Bromley

2022 Healthy Streets Scorecard results

It’s the exact same position in 2022 as 2021 for Bromley coming 27th of 33 London local authorities in the Scorecard, with some of the lowest scores on Scorecard indicators among all London boroughs. It has the highest % of trips made by car in the whole of London at 53% (and a target within the Mayor’s Transport Strategy to reduce this to 40%).

After the positive news in 2021 that 5% of Bromley’s schools had School Streets, where traffic is restricted around schools at arrival and departure times, it is disappointing this has reduced to 3%, and is now much less than the London average of 15%. Bromley’s School Streets all rely on marshals and physical barriers rather than ANPR camera enforcement (as used in leading boroughs Islington with a School Street rate of 49% and Hackney, 45%). The requirement of volunteer marshals rather than ANPR cameras is likely a reason for a decline in School Streets and would also be a barrier to other schools that may want to join the scheme.

Despite falling slightly from 105 to 103 cars per 100 households, car ownership rates remain extremely high, especially when compared to best borough Islington with just 33 cars per 100 households. Along with Barnet, it continues to have the lowest score for 20mph speed limits (just 5% of roads compared to 13 boroughs with over 90% coverage); the lowest proportion of roads covered by controlled parking; relatively low provision of protected cycle track; and the fifth lowest provision of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (just 7%, all of which are historic, compared to borough leaders Hackney on 70%). Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are areas which are access-only to motor vehicles, while through-routes are still available for people walking and cycling, as well as buses in some locations, and they are a key part of the solution to achieving healthy streets.

One positive is that Bromley has achieved the best score for the schools STARS behaviour change programme among the 33 London local authorities again this year. As a behaviour change strategy STARS excels in changing people’s views on active travel, however, without the physical infrastructure and enforcement from implementing high quality School Street schemes (with the onus for implementation and enforcement being on the Council, rather than the school), 20mph, protected cycle tracks and new LTNs, then there is no long-term strategy to reduce short car journeys and enable residents to be active on safe, healthy streets in Bromley.

Looking at new data published this year to reflect population density, Bromley scores lower than it should, when taking account of its density. When we account for density Bromley would currently expect to achieve an overall score of 2.9, more than its overall score of 2.2.

Big changes are needed urgently, and Bromley can build on the positives to move up the Scorecard by taking action in the next year.

• Update: Before publication of the 2022 Scorecard, on Friday 24 June 2022, Bromley Council decided that School Streets should not be actively rolled out across the borough, “due primarily to resource implications, but also due to the negative impact felt by some parents and on some nearby residents.”
  
  The Healthy Streets Scorecard coalition is disappointed by this decision by Bromley Councillor Nicholas Bennett, Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety.
  
  Across London School Streets are shown to dramatically reduce traffic outside schools and improve air quality both on the street and in the school itself. They also develop young people’s independence by allowing more children to walk or cycle at least part of their journey to school without their parents, helping to address the trend towards the increasing dependence of young people on their parents to travel.