Why cities need trees: Angus Cunningham Q&A

We are currently crowdfunding to plant 200 trees in Islington to help combat air pollution.

The trees have been donated by Forest for Change, an interactive art exhibition that took place in the Somerset House courtyard last month.

Angus Cunningham is the CEO of Scotscape, an urban greening company who worked on the installation and are supporting our project.

We put some questions to him to find out more about urban tree planting, and why he’s so passionate about biodiversity in cities.

What led you into your profession?

My parents were very keen gardeners, and I spent school holidays spent gardening for neighbours in rural Scotland! When I landed in London in 1984 to seek my fortune, it was the default career choice. After a year as an apprentice at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, I joined the ranks of the self-employed gardening fraternity and have remained there ever since!

What were the biggest challenges with the Somerset House project?

Firstly it was choosing the trees, and making sure that their foliage colour and height matched the computer-generated image that had already been released to the press!

We also had to ensure they would not blow over, whilst not being able to fix into or damage the cobbles or the fountains in the courtyard.

Finally we had to keep them alive during a very hot spell over the month.

What trees are best for city streets?

We picked a variety of trees, including some non-natives. Native trees are not necessarily the best choice, as they are struggling with climate change and disease.

Trees at Forest for Change included common lime (Tilia platyphyllos), silver birch (Betula pendula), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), hazel (Corylus avellena), Norway maple (Acer platanoides), European Hornbeam (Carpinus Betula ‘Fastigata’), walnut (Juglens regia) and small leaved lime (Tilia Cordata ‘Greenspire’).

How much watering does a newly planted tree need?

The amount of watering required is very much specific to the site and dependant on the weather.

In general terms, once the buds on the trees begin to break, they require watering every 3-4 days during dry periods. Smaller trees of 12-14 cms girth require 50-60 litres of water per watering, whist semi-mature trees of 20-25cm girth need as much as 100-120 litres.

The watering period usually lasts from April until September.

How should newly-planted trees be protected?

Smaller trees of 12-14 cms girth should be protected from high winds using stakes and ties, left in place for 3-4 years.

Larger trees of 20-25cm girth should have stakes left in place for 4-6 years.

Why is introducing biodiversity into cities important?

The global population is increasing by 83 million people a year. By 2050, 68% of the population will be living in cities – up from 55% in 2015.

Biodiversity is required in urban places to make them healthier and more sustainable places to live and work.

Why should people support the Islington Forest for Change project?

We need more trees to ensure we have amazing air quality and for humanity to thrive in our cities.

We are inter-connected with nature, and a single tree can support life on so many levels, from within the soil to its connection to everything around it.

Ultimately we need to be creating more and more wildlife corridors. A single tree is ok, but a project like Islington Forest for Change creates connection at all levels.

The Islington Forest for Change crowdfunder runs until 28th July 2021. For a donation of £150, you can sponsor a tree in the name of an individual or organisation.

Finding forever homes for Islington Forest for Change Trees

Our mission is to plant up to 200 trees in Islington to help reduce toxic air pollution and counter the heating effects of climate change. But we also value the impact they have on the environment and residents wellbeing. That’s why we are striving to find homes for Islington Forest for Change trees in as many different locations as possible. Here are some of the communities we are helping through this project.

Housing Estates

Residents on The Grove housing estate lost two trees a few years ago in their communal gardens. They’ve been trying to get them replaced since but their housing management haven’t taken action. When they heard about Islington Forest for Change they got in touch and we’ve allocated them two suitable trees. Through our partnership with Islington Council, they will be planted in the Autumn. The residents gardening group is already planning a welcoming party to celebrate their arrival. They will continue to take care of these trees and this community involvement will increase their chances of survival from 70% to 95%. As they bed in for the first three years they need extra water on hot days whilst their roots become established.

Schools

Hugh Myddelton School is in one of the most polluted parts of the borough. The parents and teacher have worked together tirelessly to reduce air pollution in and around the school. This year they are revamping their nursery playground which is currently an open space with a tarmac area. They plan to landscape the playground and turn it into a wonderful, safe and green place for the children to play. We will be donating up to 5 trees to create a mini-forest in the playground. The trees will not only produce oxygen and soak up carbon, they will provide shade for the children and a natural environment that will boost their wellbeing.

Residential streets

Theberton Street has a strong community of residents but it is blighted with high levels of traffic, creating air pollution and noise. There are five empty tree pits on this street that residents have been asking the council to plant with new trees. The residents of Theberton Street realised through Islington Forest for Change, they could help take action. They started a mini-fundraiser that many contributed to and raised enough for five new trees which will be planted this Autumn. They will continue to take ownership of these trees so their chances of survival are greatly increased. Neighbourhoods with more trees and greenery are also safer and crime is shown to reduce.

Next steps

Islington Forest for Change has created so many more inspirational examples of schools, residents associations and community groups in Islington, coming together to request trees or raise money through mini-fundraisers. This enables Islington Forest for Change to benefit a wide variety of communities across all areas of the borough.

The conversations are growing as we learn about the importance of trees in our urban environment. Together we can grow this urban forest.

If you would like to start a mini-fundraiser, sponsor a tree or donate please visit our crowdfunder page to find out how:

http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/islington-forest-for-change

If you would like to suggest a location please email us: islingtoncleanair@gmail.com

Launching our urban forest crowdfunder

We’re excited to launch Islington Forest for Change, a project to plant an ‘urban forest’ in Islington to help reduce toxic air pollution. The trees will help regenerate urban and green spaces, and well as greening our streets, estates, schools and neighbourhoods.

Up to 200 trees are being donated to Islington Clean Air Parents by Forest for Change, an installation by artist Es Devlin open at Somerset House from 1-27 June.

To get the trees professionally planted around Islington, we need to raise £15,000. This will cover the transport, planting with supports, and watering of the trees whilst they take root in their new homes.

We are delighted that Islington Council is supporting the project and will take on the long-term maintenance of the trees. This is a community project and will bring together many local groups, schools and organisations.

Please consider pledging to our crowdfunding campaign. Each tree costs £150 to plant, and anyone donating this amount can dedicate a tree in the name of an individual, family, school or organisation. There are also other rewards for smaller donations.

New campaign: Unite the Fields

The Highbury Crescent road dividing the two sections of Highbury Fields has been closed to traffic since 2014. Initially it was used as a construction compound for the rebuilding works at Highbury Corner. In 2020, Islington Council agreed to reopen the road to pedestrians and cyclists only, under temporary rules.

This has enabled children to cross the road safely, and to scoot, cycle or play in the road.

We now have the opportunity to make this permanent, and to rethink how the space could be better used – whether for nature, play, exercise, or something else.

We expect the council to launch a consultation on the future of the road this summer. Our campaign will encourage a strong and imaginative response, with the aim to Unite the Fields!

Follow the campaign:
Twitter: @unitethefields
Instagram: @unitethefields

Let’s avoid congestion and pollution on the school run

As we return to the daily school routine, Islington Clean Air Parents are joining Transport for London, Islington Council and the Mayor of London in encouraging people to walk, cycle or scoot to and from school. 

We know it’s not always easy, especially when it’s wet, you’re running late, or your kids are refusing to walk (we’ve been there!). But once you make it into a habit, it’s a great way to get some exercise, and to notice more of the people and goings-on of your local neighbourhood.

Here are our tips on how to make getting to school as fun and stress-free as possible: 

  • Take a slightly different route each day, and let your child choose
  • Look out for flowers and other signs of Spring
  • When COVID rules allow, arrange to meet up with your child’s class friends en-route so they can walk together
  • Let your child scoot or cycle, and talk to your school about a safe place to park them

For those who need to drive, remember not to park on the zigzags outside the school gate, and to turn your engine off whilst stopped. The pollution from an idling car, especially when immediately outside a school, from an exhaust at child height, can contribute towards childhood asthma and lung disease.

We are also supporting the introduction of people friendly streets (reducing through traffic) and timed road closures outside schools, to make it safer and nicer to get to school by walking, cycling or scooting.

Stay safe – we hope your children enjoy their return to school!

Islington Clean Air Parents is a growing network of concerned people who want urgent action so that children can breath clean air.

Sign up to our mailing list for more news on our campaigns and to get involved with making change.

Leave your tips and suggestions for a safe and active school run in the comments below.

Call to Action! Green Heart campaign

 

Islington Clean Air Parents and other local groups have been campaigning for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) see our article here. 

In 2020, local residents all over Islington came together to support the Council’s positive action to create Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, aka People Friendly Streets.  We are supporting the move to reduce traffic and transform our streets into spaces that children can enjoy, where they feel safe and most importantly can breathe cleaner air. 

ICAP and our members have proudly supported and joined with local residents to get local low traffic neighbourhood campaign groups up and running, and we continue to be active supporters. These neighbourhood groups now have informative websites, thousands of members and Twitter followers. The numbers have grown so much that we are delighted to announce the neighbourhood groups have come together under one umbrella as Low Traffic Islington www.lowtrafficislington.org

Your call to Action:

If you want less traffic on your street join us and thousands of others as we show our love for a #lowtrafficislington with a Green Heart 💚

The idea is to have as many Green Heart posters as possible in windows all across Islington to show the enormous number of people who want a low traffic Islington, with cleaner, healthier and safer streets.

Please print off a green heart 💚 and put it in your window. For all budding artists there’s one to colour in – let your children get creative!

[Outline Heart to Colour In]

[Green Heart on Blue Background]

[Green Heart on White Background]

Please take photos of windows with Green Hearts in them and share on social media with the location using #lowtrafficislington and the green heart 💚

e.g. “Green Heart spotted in Offord Road 💚 #lowtrafficislington”

Finally, please share this with your network of: friends; neighbours; parent groups and, especially, schools -after all, schools are at the ‘heart’ of our community.

Thank you for your support.

If you’re not already a member please sign up to our mailing list. If you would like to get more involved or have a clean air issue you would like to campaign for please email islingtoncleanair@gmail.com.

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

 

Islington Clean Air Parents are campaigning to reduce harmful levels of air pollution that are damaging our children’s health. Motor vehicles are not the only source but they account for 50% of air pollution in Islington.  Low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) are one of a number of measures that can effectively reduce traffic on minor roads and subsequently traffic overall, and create space for walking and cycling which improves air quality.

In 2019 Islington Borough Council “committed to improve all residential areas in Islington to create a healthy, fair, accessible and enjoyable environment, and to enable local people to walk and cycle safely.” Part of this plan was to introduce low traffic neighbourhoods, in Islington they are called People Friendly Streets.

We are a completely independent and voluntary campaigning group but we are supporting the council’s People Friendly Streets scheme because we recognise that low traffic improves air quality and makes streets healthier for our children.

What is a low traffic neighbourhood?

A low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) is an area which are closed off to through traffic (except existing bus routes and emergency vehicles), so that you can drive in and out of the area, but can’t drive through it. All homes remain accessible by vehicle, but the layout stops people using minor roads as short cuts and makes it safer and easier to walk and cycle.

Why do we need low traffic neighbourhoods?

Research from around the world shows that LTNs reduce traffic in minor roads, enable residents to walk and cycle, and reduce air pollution, road danger, congestion and obesity.

We visited London’s first LTN scheme, ‘Mini-Holland’ in Waltham Forest. See the account of our visit here.  The scheme has been very successful in reducing air pollution. A Kings College study shows compared with 2013, changes to road infrastructure in Waltham Forest will reduce exposure to NO2 by 25% and by 13% for particulate matter by 2020.

We can all benefit from low traffic neighbourhoods. We love this clear and informative leaflet which explains all.

The council have rapidly increased the implementation of LTNs in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid has impacted the space we use to get around and there has been a massive reduction in public transport capacity to enable social distancing. If people choose to take to their cars as an alternative, it is estimated that traffic in Islington would double, creating a huge increase in congestion and air pollution.

The Government issued a statutory guide which required all local authorities to reallocate space to encourage cycling and walking and create space for social distancing. Many local authorities, including Islington and TFL have been rapidly changing street space across the capital to enable active travel.   More details about Islington Council’s People Friendly Streets are on their FAQ page.

What is the consultation process?

A formal public consultation process will follow 12 -18 months after the scheme goes in, but you can show your support now by adding comments to the Common Place Map or by completing online surveys here, if you live or work in Islington you can complete them it only takes a few minutes but is really helpful.  These are only temporary schemes at the moment so it is very important to show your support now and during the consultation period to make sure we get to keep them and continue to improve air quality.

What have ICAP been doing?

ICAP have been working with our members, local residents and other community campaigning groups to discuss local traffic issues and feedback to the council.  

  • We began by holding a number of Zoom meetings with local residents in Barnsbury, St Mary’s, Finsbury, Bunhill, Clerkenwell and St Georges Wards.
  • We helped set up and support local low traffic neighbourhood groups.
  • We have collaborated with other community groups to hold events in St Peter’s and Canonbury to celebrate the introduction of their LTNs.
  • We have been actively raising awareness and engaging in discussion on Twitter, Nextdoor and writing to the local press.

How do I campaign for a Low Traffic Neighbourhood?

  • Get involved in your local LTN group. If there isn’t one, start your own! We can offer support, share our experience and help get you up and running.
  • Go out with your family and enjoy the LTNs already implemented so that you can see for yourself what LTNs are really like.
  • Contact your ward councillors who are keen to hear from residents. You can also attend ward partnership meetings. More information can be found here

Here is a list of local LTN groups in Islington so far, more to come:

Spread the word! We simply need to drive less and make the streets safer and air cleaner for all of us, especially our children.

Sources:

Waltham Forest Air Quality https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/content/air-quality

If you’re not already a member please sign up. If you would like to get more involved or have a clean air issue you would like to campaign for please email islingtoncleanair@gmail.com.

Clean Air Toolkit for Schools Launch Event

Islington Clean Air Parents is proud to launch a new Clean Air Toolkit for Schools in collaboration with Islington Council.

One of the starting points for many of our members was noticing air pollution in and around our children’s school or nursery. However it can be daunting to learn how to take action and make the improvements our children deserve.

This is why Islington Clean Air Parents campaigned for a clean air toolkit for schools. The toolkit makes it easy for parents to find out the best action to take and how. Book your free ticket to the launch event and learn how to fast forward your campaign for clean air, reduce toxic air pollution and improve the environment at your school.

Launch event on Zoom

  • Introduction from Islington Clean Air Parents
  • Guest speaker Rowena Champion, Islington Council, Executive Councillor for the Environment
  • Hear from other parents who have taken action to clean up air pollution at their child’s school or nursery
  • Learn how to access and use Islington’s clean air toolkit
  • Helpful information: Frequently Asked Questions
  • Ask your questions, connect and meet other parents

Book now

The toolkit has been created by parents in Islington who have been tackling these issues over the past few years and includes the range of measures that can be taken to improve air quality. The toolkit will help you discuss air pollution issues with your school and decide which measures will be most effective.

Get inspiration from other parents and hear how they have successfully worked with their children’s school to take action. We’ll be joined by Islington Council who will be able to answer your questions. Plus we’ll share a useful list of Frequently Asked Questions including useful links to the council and other organisations.

Book your free ticket here to our live 1 hour Zoom event

7.30pm, 28th January, 2021

Anti-idling Poster Campaign

Our new poster campaign, designed in collaboration with Islington Council, is aimed at encouraging drivers to switch off their engines. If you have experienced problems on your walk to school with air pollution from parked cars running their engines, then please join us in taking positive action to change it by taking part in our anti-idling poster campaign.

Help reduce air pollution in your neighbourhood

Islington council has agreed for members of Islington Clean Air Parents to put up posters on lampposts near schools and parks where we see idling problems. The poster has been designed with the council which they have printed.   

Parents in Islington have been putting up posters near their children’s school and playgrounds.

How to Get Involved

It’s easy to get involved and put posters up in your neighbourhood. Start by identifying the names of the roads near your children’s school, nursery or park where you notice cars idling. 

Please email us with the following details:
– List of streets you’d like to put posters up in.
– The quantity of posters you’d like for each street
– Name of nearby school, nursery or park
– An address where we can deliver your posters to (this will be used for this purpose only and not retained for any other use)

The council has asked each of us putting up posters to keep an eye on them and take the posters down or replace them if they get damaged. This will help keep the campaign looking current and be more effective.

Take Action

If you’d like to get involved, please join Islington Clean Air Parents and email us with the details above.

Islingtoncleanair@gmail.com

Islington’s People Friendly Streets offer hope for disabled parent

Lucy Facer meets Islington parent and mobility scooter user Carly Ashdown to find out what impact People Friendly Streets will have on the school run.

Islington Council announced the implementation of People Friendly Streets (the council’s brand for low traffic neighbourhoods) across half of the borough by March 2021. They will have a significant impact in reducing traffic, creating safer roads and improving air quality across the borough.

When I met Carly at the corner of Liverpool Road and Islington Park Street, she had just experienced an abusive situation with a car driver. In fact, it was so recent she pointed out the driver who was still at the traffic lights. Carly’s story is shocking.

‘I’ve just been dealing with another road rage situation” she told me, “beeping, shouting, I get all kinds of abuse from drivers.”

Carly is an Islington resident, an established artist and mother to a six year old who attends school in Barnsbury. Like the majority of disabled people, Carly doesn’t drive a car but she has a mobility scooter that enables her travel. She picks up her son from school every day, skillfully navigating local streets.

“At least once a day, drivers beep or shout at me, but it can be as many as five times a day. It’s quite upsetting. Sometimes I wear a pollution mask or headphones to help me block out the abuse – it helps me cope.”

The worst roads are the busiest ones: Holloway Road, Liverpool Road, Upper Street, but none are good. Cycle lanes make it relatively better for Carly. Mobility scooters have a legal right to use the road, but drivers make Carly feel unwelcome. They make her feel as though she is an inconvenience on the road.

“It’s not safe, the roads are really quite dangerous. Cars overtake me on blind corners as they can’t wait – my top speed is only 14 kilometres per hour. They often behave as though I shouldn’t be on the road.”

The law also allows Carly to use her mobility scooter on the pavement. “But I can’t go faster than 4 kph on the pavement and there are often obstacles in my way. I always travel on the pavement when I have my son with me as I would fear for his safety on the roads”

However the pavements aren’t always easy to navigate. As we walk towards her son’s school, the pathway is blocked. A workman has put up a temporary fence. Pedestrians can easily pass but there’s not enough room for the mobility scooter. Carly calls out to him and he quickly moves it allow her to pass, but these things pop up all the time. It may be a tree stump causing a pavement to rise up or a lack of dropped curbs but essentially, she feels there is no place for her.

“It’s like choosing between a rock and a hard place – whether to go on the pavement or road.”

Driving around during lockdown gave Carly respite from abusive drivers. “The roads were much safer, there was much less traffic which made it much easier to drive on the roads.”

I asked Carly what she thought of Islington Council’s plans to create People Friendly Streets.

“It will make it much easier for me to travel around, the roads are much safer when they are closed off to through traffic. I can easily navigate the filters and my journey becomes much less stressful. The more space there is, the less abuse I receive.”

Over half of air pollution in Islington is created by traffic and this has the most significant impact on vulnerable groups including children.

“As far as I’m concerned they will be a win-win, People Friendly Streets will mean safer roads and less air pollution for us all.”

People Friendly Streets will be life-changing for Carly. They will improve her access and her ability to travel around the borough safely. Her advice to anyone with a disabled relative – low traffic neighbourhoods will significantly improve their lives, safety and mobility.

17 July 2020: Carly‘s story features in the Islington Tribune