Islington’s makeover of Newington Green has won a prestigious national design award. <br><br>Improvements to landscaping on the green and changes to the highway and streetscape surrounding it scooped the top new prize for excellence in urban transport design at this year’s Transport Practitioners’ ceremony.<br><br>Presenting the award on 5 July in Birmingham, on behalf of sponsors Urban Initiatives, John Dales said:<br><br>“What the judging panel was particularly impressed by was the simple fact that a traffic-dominated gyratory and a badly abused ‘public’ space have been transformed into a place fit for use by all members of the community. <br><br>It's not rocket science, but it did take determination by those representing a wide variety of users to get together and work out a deal for the common good. <br><br>We also thought that, because the Newington Green scheme was relatively inexpensive, it deserves to be more widely known as an exemplar to inspire and encourage others."<br><br>Newington Green is of historic interest as it was once the hunting ground of King Henry VIII and boasts the oldest terraced houses in London on its west side. The recent revamp of the site – a joint collaboration between Islington Council, Transport for London and the local community – has sought to open up the green to everyone and give the pavements back to the people. <br><br>“The community are definitely the winners here,” said Councillor Bridget Fox, Islington’s Executive member for sustainability. “Newington Green is such a positive example of what the council can do, working closely with its partners and local community groups. It’s now a place to visit rather than drive through and the proof of that is the park which everyone loves and uses.”<br><br>Based on a vision of local people in the area, the plan was to significantly increase the amount of space on the green that can be used by people, the range of ways it can be used, and how easily people can get to it. <br><br>Improvements include re-landscaping the green, pollarding trees and overgrown bushes, narrowing roads, widening the footways (10m wide in front of the shops), and pedestrianising the end of Ferntower Road. It also boasts new street lighting and benches, and new zebra crossings to encourage people to use the park and the pleasant shortcuts it now provides.<br> <br>As well as a new children’s playground and café incorporating a Greenspace Ranger’s hut, the green now has 75% more grass, new timber decking seating and meeting areas, new bins, five new silver birches and 3,900 new plants. <br><br>Nicky Southin, Chair of the local residents’ Newington Green Action Group, says the green has made a huge difference for the local community: “It’s fantastic - the changes are incredible. New zebra crossings at the east and west sides are inspired because they open up access through the green and the constant flow of people through makes it safer for everyone. I have just met a woman who’s been catching the bus here for 16 years and never set foot into the green until recently.”<br><br>Islington Council planners consulted local residents and businesses in 2001-2003 and worked with other key stakeholders including Transport for London, English Heritage, Hackney Council, London Buses, Newington Green Action Group, Mildmay Community Trust and the emergency services.<br><br>The council shared the urban design award with a scheme in Nottingham city centre at the award ceremony, which was attended by engineers and planners from all over the country.<br><br>Ends
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009