which ran from 23 March to 5 April, featured group walks, promotional roadshows, and a poster campaign. The drive created a buzz, with many new members joining both walking groups, proving how much people really want to be active.
Ruth Carnall, Chief Executive of NHS London, said: “We know that almost half of Londoners do little or no physical activity. People may not realise that almost half of all journeys are walkable and even a short walk is a workout.
Evidence shows just 30 minutes exercise a day makes you fitter. Walking short journeys is the cheapest and easiest exercise around, with long-term benefits to your health and your pocket.”
More information
To find out more visit: www.thinkfeetfirst.com or contact Rosie Lee on: 020 7014 7444.
Hub for safe bus routes
A new police team has been launched to patrol bus routes in the area between Dalston, Hackney Central and the Narrow Way.
The Hub Team, which will be based in Dalston Kingsland Station, is jointly funded by Transport for London (TfL) and the Met Police. It aims to be a visible deterrent to crime and anti-social behaviour. Hackney is one of 21 London boroughs to benefit from extra transport policing.
Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, was at the launch at The Narrow Way bus station on 6 April. He said:
“The officers are a very welcome addition. As well as being a highly visible deterrent to anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, they will be a reassuring presence, helping to overcome people’s fear of crime.”
The team will eventually move to the new Dalston Junction Overground Station, due to open in 2010. Officers will patrol Dalston Lane, Graham Road, Amhurst Road and a stretch of Kingsland Road on either side of Dalston Cross. Working with Safer Neighbourhoods Teams and Safer Schools officers, the police will also get to know transport staff on the route, to improve safety and confidence.
Lower fares for jobseekers
Unemployed residents looking for work are now entitled to half price bus travel.
More than 7,000 residents in the borough who receive Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), or the new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), have been eligible for the half price fares since 1 April.
The scheme is part of the Greater London Authority’s Economic Recovery Action Plan, designed to help people back to work by making it easier to travel to interviews, and access libraries and job centres.
The discount will also help those who benefited from an earlier Income Support discount scheme.
A photo ID card is needed, and applicants must have been claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance for at least 13 weeks. For more info, visit: www.tfl.gov.uk/
Platform for improvements
New London Overground platforms have opened at Stratford Station in preparation for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The platforms are part of the redevelopment of Stratford station and came into service on 14 April.
Passengers travelling east from Hackney Wick, Homerton, Hackney Central and Dalston Kingsland to Stratford can benefit from new help points, clearer signs and information screens and new CCTV cameras.
Ian Brown, from TfL, said: “We are pleased to deliver these benefits three years ahead of the Games. These new platforms will reduce congestion by improving the flow of passengers, provide greater capacity and better accessibility than before and are well positioned to serve spectators going to the Olympic Park in 2012.”
For more information go to: www.tfl.gov.uk
Schools celebrate travel plan success
Seven Hackney schools celebrated at the School Travel Achievement Reception 09 last month.
The event praised schools for promoting safe and sustainable travel and encouraging Hackney children to be healthier and more environmentally aware. School Travel Plans (STPs) also reduce congestion and air pollution. Tawhid Boys’ in Stamford Hill picked up the top award for the best STP.
Our Lady and St Joseph’s RC primary, Dalston; Shacklewell primary, Stoke Newington; Morningside primary, Hackney Central; Tyssen primary, Stamford Hill; Rosemary Works school, De Beauvoir and Harrington Hill primary, Upper Clapton also won awards for individual aspects of their plans.
Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“Thanks to the efforts of the schools, we are helping reduce congestion and air pollution and encouraging young people to be healthier and more environmentally aware. Well done everyone.”
Fashion comes in cycles
Two Hackney designers’ range of cycle clothing and accessories go on sale in the world’s largest fashion store this week.
Stylish new company Cyclodelic is set to unveil its collection at Topshop’s flagship Oxford Street store on 9 April.
The clothes have been designed and handmade by two keen female cyclists in their Hackney studio, who believe women don’t have to forfeit fashion for function.
The company was founded by London College of Fashion student Amy, along with textile graduate and ex-courier Sarah Buck, with the intention of putting some fun and style back into functional cycle wear.
With prices starting from £10, Cyclodelic products are filled with useful features, from waterproofing to reflective seams, and although colourful, they prove that cyclists don’t always have to always reach for fluorescents when hitting the road.
Amy Fleuriot, of Cyclodelic, said: “I am very excited about launching our new range and bringing our cycling chic to what is the world’s largest fashion store.
“Cyclodelic has previously taken part in London Fashion Week, but it will be even more fantastic to see our designs displayed next to Kate Moss’s collection and bring our take on cycling cool to a new audience.”
Down on the farm
Cyclists of all ages are invited down to Hackney City Farm for Bikeday 2009 on 19 April.
The day celebrates everything about bikes from grass track racing to taster proficiency lessons to a bike jumble sale.
There will also be a pedal powered sound system, a bike fancy dress parade and much more.
The farm, in Goldsmiths Row, is home to Dr Bike – a cycling group which teaches people to do bike repairs – and members will be on hand to give their expert advice.
The event, which runs from 12noon to 4pm, is part of the farm’s Big Green Challenge activities and hopes to convert yet more people to the joys of two wheels.To find out more, call: 020 7729 6381, or go to www.hackneycityfarm.co.uk
Keep safe
Hackney's teenagers are being warned to look after their mates in a stark new road safety campaign.
Transport for London (TfL) has launched its latest advertising campaign with a ‘don’t let your friendship die on the road’ theme, based on research that shows young people are motivated by loyalty to their friends.
Posters show actors who appear to be leaning against a wall, however a second glance reveals them to be actually lying on the road after a collision. Teenagers are more likely to be involved in an accident than any other age group, so posters will be placed close to schools.
Chris Lines, Head of the TfL London Road Safety Unit, said:
“Everyday a teenager is killed or seriously injured on London roads. While this number is steadily falling, one injury is still one too many.”
For more info, visit: www. tfl.gov.uk
Open all hours
Two new tool and plant hire centres are set to be opened for contractors working in the Olympic Park in a bid to reduce site traffic.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) hopes the centres will reduce the number and length of journeys, as contractors will no longer have to leave the site to collect and return hired tools and equipment. The new centres will also help increase the efficiency on site by reducing travelling time.
ODA Director of Construction, Howards Shiplee, said: “These two facilities, one based at the north and one based at the south of the Park will significantly reduce the number of journeys made within and around the Olympic Park.
“That means we are reducing congestion and emissions from vehicles by providing facilities nearby they would usually travel to get.”
The centres are due to be up and running by the summer.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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