The Healthy Streets Approach and the 10 Indicators of a Healthy Street were developed by Lucy Saunders, a specialist in public health and transport. These were first included in TfL policy in their first Health Action Plan in 2014. As the capital’s strategic transport authority, TfL recognise they have a crucial role in the health of all Londoners. There is ample evidence that inactivity is the cause of many of London’s major health problems and that walking, cycling and using public transport to get around are the easiest ways to stay active. To enable everyone to be active everyday the street environments need to be welcoming and inclusive to all.  This addresses the other main impacts of transport and streets on health: air pollution, road danger, noise and severance.

The Mayor of London recognises that the transport authority cannot deliver the Healthy Streets Approach alone and therefore looks to all parts of the GLA family, stakeholders and communities to help deliver the Healthy Streets Approach. In London the Healthy Streets Approach is being translated into a system of policies and strategies to help Londoners use cars less and walk, cycle and use public transport more. This includes the Healthy Streets Approach being the overarching framework for the new draft Mayor’s Transport Strategy. It is a long-term plan for London to become a city where people choose to walk, cycle and use public transport more, bringing huge health and wellbeing benefits to everyone.