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What was that you said? Boris calls for quieter spaces in the capital
Katharine Barney, City Hall Reporter09.10.09
Boris Johnson today called for more “tranquil spaces” to provide an escape from the noise of the city.
The Mayor wants local councils to identify existing quiet areas and establish new “oases” to help commuters relax.
He also set out plans to reduce noise by introducing more hybrid buses and smoother road surfaces.
Speaking at the Tranquil Spaces conference at London Zoo, Mr Johnson said: “The importance of these oases of calm cannot be underestimated in making our quality of life better.
“It is right that we explore ways to create, protect and enhance tranquil spots taking account of the needs of ordinary Londoners.”
He added he was “working to reduce unnecessary noise” through the introduction of hybrid buses and said that electric cars would play a significant part in reducing traffic noise in the future.
“We are also boosting tranquillity through additional street trees, park makeovers and the creation and protection of green spaces,” Mr Johnson said.
“Particularly the new Olympic Park, where wetlands will create a haven of tranquillity.”
He said noise can have a detrimental effect on people's quality of life, health and wellbeing.
It follows a study by Westminster Council which found people can feel peaceful in busy crowds and traffic if “calming” measures such as trees and wildlife are introduced.
Councils are being called upon to take action based on the findings. This could include measures such as resurfacing roads near parks with quieter surfaces or installing water fountains and planting more trees.
Speaking about intended measures, Mr Johnson said he was revamping 11 parks and pointed to the public cycle hire scheme, the planting of 10,000 street trees, the introduction of 2,012 new food growing spaces by 2012, as well as opposing a third runway at Heathrow airport.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London: “My top tranquil spot is Highbury Fields. This is a gem of a place, a real wonder of Islington. I fondly recall going there after the birth of my first child to take in its contemplative beauty. I also choose the Fields to jog and blow away the cobwebs ahead of a hard day's toil.”
Bill Bryson, author and president of Campaign to Protect Rural England: “London has some wonderful green spaces and it's vital for mind and body refreshment that we keep and enhance our tranquil places. Green Park is 40 acres of blissful refuge that I use for thinking, walking and reading. And if I stand in the middle of the park, my mobile phone has no signal, which is just about perfect.”
Rosie Boycott, Chairwoman of London Food, author and journalist: “My haven, the place I find truly tranquil at the heart of London, is the Serpentine. There is a lovely little spot, opposite where the Henry Moore statues used to be, where I can sit by the water, people-watch and see the ducks swim past. It is an incredibly soothing place to sit and watch the world go by, particularly in the autumn, when you can see the reflections of the trees in the water.”
Reader views (7)
Mark's right: Boris should begin by getting rid of automated bus and tube announcements, including those on platforms. No single blind passenger will ever happen to stagger onto a seat on a bus by pure chance, having avoided the driver and having no idea where the bus is going. Of the real passengers, those who are blind know which bus they are on, and only need to hear what the next stop is. Those who don't speak English have almost certainly worked out which bus they are on before getting on; and unless they're blind too, a chart on the wall will tell them where they're going.
Yet London's buses now loudly announce on leaving every stop what bus you're on, and where it's headed. It's pointless, a waste of money and energy, and extremely irritating. It interferes with reading or listening to music.
If he did something about that, I'd be impressed.
- Carl Gardner, London
Get those stupid annoying announcements off of buses, the message board is sufficient. On the buses I get the majority of passengers fall into two distinct categories, namely: a) those who know where they are going and b) those who don't understand English. What's the point of upsetting the peace for the very small minority who understand English but don't know where they are going?
- Mark, South-East London
He could start by turning the announcements off, or at least down, on the tube and particularly the platforms. The new automated announcements are hideous, patronising and above all unnecessary. And they're seemingly getting louder and more frequent every week as more and more people wear headphones to block them out. I've just spent £30 on a pair of isolation headphones as I can't bear it any more.
- Rover, London, England
Gladiatrix, London, England.
How very well put, the sirens in London are beyond a joke.
Can Boris also put conductors back on buses, as there are far too many kids, travelling for free, with phones blaring tinny sounding r n b music.
- P Staker, Londonistan.
Pehaps Mr Boris Johnson might urgently speak to Lambeth Council about the horrendous junction of Thorton Avenue with Telford Avenue in SW2 (part of Lambeth's Scheme 45). This problem was introduced by Lambeth Council in 2006, in an exclusively residential area, represents a complete nightmare for many local residents due to both "noise assault" and vibration assault" which the Council happily ignore due to a quaint clause in Section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1990!
Yes, it's absolutely TRUE! Whilst the resident's Convention and Human Rights are "breached" Lambeth simply ignore the terror that they have brought into ALL of the lives of those residents affected. There's democracy for you! So come on Mr Johnson, let's not just hear the talk . . . Let's NOW see some positive action that gets RESULTS on this disgraceful matter!
- Fraser, Telford Park
Can we see another Boris u-turn here and does this mean that Parliament Square pedestrianisation might be reintroduced?
- Chris, Finchley
If Boris is working to reduce unnecessary noise as he claims perhaps he would like to start with the emergency services. Their persistent misuse of their sirens, and the excessive volume of those sirens, is a public nuisance. I have written to Boris asking him to do something about it and despite his chairing bodies such as the Met Police Authority have been told he has no power.
This is patently ludicrous. Perhaps the Evening Standard could ask Boris formally to explain why his own staff are contradicting the claims he is making.
- Gladiatrix, London, England
