Pressure is being stepped up on councils in the capital to do more to keep their footways free from obstructions such as advertising boards. London TravelWatch is calling on boroughs to make it their New Year’s resolution to clear clutter from the pavements.

 

The group says that many of London’s streets are dangerous obstacle courses for pedestrians and can deter older persons and those with disabilities from venturing outside.

 

“This is not acceptable in London, a city with such busy pavements and where public policy is to get more of us walking more often,” said London TravelWatch chair Stephen Locke.

 

The group adds that every London council has a legal duty to keep their footways clear of obstructions, but only a handful do this properly. “We will be naming and shaming the boroughs that won’t take their legal duties seriously over the coming months,” Stephen Locke added.

 

Section 130 of the Highways Act 1980 requires Transport for London and London’s local councils to keep their pavements clear of unlawful obstructions. Various legislation gives local highways authorities the powers to enforce against non compliance.

 

London TravelWatch has praised recent efforts by Transport for London to remove obstructions along its road network as part of Operation Clearway. In the first 11 months of last year seven businesses were prosecuted by TfL for illegally obstructing the highway.

 

Arup’s associate director of transport consulting Susan Claris FCIHT said: “This is a welcome announcement from London TravelWatch. Footways need to be just that – ways for feet. All too often they are cluttered or blocked with badly placed (and often redundant) sign poles, advertising boards, litter and other obstacles. Priority needs to be given for ways for walking so that walking becomes the mode of choice for short journeys, benefitting all Londoners.”

 

Living Streets’ head of policy Tompion Platt said: “Clear pavements are vital to creating safe and inviting places to walk. For many including those with visual impairments, in wheelchairs, or parents with buggies, obstructions on the pavement act as a real barrier to their everyday journeys to school, the shops or to work. We need councils to ensure that pavements are clear for people to get around easily and safely on foot.”

 

A spokesman for London Councils, which represents 32 boroughs and the City of London, said: “We are aware of the health and safety implications of any unlawful obstructions of the highway and support any measures available to reduce these. However, it is also important to recognise the financial pressure on local authorities which has meant, in some circumstances, that they have been unable to deal with obstructions as effectively as they would like.”

 

(Photo: London TravelWatch)