Southwark Council won the prestigious National Authority of the Year award for transport, last month, writes Nora Selina Helal…
The Council was awarded for reaching its sustainable transport goals, despite facing cuts in funding and increasing costs.
Southwark was also recognised for its commitment to creating safer and easily accessible streets to support cyclists and pedestrians in a borough where fewer people own and use cars.
Cllr Richard Livingstone, cabinet member for Environment, Transport Management and Air Quality, said: “Our highways team works closely with communities across Southwark, making our roads safer, more attractive and open to a number of different users.
“It is wonderful to see them gain this esteemed recognition of their past successes and innovative future plans.“
Southwark Council and Transport for London are investing over £30 million in cycling over the five-year period to 2020, in order to meet the council’s target to more than double the level of cycling in the borough, over the next ten years.
This would add more than 40,000 additional trips by bike every day.
Southwark sits at the centre of London’s transport network with approximately 300,000 residents and over 50 million commuters passing through every year.
The Council fought off tough competition from Waltham Forest, Aberdeenshire and Gateshead Councils to claim the award at the Westminster Park Plaza Hotel.
More than 600 transport professionals attended the event hosted by broadcaster and presenter, Jeremy Vine, and transport secretary, Chris Grayling.
Earlier this year, Southwark also won the Borough of the Year award at the London Transport Awards, a British Parking Award for its Kerbside strategy, and young transport professional awards.