Key Points
- Haringey Council aims to increase kerb space dedicated to sustainable uses from the current 7% to 15% by 2032.
- The new Kerbside Strategy focuses on making active travel the default choice, particularly for short local trips.
- Plans include providing more spaces for socialising with enhancements such as better lighting, wayfinding, and public art.
- The strategy sets five priorities: inclusive spaces supporting local business, prioritising active travel, efficient bus operations, safer less congested roads, and cleaner, greener, climate-resilient kerbside.
- The council plans to support electric vehicle use via infrastructure aligned with its Climate Change Action Plan to reach net zero carbon by 2041.
- There is some local opposition concerned about road narrowing and lost parking/loading space, notably in busy areas like Turnpike Lane.
- The council intends to manage kerbside space more efficiently, reallocating it to buses, car-sharing, walking, and cycling, reducing reliance on private cars and improving residents’ health.
- Parking controls and enforcement will play a role in creating safe and accessible footways for all users.
What is Haringey Council’s new Kerbside Strategy?
As reported by TransportXtra on 22 October 2025, Haringey Council has unveiled a comprehensive Kerbside Strategy that aims to transform kerb space from predominantly car use to a more multifunctional approach benefiting pedestrians, cyclists, public transport users, and local businesses. Currently, only 7% of kerb space is allocated to sustainable uses, but the council’s ambition is to double this figure to 15% by 2032. The strategy emphasises active travel—walking and cycling—as the preferred option for short trips within the borough.
The council plans to enhance urban spaces by creating areas for people to dwell, congregate, and socialise supported with improved lighting, wayfinding systems, and more public art installations, creating vibrant and inclusive neighbourhoods to increase community interaction and accessibility.
What are the five priorities of the Kerbside Strategy?
According to the Draft Kerbside Strategy and Electric Vehicle Strategy report from July 2025, the plan rests on five kerbside priorities:
- Creating kerbside spaces that are inclusive, provide places for people, and support local businesses.
- Prioritising accessible and active travel to encourage walking, cycling, and the use of public transport.
- Supporting efficient bus operations to improve public transport reliability.
- Making the road network less congested and safer for all users.
- Ensuring the kerbside is clean, green, and resilient to climate change impacts, including supporting the borough’s ambition to become net zero carbon by 2041.
How does the strategy address electric vehicle infrastructure?
The council’s electric vehicle strategy aligns closely with its Climate Change Action Plan adopted in 2021. The plan outlines steps to become net zero carbon by 2041, which includes expanding the network of on-street electric vehicle charge points. This complements the Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Action Plan from 2019 that set out deliverables for charging infrastructure across the borough.
What measures will support safer and more accessible footways?
The 5 Year Parking Investment Plan 2025/26-2029/30 highlights the importance of managing kerbside spaces to support safety and accessibility for all footway users, including pedestrians, people using wheelchairs, and those pushing prams. The council will enforce parking and servicing regulations to ensure vehicles park and load only where permitted, minimising safety risks and maintaining clear footways.
What are the community responses and concerns?
On the critical side, local commentary, as detailed by a resident contributor on Harringay Online in February 2025, expresses concerns over the council’s approach to reducing road space and parking availability. This local perspective warns that narrowing roads in busy areas such as Turnpike Lane could slow traffic further and restrict loading/unloading spaces, impacting residents and local businesses negatively. The critique highlights apprehension about spending council money on such initiatives during a period of financial constraint and questions the community consultation process.
How will kerb space reallocation impact transport and health?
Reallocating kerb spaces to sustainable transport options such as buses, cycling, walking, and car-sharing will encourage residents to shift away from relying on private cars. The council anticipates this will lead to less congested roads and better air quality, improving public health outcomes. This is a core motivation behind the strategy, linking transport planning with health and environmental goals.
Haringey’s ambitious Kerbside Strategy reflects a broader trend among London boroughs, focusing on redesigning urban space to prioritise people over cars, fostering healthier, safer, and more engaged communities. However, managing resident and business concerns will be vital for the successful implementation of these initiatives. The council’s coordinated investment in parking management, public transport support, active travel infrastructure, and electric vehicle facilities positions Haringey on a pathway toward sustainable urban mobility with enhanced quality of life for its residents.
