Shortlands, Ravensbourne and Bromley Better Villages is one of 11 successful bids from across London announced on 5 March as part of multi-million pound Liveable Neighbourhoods programme.
Engagement and consultation will follow with local people and other stakeholders over the coming months about the early stage proposals. It is great that the effort in developing this bid has been rewarded and that the bid was so highly regarded that this funding round was launched in Bromley. Securing Mayoral funding for outer London is never easy and we thank the team that delivered the Shortlands, Ravensbourne and Bromley Better Villages (SRBBV) offer. It is pleasing that the funders have brought into the Bromley way of delivering transport and environment improvements.
This project will improve travel connections for pedestrians and cyclists to and past Shortlands station from the surrounding area with new protected cycle lanes on Bromley Road and Valley Road and new pedestrian crossings across the busy A222. New public spaces will be created around the Shortlands war memorial and Shortlands village centre along with pocket parks and improvements for walking throughout the scheme area, thereby improving the sense of ‘place’. Station Road will be significantly improved for pedestrians crossing with the introduction of a new ‘pocket park’ and a new ‘cycle hub’ will be constructed at Shortlands station. School Streets will make it easier for pupils to get to school without cars and three low traffic impact neighbourhoods will be created, dramatically reducing the impact of traffic on residential streets.
Councillor William Huntington-Thresher, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Environment and Community Services said, “This will help tackle longstanding local traffic and environmental concerns in the area and we have already been engaging with local people and consultation will follow in coming year. We are looking to improve local transport options for everyone in the area, making walking and cycling more attractive choices for local school pupils, parents, commuters and local people more generally. This will also help improve journey times for drivers as the impact of congestion is lessened. All of this in turn will help create a more welcoming place at the nearby shopping parade and at the much loved Shortlands war memorial.”
Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “For too long streets around London have been designed solely around cars and motor traffic. Our investment in Bromley Council’s proposals for Shortlands will give people in the area a real choice in how they get around, making it much easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport. Walking and cycling are vital for our health, wellbeing and the future vibrancy and success of London’s local high streets. We’ll continue to work closely with boroughs like Bromley to make our streets more welcoming for people getting around on foot and by cycle.”