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Exemplary Approach to Active Travel & Public Space
Exemplary Approach to Active Travel & Public Space
Exemplary Approach to Active Travel & Public Space
Submission Criteria
Previous Winner
A submission in this category should demonstrate
Improvements to public space and the street environment in terms of appearance (high quality materials, design sensitive to local culture and heritage, green infrastructure and planting etc)
Evidence the scheme has led to either: safety improvements, uptake of active travel, improvements to business and cultural offerings, reduced congestion, reduced air pollution etc
Submission Criteria
Previous Winner
A submission in this category should demonstrate
Improvements to public space and the street environment in terms of appearance (high quality materials, design sensitive to local culture and heritage, green infrastructure and planting etc)
Evidence the scheme has led to either: safety improvements, uptake of active travel, improvements to business and cultural offerings, reduced congestion, reduced air pollution etc
Submission Criteria
Previous Winner
A submission in this category should demonstrate
Improvements to public space and the street environment in terms of appearance (high quality materials, design sensitive to local culture and heritage, green infrastructure and planting etc)
Evidence the scheme has led to either: safety improvements, uptake of active travel, improvements to business and cultural offerings, reduced congestion, reduced air pollution etc
AtkinsRéalis, Buckinghamshire Council and MBM Groundworks
White Hart Street Public Realm
The White Hart Street Public Realm scheme is a bold £3.1m transformation of a historic yet underperforming corridor into a vibrant, inclusive and people‑centred destination. Once dominated by vehicles, clutter and poor environmental quality, the street has been redefined as a place to move through, dwell in and enjoy. At its core, the scheme reclaims space for people. Walking and cycling are prioritised through wider, continuous footways, step‑free routes and clearly legible crossings, creating a safe, intuitive environment for all users. Both daytime and evening footfall have increased significantly, reflecting a step-change in how the space is experienced and directly strengthening the vitality of High Wycombe town centre.
AtkinsRéalis, Buckinghamshire Council and MBM Groundworks
White Hart Street Public Realm
The White Hart Street Public Realm scheme is a bold £3.1m transformation of a historic yet underperforming corridor into a vibrant, inclusive and people‑centred destination. Once dominated by vehicles, clutter and poor environmental quality, the street has been redefined as a place to move through, dwell in and enjoy. At its core, the scheme reclaims space for people. Walking and cycling are prioritised through wider, continuous footways, step‑free routes and clearly legible crossings, creating a safe, intuitive environment for all users. Both daytime and evening footfall have increased significantly, reflecting a step-change in how the space is experienced and directly strengthening the vitality of High Wycombe town centre.
AtkinsRéalis, Buckinghamshire Council and MBM Groundworks
White Hart Street Public Realm
The White Hart Street Public Realm scheme is a bold £3.1m transformation of a historic yet underperforming corridor into a vibrant, inclusive and people‑centred destination. Once dominated by vehicles, clutter and poor environmental quality, the street has been redefined as a place to move through, dwell in and enjoy. At its core, the scheme reclaims space for people. Walking and cycling are prioritised through wider, continuous footways, step‑free routes and clearly legible crossings, creating a safe, intuitive environment for all users. Both daytime and evening footfall have increased significantly, reflecting a step-change in how the space is experienced and directly strengthening the vitality of High Wycombe town centre.
Essex Highways, Essex County Council and Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Partnership
Harlow Sustainable Transport Corridor (North to Centre)
The first phase of the North to Centre Sustainable Transport Corridor in Harlow demonstrates an exemplary approach to active travel and public space, delivering a step change in how people move through and experience the town. The scheme introduces continuous bus lanes, high- quality walking and cycling routes, and enhanced public realm including new trees, lighting, signage and attractive spaces, creating a safer, cleaner and more inviting environment. As the first link in a wider network of sustainable transport corridors, the project connects Harlow town centre with key destinations including the railway station, employment areas and surrounding neighbourhoods. For pedestrians and cyclists, previously fragmented and inconsistent routes have been transformed into continuous, well-lit corridors with upgraded junctions and dedicated 5.5-metre shared spaces, significantly improving on narrow pavements with minimal segregation.
Essex Highways, Essex County Council and Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Partnership
Harlow Sustainable Transport Corridor (North to Centre)
The first phase of the North to Centre Sustainable Transport Corridor in Harlow demonstrates an exemplary approach to active travel and public space, delivering a step change in how people move through and experience the town. The scheme introduces continuous bus lanes, high- quality walking and cycling routes, and enhanced public realm including new trees, lighting, signage and attractive spaces, creating a safer, cleaner and more inviting environment. As the first link in a wider network of sustainable transport corridors, the project connects Harlow town centre with key destinations including the railway station, employment areas and surrounding neighbourhoods. For pedestrians and cyclists, previously fragmented and inconsistent routes have been transformed into continuous, well-lit corridors with upgraded junctions and dedicated 5.5-metre shared spaces, significantly improving on narrow pavements with minimal segregation.
Essex Highways, Essex County Council and Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Partnership
Harlow Sustainable Transport Corridor (North to Centre)
The first phase of the North to Centre Sustainable Transport Corridor in Harlow demonstrates an exemplary approach to active travel and public space, delivering a step change in how people move through and experience the town. The scheme introduces continuous bus lanes, high- quality walking and cycling routes, and enhanced public realm including new trees, lighting, signage and attractive spaces, creating a safer, cleaner and more inviting environment. As the first link in a wider network of sustainable transport corridors, the project connects Harlow town centre with key destinations including the railway station, employment areas and surrounding neighbourhoods. For pedestrians and cyclists, previously fragmented and inconsistent routes have been transformed into continuous, well-lit corridors with upgraded junctions and dedicated 5.5-metre shared spaces, significantly improving on narrow pavements with minimal segregation.
Glasgow City Council
Glasgow Cycle Hire Scheme
Glasgow City Council relaunched its cycle hire scheme with Voi Technology, replacing the earlier service with an all-electric fleet. The council designed the new service to make cycling more practical and accessible while supporting its goal of net-zero emissions by 2030. Its procurement followed the original scheme, which operated from 2016 to 2025. The entry describes the new fleet as a central part of Glasgow’s effort to encourage cleaner journeys and reduce transport emissions.
Glasgow City Council
Glasgow Cycle Hire Scheme
Glasgow City Council relaunched its cycle hire scheme with Voi Technology, replacing the earlier service with an all-electric fleet. The council designed the new service to make cycling more practical and accessible while supporting its goal of net-zero emissions by 2030. Its procurement followed the original scheme, which operated from 2016 to 2025. The entry describes the new fleet as a central part of Glasgow’s effort to encourage cleaner journeys and reduce transport emissions.
Glasgow City Council
Glasgow Cycle Hire Scheme
Glasgow City Council relaunched its cycle hire scheme with Voi Technology, replacing the earlier service with an all-electric fleet. The council designed the new service to make cycling more practical and accessible while supporting its goal of net-zero emissions by 2030. Its procurement followed the original scheme, which operated from 2016 to 2025. The entry describes the new fleet as a central part of Glasgow’s effort to encourage cleaner journeys and reduce transport emissions.
Gloucestershire County Council
A435 Cheltenham to Bishop’s Cleeve Cycle Spine
The A435 Cheltenham to Bishop’s Cleeve Cycle Spine is a newly delivered section of Gloucestershire’s wider Cycle Spine programme, providing a high-quality, largely LTN1/20- compliant active travel route along one of the county’s most strategically important corridors. The scheme delivers a continuous, segregated cycle and pedestrian facility between Cheltenham and Bishop’s Cleeve, connecting residential communities with key employment sites, including GE Aviation, as well as Cheltenham town centre, nearby schools and education facilities, and surrounding growth areas. It addresses a long-standing gap in provision, where high traffic volumes, constrained geometry and speed limits previously created a significant barrier to walking and cycling. The A435 corridor between Cheltenham and Bishop’s Cleeve previously posed safety challenges for cyclists—something this scheme was designed to tackle.
Gloucestershire County Council
A435 Cheltenham to Bishop’s Cleeve Cycle Spine
The A435 Cheltenham to Bishop’s Cleeve Cycle Spine is a newly delivered section of Gloucestershire’s wider Cycle Spine programme, providing a high-quality, largely LTN1/20- compliant active travel route along one of the county’s most strategically important corridors. The scheme delivers a continuous, segregated cycle and pedestrian facility between Cheltenham and Bishop’s Cleeve, connecting residential communities with key employment sites, including GE Aviation, as well as Cheltenham town centre, nearby schools and education facilities, and surrounding growth areas. It addresses a long-standing gap in provision, where high traffic volumes, constrained geometry and speed limits previously created a significant barrier to walking and cycling. The A435 corridor between Cheltenham and Bishop’s Cleeve previously posed safety challenges for cyclists—something this scheme was designed to tackle.
Gloucestershire County Council
A435 Cheltenham to Bishop’s Cleeve Cycle Spine
The A435 Cheltenham to Bishop’s Cleeve Cycle Spine is a newly delivered section of Gloucestershire’s wider Cycle Spine programme, providing a high-quality, largely LTN1/20- compliant active travel route along one of the county’s most strategically important corridors. The scheme delivers a continuous, segregated cycle and pedestrian facility between Cheltenham and Bishop’s Cleeve, connecting residential communities with key employment sites, including GE Aviation, as well as Cheltenham town centre, nearby schools and education facilities, and surrounding growth areas. It addresses a long-standing gap in provision, where high traffic volumes, constrained geometry and speed limits previously created a significant barrier to walking and cycling. The A435 corridor between Cheltenham and Bishop’s Cleeve previously posed safety challenges for cyclists—something this scheme was designed to tackle.
Islington Council
Widening Participation in Cycling
Islington Council's cycling programme aims to widen participation and improve public space for active travel. It introduced its first School Street in 2020 and has since implemented 36 School Streets serving 37 primary schools. The council has also delivered five environmental improvement projects at schools on main roads where road closures are not possible. These measures form part of a wider effort to give more residents safe and practical opportunities to walk and cycle.
Islington Council
Widening Participation in Cycling
Islington Council's cycling programme aims to widen participation and improve public space for active travel. It introduced its first School Street in 2020 and has since implemented 36 School Streets serving 37 primary schools. The council has also delivered five environmental improvement projects at schools on main roads where road closures are not possible. These measures form part of a wider effort to give more residents safe and practical opportunities to walk and cycle.
Islington Council
Widening Participation in Cycling
Islington Council's cycling programme aims to widen participation and improve public space for active travel. It introduced its first School Street in 2020 and has since implemented 36 School Streets serving 37 primary schools. The council has also delivered five environmental improvement projects at schools on main roads where road closures are not possible. These measures form part of a wider effort to give more residents safe and practical opportunities to walk and cycle.
Salford City Council
Chapel Street East Phase 1 and New Bailey Gateway Phase 2
Chapel Street East is located in the heart of Salford’s city centre, a key link within a rapidly changing area. The plans include the creation of a high quality environment to support £650million private sector investment which will include thousands of new homes, offices and leisure opportunities. The Chapel Street East Phase 1 and New Bailey Gateway Phase 2 project has radically transformed Chapel Street, from a vehicle dominated and unwelcoming city centre radial into a sustainable, attractive and people focused corridor establishing Chapel Street as a Regional Centre gateway supporting regeneration aspirations. Prior to the project the area suffered from a poor quality street environment dominated by hard infrastructure, traffic and on street parking.
Salford City Council
Chapel Street East Phase 1 and New Bailey Gateway Phase 2
Chapel Street East is located in the heart of Salford’s city centre, a key link within a rapidly changing area. The plans include the creation of a high quality environment to support £650million private sector investment which will include thousands of new homes, offices and leisure opportunities. The Chapel Street East Phase 1 and New Bailey Gateway Phase 2 project has radically transformed Chapel Street, from a vehicle dominated and unwelcoming city centre radial into a sustainable, attractive and people focused corridor establishing Chapel Street as a Regional Centre gateway supporting regeneration aspirations. Prior to the project the area suffered from a poor quality street environment dominated by hard infrastructure, traffic and on street parking.
Salford City Council
Chapel Street East Phase 1 and New Bailey Gateway Phase 2
Chapel Street East is located in the heart of Salford’s city centre, a key link within a rapidly changing area. The plans include the creation of a high quality environment to support £650million private sector investment which will include thousands of new homes, offices and leisure opportunities. The Chapel Street East Phase 1 and New Bailey Gateway Phase 2 project has radically transformed Chapel Street, from a vehicle dominated and unwelcoming city centre radial into a sustainable, attractive and people focused corridor establishing Chapel Street as a Regional Centre gateway supporting regeneration aspirations. Prior to the project the area suffered from a poor quality street environment dominated by hard infrastructure, traffic and on street parking.
ScotRail
Active Travel Strategy
ScotRail’s ‘Active Travel Strategy’ aims to enable the increased use of walking, wheeling and cycling as part of the passenger journey. This will help deliver against national policy objectives for sustainable travel, whilst also having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the nation. The strategy sets out its ambitions, approach and activity to support key national priorities including The Scottish Government National Transport Strategy 2, Scottish Sustainable Development Goals, National Performance Framework, and The Scottish Government Active Travel Framework. The strategy delivers on four key strategic strands: On Train Delivering high quality, user-friendly cycle storage facilities that support using a cycle (personal transport mode) as part of the train journey.
ScotRail
Active Travel Strategy
ScotRail’s ‘Active Travel Strategy’ aims to enable the increased use of walking, wheeling and cycling as part of the passenger journey. This will help deliver against national policy objectives for sustainable travel, whilst also having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the nation. The strategy sets out its ambitions, approach and activity to support key national priorities including The Scottish Government National Transport Strategy 2, Scottish Sustainable Development Goals, National Performance Framework, and The Scottish Government Active Travel Framework. The strategy delivers on four key strategic strands: On Train Delivering high quality, user-friendly cycle storage facilities that support using a cycle (personal transport mode) as part of the train journey.
ScotRail
Active Travel Strategy
ScotRail’s ‘Active Travel Strategy’ aims to enable the increased use of walking, wheeling and cycling as part of the passenger journey. This will help deliver against national policy objectives for sustainable travel, whilst also having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the nation. The strategy sets out its ambitions, approach and activity to support key national priorities including The Scottish Government National Transport Strategy 2, Scottish Sustainable Development Goals, National Performance Framework, and The Scottish Government Active Travel Framework. The strategy delivers on four key strategic strands: On Train Delivering high quality, user-friendly cycle storage facilities that support using a cycle (personal transport mode) as part of the train journey.
Transport for Greater Manchester
Streets for All
Streets for All is its approach to making Greater Manchester’s streets into places to spend time as well as move through - achieving safer, cleaner, greener and more inclusive outcomes for its communities. It supports the delivery of its Active Travel Mission led by its Active Travel Commissioner on behalf of the Mayor of Greater Manchester. It translates strategic ambition into deliverable design expectations to ensure that a consistent, inclusive approach to public realm incorporating active travel at the forefront is applied across its city region. Form through function is a key outcome, with project design considering how public spaces look and function. Since launching in 2024, its approach has underpinned many public realm and active travel projects across the city region that have improved visual appeal, safety, climate resilience, accessibility and inclusivity, as well as supporting modal shift.
Transport for Greater Manchester
Streets for All
Streets for All is its approach to making Greater Manchester’s streets into places to spend time as well as move through - achieving safer, cleaner, greener and more inclusive outcomes for its communities. It supports the delivery of its Active Travel Mission led by its Active Travel Commissioner on behalf of the Mayor of Greater Manchester. It translates strategic ambition into deliverable design expectations to ensure that a consistent, inclusive approach to public realm incorporating active travel at the forefront is applied across its city region. Form through function is a key outcome, with project design considering how public spaces look and function. Since launching in 2024, its approach has underpinned many public realm and active travel projects across the city region that have improved visual appeal, safety, climate resilience, accessibility and inclusivity, as well as supporting modal shift.
Transport for Greater Manchester
Streets for All
Streets for All is its approach to making Greater Manchester’s streets into places to spend time as well as move through - achieving safer, cleaner, greener and more inclusive outcomes for its communities. It supports the delivery of its Active Travel Mission led by its Active Travel Commissioner on behalf of the Mayor of Greater Manchester. It translates strategic ambition into deliverable design expectations to ensure that a consistent, inclusive approach to public realm incorporating active travel at the forefront is applied across its city region. Form through function is a key outcome, with project design considering how public spaces look and function. Since launching in 2024, its approach has underpinned many public realm and active travel projects across the city region that have improved visual appeal, safety, climate resilience, accessibility and inclusivity, as well as supporting modal shift.
Transport for London
Designing Safer Nights: Active Travel Assessments for Women and Girls
Following the death of Sarah Everard in March 2021, concerns about safety—particularly for women travelling at night—highlighted systemic inequalities in how the built environment is experienced. In response, Transport for London recognised a significant opportunity and a clear responsibility to address these issues through its influence on the design of the public realm and transport provision within the planning system. Through roundtable discussions with women, research into lived experience, and a review of planning processes revealed a key gap: Transport Assessments (TAs) rarely considered nighttime conditions. In 2023, Transport for London introduced a requirement for nighttime Active Travel Zone (ATZ) assessments to ensure these conditions are consistently evaluated and that necessary design or mitigation measures are secured.
Transport for London
Designing Safer Nights: Active Travel Assessments for Women and Girls
Following the death of Sarah Everard in March 2021, concerns about safety—particularly for women travelling at night—highlighted systemic inequalities in how the built environment is experienced. In response, Transport for London recognised a significant opportunity and a clear responsibility to address these issues through its influence on the design of the public realm and transport provision within the planning system. Through roundtable discussions with women, research into lived experience, and a review of planning processes revealed a key gap: Transport Assessments (TAs) rarely considered nighttime conditions. In 2023, Transport for London introduced a requirement for nighttime Active Travel Zone (ATZ) assessments to ensure these conditions are consistently evaluated and that necessary design or mitigation measures are secured.
Transport for London
Designing Safer Nights: Active Travel Assessments for Women and Girls
Following the death of Sarah Everard in March 2021, concerns about safety—particularly for women travelling at night—highlighted systemic inequalities in how the built environment is experienced. In response, Transport for London recognised a significant opportunity and a clear responsibility to address these issues through its influence on the design of the public realm and transport provision within the planning system. Through roundtable discussions with women, research into lived experience, and a review of planning processes revealed a key gap: Transport Assessments (TAs) rarely considered nighttime conditions. In 2023, Transport for London introduced a requirement for nighttime Active Travel Zone (ATZ) assessments to ensure these conditions are consistently evaluated and that necessary design or mitigation measures are secured.
West of England Combined Authority
West of England Mobility Hubs
The project trialled the development and operation of a network of ten mobility hubs across the West of England, a relatively new concept in the UK. The hubs bring together shared, public and active travel options – typically delivered separately - into a single, accessible location, alongside facilities such as wayfinding information, parcel lockers, and public realm improvements. This integrations makes “first and last mile” journeys easier. From the outset, the project aimed to be more than a transport scheme, with a strong focus on enhancing the public realm. In Gainsborough Square, in response to community demand, new planters have successfully stopped people parking on the pavement, which increases the accessibility of the public realm.
West of England Combined Authority
West of England Mobility Hubs
The project trialled the development and operation of a network of ten mobility hubs across the West of England, a relatively new concept in the UK. The hubs bring together shared, public and active travel options – typically delivered separately - into a single, accessible location, alongside facilities such as wayfinding information, parcel lockers, and public realm improvements. This integrations makes “first and last mile” journeys easier. From the outset, the project aimed to be more than a transport scheme, with a strong focus on enhancing the public realm. In Gainsborough Square, in response to community demand, new planters have successfully stopped people parking on the pavement, which increases the accessibility of the public realm.
West of England Combined Authority
West of England Mobility Hubs
The project trialled the development and operation of a network of ten mobility hubs across the West of England, a relatively new concept in the UK. The hubs bring together shared, public and active travel options – typically delivered separately - into a single, accessible location, alongside facilities such as wayfinding information, parcel lockers, and public realm improvements. This integrations makes “first and last mile” journeys easier. From the outset, the project aimed to be more than a transport scheme, with a strong focus on enhancing the public realm. In Gainsborough Square, in response to community demand, new planters have successfully stopped people parking on the pavement, which increases the accessibility of the public realm.
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