Project Centre And Southwark Council Win Third Major Award Of 2009

Project Centre, NSL's consultancy services division, and Southwark Council won their third major transport award when they were awarded the Road Safety, Traffic Management and Enforcement Award at the prestigious National Transport Awards at Grosvenor House, London on 22 July.

This year, the Walworth Road project also won the Living Streets Award at British Parking Awards and the Walking and Public Realm Award at the London Transport Awards.

Professor David Begg, chair of the judging panel said: 'The transformation in Walworth Road since the environmental improvements have been introduced is a lesson that local authorities the length and breadth of Britain can learn from. The street is safer, cleaner and economically more viable.'

The Walworth Road is a busy retail high street in Southwark that forms part of the A215 arterial corridor to London. The existing road layout was unsafe for the 20,000 pedestrians who visit every day. Despite 750 metres of railings penning pedestrians on to narrow pavements in the high street, there were 250 traffic accidents in three years.

The new streetscape has removed bus lanes from the high street, widened pavements and planted 40 new street trees. Road safety has been improved and new lighting has halved the street's carbon footprint. Traders are delighted that the number of parking tickets has dropped from 4,500 to 1,500 per year after improved loading facilities for local businesses were introduced.

Mark Raisbeck, Project Centre's managing director said: 'Walworth Road has been recognised by the judges as the best new streetscape in the UK. Southwark Council's vision and Project Centre's passion for design is clearly a winning combination and we are delighted to win our third major award together.'

Tony Armstrong, chief executive of Living Streets said: "The transformation that has occurred on the Walworth Road is a beacon for other busy high streets across the country. What is particularly impressive about this project was that it involved local people and looked at improving the experience of all users - leading to improvements in safety, smoother and quicker bus journeys, and a more pleasant urban environment where people want to walk. Walworth Road now really puts people first and is a model of good planning and design."

Notes for editors

Established in 1992, Project Centre is an integral part of NSL Services. Project Centre provides services in: streetscape design transport planning and modelling parking consultancy, urban design and landscape architecture, traffic and safety engineering, traffic control systems design, highways engineering and management, contract and site supervision, consultation and public engagement, and project management.