Islington's Transport Strategy and Local ... - Islington Council

Islington’s Transport Strategy Local Implementation Plan 2011 to 2031
2.21 The level of the deprivation suffered by some of the borough’s residents is best
demonstrated by Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) data gathered via the Census. The
most recent Index of Multiple Deprivation data from 2010 shows that in spite of the
borough’s economic success overall, and the many wealthy residents attracted to the
borough,, the deprivation in some parts of Islington is such that it still registers the fourteenth
most deprived local authority in England.
2.22 In order to facilitate analysis at a more detailed level than ward boundaries, Census data
can be broken down into small areas called ‘Super-output areas’. Analysis of the Index of
Multiple Deprivation data at this level shows that 62% of Islington residents live in an area of
the borough ranked amongst the most deprived 10% of ‘super-output areas’ in the country.
2.23 Deprivation is often reflected in people’s health and mobility. Islington’s poorest residents
also suffer disproportionately from the negative health and environmental impacts of
transport, such as noise and air pollution, contributing to illnesses such as respiratory
disease, stress and ultimately shorter life expectancy.
2.24 Road traffic casualties are more frequent in areas of high deprivation, putting poorer
residents and children at higher risk of being injured or killed in road traffic incidents. Figure
5 shows levels of deprivation for ‘super-output areas’ in Islington, overlaid with the locations
of people killed or seriously injured, showing that many incidents happen on principal roads,
and that in general, there are more road traffic accidents near these locations of high
deprivation.
2.25 Roads and other transport infrastructure, and the overall layout of an urban area, can act as
barriers to people accessing opportunities. This can especially be the case for people living
in social housing, such as those who live on large housing estates with low levels of access
to public transport. Often there are limited or no public transport options within the estate
and the layout of an estate can means residents have to walk relatively far to leave the
estate via an indirect walking route. Main roads often border estates, creating a further
barrier to accessibility. Figure 6 shows a map of Islington’s ‘Public Transport Accessibility
Levels’ (PTALs). This figure illustrates that areas with the lowest accessibility levels often
coincide with areas of high deprivation.
Health and disability
2.26 Health and disability are important factors in people’s mobility, and their ability to use
Islington’s transport network. Transport also suffers negative health and environmental
impacts such as noise and air pollution that contribute towards illnesses like respiratory
disease, stress, and ultimately a shorter life expectancy. Social housing is often
concentrated near main roads, which means its residents are exposed to relatively high
levels of noise and air pollution.
2.27 Inadequacies in the transport network can make it more difficult for disabled people to get
around. In Islington, there is a substantial proportion of the population who have visible or
invisible disabilities, or mobility difficulties affecting their ability to travel around the borough
and beyond. Over 15% of Islington’s working age population have a limiting long-term
illness. This compares to a figure of less than 12% in Greater London and 14% across the
UK (Office for National Statistics, 2001).
2.28 Mobility difficulties tend to increase with age. London-wide, less then 4% of people under
the age of 45 have a transport-related illness or disability, or in other words an illness or
disability influencing their ability to travel or transport requirements. This percentage rises to
11% of those aged between 45 and 59, and rises dramatically to 29% of people over the
age of 60.
London Borough of Islington 19 March 2012