Streets are the foreground of our buildings and the backdrop to everyday lives.  Yet England’s streets are increasingly cluttered with a proliferation of traffic signs, bins, bollards, guard rails and street furniture.  This results in streetscapes that are both unsightly and lack character.  Co-ordinated action is needed to reverse this decline.

Retaining historic features keeps the streets individuality and helps create a sense of place.  It can contribute to regeneration: well designed, well ordered and well maintained streets are an expression of a confident and caring community.  Chaotic and cluttered streets are a symptom of a community in decline with low self-esteem.  Investing in quality solutions reduces maintenance costs and makes cleaning easier.

English Heritage Save our Streets campaign, in conjunction with the Women’s Institute, aimed to raise awareness of the deterioration of England’s Streets, and encouraged WIs and other groups and members of the public to complete an audit of their local streets to send to local councillors to let them know of public concern about the quality of the local environment.

To follow up the campaign, English Heritage is working with the Department for Transport to produce Streets for All guidance manuals aimed mainly at local authority highway professionals.  The manuals are being produced on a regional basis and will include practical advice and examples specific to each region.

To view the full Streets for All document please click on the links in the right-hand column of this page