In the UK, transportation remains the largest sector contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Every car journey we switch to walking, wheeling, or cycling can significantly reduce our carbon footprint. But how doable are these switches? The answer often lies in the design and infrastructure of our streets.
In Horsforth, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to transform our local streets into healthier, more accessible routes. The Healthy Streets® initiative is not just about reducing emissions—it’s about creating environments that encourage active travel and improve the quality of life for everyone. This is where we need your insights and participation.
Why Focus on Healthy Streets® ?
Healthy Streets® are designed to encourage the most sustainable forms of travel: walking, wheeling, and cycling. By improving these aspects, we can ensure that our urban spaces not only reduce environmental impact but also become inclusive and safe for all residents. It’s about making streets feel welcoming, safe, and easy to navigate, especially for those with mobility issues, children, and the elderly.
The methodology behind Healthy Streets® focuses on ten specific indicators such as safety, air quality, noise, biodiversity, and the overall experience of the street. These indicators help assess how well a street is performing and identify what can be improved to enhance the health of its users and the surrounding environment.
Upcoming Healthy Streets® Reviews in Horsforth
We’re excited to invite you to participate in a series of street assessments where we’ll apply the Healthy Streets approach to three key areas in Horsforth. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Healthy Street Review: Town Street Session
Date: Saturday, May 25
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Meeting Point: Outside Horsforth Library
Dive into the heart of Horsforth by assessing Town Street, a central hub for our community. Your observations will help reimagine this key area as a more welcoming and safe space for pedestrians and cyclists. - Healthy Street Review: New Road Side Session
Date: Saturday, June 15
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Meeting Point: Outside Zerø Muda, 85 New Road Side
Explore New Road Side, a bustling area known for its shops and cafes. Your feedback will be vital in transforming it into a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly street. - Healthy Street Review: Station Road Session
Date: Tuesday, June 18
Time: 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Meeting Point: At the seating area next to Hong Kong Supercook
Assess Station Road during the evening rush to provide insights on how this important commuter route can be optimised for non-motorized travel.
How You Can Contribute
The beauty of the Healthy Streets® assessments is that anyone can participate—you don’t need any special skills or experience, just firsthand experience of walking, wheeling, or cycling these streets. The data and observations we gather will help create a detailed map pinpointing where improvements are needed to make these journeys safer, easier, and more convenient.
Impact of Your Involvement
The information collected will not only enhance our community’s environment but will also be crucial for informing Leeds City Council’s Connecting Leeds team. They are currently consulting on local street improvements, and our findings will provide them with valuable community feedback to guide their decisions.
Looking Ahead
Join us as we take proactive steps towards making Horsforth a leading example of sustainable and community-focused urban living. Your participation in the Healthy Streets® project is key to our success and instrumental in shaping the future of our town’s streetscape. Let’s come together to support a healthier, more sustainable Horsforth.
To stay updated on the progress of these sessions and more, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.
If you want to get involved in our ambition to promote active travel and make our streets safer, more environmentally balanced spaces, join our Travel group, and help us pave the way to a greener, more inclusive future. Email volunteer@horsforthclimateaction.org to get in touch.