Success Stories

Clearing a Path

The removal of kerbs can make navigating public spaces difficult for blind and partially sighted people.

Royal College of Art industrial design engineering graduate Ross Atkin has been selected as the first Helen Hamlyn-CABE Space research associate.

Sight line: designing better navigation for public spaces is funded jointly by CABE and the Royal College of Art (RCA) Helen Hamlyn Centre. The aim of the year’s programme is to investigate new product design solutions that address the problems faced by blind and partially sighted people navigating urban streets and public spaces.

The recent trend towards decluttering streets has seen the removal of signs, railings and, in some cases, kerbs. Spaces with the traditional demarcations and rules removed have reduced traffic speeds and accident numbers, but can impact on the ability of blind and partially sighted people to independently navigate these spaces.

Blister paving, the most common product design solution on our streets, is now over 20 years old. It can also cause problems for pedestrians with mobility issues and the elderly. CABE and the RCA Helen Hamlyn Centre are keen to explore the development of possible alternatives that work for all street users.

Rama Gheerawo, programme leader of the Helen Hamlyn Research Associates programme, said: "The research associates programme has led to some truly inspired ideas over the past ten years. Ross has practical experience as a designer on streetscape projects such as White City, Grosvenor Square and Hereford Town Centre and excellent research skills. I’m looking forward to working with him and other organisations who share an interest in this area."

Walk London – Exemplar walking routes

Having a well signed, accessible and pleasant environment to walk in means people are more likely to return, and may also become more adventurous in discovering new places in which to walk.

Walk London, funded by Transport for London, is working with all 33 London boroughs to manage, maintain and promote six strategic walks that cover 533km of routes in the Greater London Area – providing an amazing opportunity for everyone to discover the Capital on foot.

The routes are designed to be exemplars of best practice, and provide people with a quality walking experience.  You can visit www.walklondon.org.uk to view and download free information on all 7 routes.

In 2007-08 all 7 routes were surveyed to enable a three year programme of work to be developed and agreed with the boroughs, to ensure the routes are enjoyable and accessible to walkers. 

This was done using LAMS (London Access Management Systems) – an innovative, GIS based, information management system.  The user-friendly system holds information on furniture, problems and works completed for each route, as well as data about accessibility and other information of value to the public arena.

By having this system available to route managers and boroughs, the walking environment is being improved and traditional deterrents to walking are being addressed systematically, appropriately and efficiently, providing:

• good on-site signage;
• interpretation and practical maps to key destinations;
• accessible footways and paths that are in good condition and well lit;
• resting places at appropriate intervals;
• road crossings; and
• promotion and events that entice and fulfil expectations of a quality experience.

If you would like to find out more about LAMS, then please contact the Walk London LAMS Data Manager abi.mansley@walklondon.org.uk.

The Royal Parks Agency

The Royal Parks Agency has recently invested in new mapping to help improve how we walk and enjoy our Parks in central London.  The new mapping is featured in the new Department for Transport Mapping guidance documents prepared by Walk England and will be used to help launch Walk England on 18th June in Richmond Park.


BTCV (The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers)

BTCV (The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) runs a successful project called ‘Green Gym’ www.btcv.org.uk/greengym. Ten years since it first started, there are now more than 95 Green Gyms across the UK.

Volunteers, often referred by their GP, join in conservation activities in their local area.  The tasks they undertake to improve the natural environment often include footpath clearance and upgrading meaning that the wider community also benefits through improved access. Several Green Gym projects work in tandem with local health walks groups. Research has shown that taking part in Green Gym sessions can help improve self-esteem and reduce depression. 

If you would like to share your success stories with us, please contact us.