Grimsby sustainable street furniture start-up Doing R Bit has completed its first contract in London.
A parklet - a structure that transforms a single street space from roadside parking to community use - has been delivered for The Camden Clean Air Initiative. Major city success is high on the wishlist for managing director Dave Spencer, who ditched retirement after being inspired to act on sustainability initiatives by his grandson.
Having forged a career leading a company that excelled in cycle storage facilities, he is now aiming to breathe further green life into urban areas, providing car-free solutions while cleaning up with the actual fabric of the additions. And with London the forerunner in awareness of what congestion can bring, he hopes to build further on the initial project in Belsize Park.
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“Although this is not a big win monetarily, it’s certainly a big win for us as a company and the environment, especially for the people of Camden,” Mr Spencer said, having been invited to bid for the project, designed by Levene Landscapes. “It is the first entry into a London borough, and one of many I hope.
"We were delighted that Doing R Bit was chosen as the preferred supplier due to our environmental credentials among other things.”
And the credentials ranked highly with the installation, which features planters, seating, cycle parking and a dog-friendly lead hook and bowl.
“All the timber used to create the planters and decking for the parklet came from locally sourced storm-damaged larch trees that went through our local sawmill to be cut and planed to size before being assembled in our workshop,” Mr Spencer enthused.
“Larch is a wonderful natural sustainable timber which requires no chemical treatment to preserve its life as it is inherently oily and resinous giving it longevity. It will naturally turn a silvery grey over time allowing it to sit beautifully in its surroundings.”
Sponsored by Transport for London e-bike and e-scooter partner Lime, it is a 12-month trial. Camden was the first London borough to formally adopt World Health Organisation air quality guidelines, and the not-for-profit action group builds on the area's "rebellious streak and power to create change", having formed to try and preserve the noted difference in air quality enjoyed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Georgina McGivern, programme manager of The Camden Clean Air Initiative, told how the installation on Antrim Road aims to “reduce traffic, encourage active travel, and increase beautiful space in the community”.
She said: “This trial Parklet will be in place for 12 months and if viewed as a success by the council and community, will contribute to the development of the Camden Parklet Scheme.”
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