UK cities are being offered support to make their urban environments healthier, safer and more welcoming under a new campaign that shows the links between transport and health.

Public health expert Lucy Saunders has developed the Healthy Streets Approach

Launched by the Urban Transport Group – which represents major strategic transport bodies, including Transport for London and Transport for Greater Manchester – the ‘Healthy Streets for All’ programme builds on the Healthy Streets Approach that’s already been adopted in London.

Developed by public health expert Lucy Saunders and included in the Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy, this approach ensures that decision-making on transport, the built environment and public realm prioritises health and the human experience.

The new ‘Healthy Streets for All’ campaign is being run in collaboration with Saunders and will show how the principles and tools behind the scheme in London are applicable to any town or city looking to focus on people’s health and wellbeing when it comes to decision-making on transport and urban planning.

The approach is centred around 10 Healthy Streets Indicators:

• Everyone feels welcome
• People choose to walk, cycle and use public transport
• People feel relaxed
• Easy to cross
• Clean air
• Not too noisy
• Places to stop and rest
• People feel safe
• Things to see and do
• Shade and shelter

Saunders said: “Through this collaboration we want to highlight how the approach can be adapted to reflect streets and experiences outside of London, and to work with cities to understand how the concept can be used to inform policymaking locally.”