The BCC Transport and Connectivity Policy Committee, at their meeting on 14th May 2026, approved the adoption of the Healthy Streets Approach for Bristol City Council transport projects.
Healthy Streets is an approach to creating fairer, sustainable and attractive urban spaces. The Approach is based on 10 evidence-based Healthy Streets Indicators, each describing an aspect of the human experience of being on streets. These ten are prioritised and balanced to improve social, economic and environmental sustainability through how our streets are designed and managed.
BWA submitted the following statement in support of their adoption:
Bristol Walking Alliance (BWA) strongly supports the proposal to adopt the Healthy Streets Approach to transport projects.
BWA has been advocating for this approach since 2017 and it was one of our 50 Ways to Better Walking in Bristol first published in 2021.
The approach provides a comprehensive way of evaluating transport schemes from the perspective of those who have to live with them, making streets more accessible and people centred. It allows qualitative as well as quantitative assessment of any changes, and provides a means to engage with those affected using their everyday experience.
The increased cost of staff time to implement this approach appears minimal (estimated less than 1%). We would also hope that the incremental cost of maintaining street improvements such as planting and street trees will be factored into maintenance budgets, recognising that such improvements produce public health benefits that in turn will reduce costs to the council and the healthcare service.