Streatham High Road was voted as Britain's Worst Street in a 2002 poll by CABE (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment). TfL, Lambeth and the Streatham High Road Town Centre Management began a process of change with the “from Drive-thru to Destination” masterplan that will promote the needs of pedestrians, shoppers, cyclists and public transport users before the requirements of traffic on the A23.

Atkins, the lead consultants of the masterplan, brought on board Intelligent Space Partnership to support the proposed walking improvements with innovative analysis. Intelligent Space undertook surveys of pedestrian flows and highlighted the key problem of severance that the masterplan has to address: 72% of pedestrian flows are located on one side of the street. Crossing surveys were used to evaluate how well existing crossing facilities are located. A computer program was used to analyse high-resolution maps of the High Street and calculate the ‘desire lines’ for pedestrian movement, based on what pedestrians can see at ground level as they move around. This analysis was used to help the design team assess where new crossings for pedestrians will have the maximum benefit.

The findings of the Intelligent Space analysis have been used to develop a design concept that promotes walking, cycling and public transport modes. The masterplan responds to the findings of the pedestrian survey by widening footways, improve key pedestrian crossings and the de-cluttering of the public realm.

Pedestrian signage and interpretation has been identified as a priority to ensure that all visitors arriving by public transport can quickly orientate themselves to the wide range of retail, leisure and public facilities on offer along Europe’s longest High Street.