Clear clutter to deliver people-friendly streets

The government wants councils to listen to local people and cut unnecessary signs, bollards and guardrails from streets. CABE’s work shows that excessive clutter can damage a street’s character and lead to confusion among road users.

Communities helped to cut the clutter at Red Lion Square in Stamford. Photo by Stephen McLaren.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles and transport secretary Philip Hammond have written to councils reminding them to use street furniture sparingly and have recommended councils interpret technical advice so it suits their local area.

Research studies by English Heritage and CPRE show that up to 70 per cent of street furniture is redundant. Signs are often duplicated and fears over safety have sometimes led to a heavy-handed approach. Yet confusion over who is responsible for decluttering streets means that many have become obstacle courses rather than places where people want to spend time.

It is time for councils to listen to what communities want. If a pole or sign is required, then creative thinking is needed about how it can be combined with something else or made to serve multiple functions.

CABE’s technical design support has helped communities cut the clutter and create spaces that work for them. For example, in Stamford, Lincolnshire, CABE helped Stamford Vision, a community interest company, organise and run a design competition to redesign the Sheep Market and Red Lion Square. The brief and the judging criteria for the competition were based on feedback from residents, business owners and local authority officers. The winning scheme created two linked clutter-free, flexible spaces.

Our case studies allow people to learn from others’ experience of improving local streets. In Liverpool, HOPES, a community group, was actively involved from the start in the design and consultation process for Hope Street. The clutter-free street now provides a simple backdrop for surrounding buildings and the activities that take place on it.

In Nottingham, while planning major works to Maid Marian Way, the city council identified the need for both design guidance and direct action. This has helped coordinate council and private sector improvements to streets and squares. A ‘clutter buster’ has removed thousands of redundant signs around the city centre and removed the need to continually raise orders for sign removals. It has resulted in a more responsive service that works pro-actively. 

Streatham High Road, identified as the worst street in the country in CABE's 2002 Streets of Shame campaign, has since been transformed. Technical support from CABE helped to set up the ‘drive thru to destination’ masterplan. First the high road was cleared of unnecessary poles and guardrailing, then the street was redesigned, pavements widened, signs coordinated, and bins, bus stops and seating rationalised to minimise clutter and better meet the needs of users. Street design improvements have continued further north on the A23 at Brixton.

Local residents who want to get street clutter removed should contact their ward councillor to let them know their concerns and find out the name of the officer responsible for street clutter at their local council. English Heritage’s Save our streets website also provides advice on how to cut street clutter.