Inclusive Construction Project - Tower Hamlets Council, Real DPO & Transport for London

The council's Development Coordination Team work closely with developers and contractors who work throughout the borough, looking at the issues and challenges faced by both developers and residents with regard to construction works.

We want to capture the lived experiences of residents:

• with varied disabilities and/or impairments
• who are neuro divergent
• identify as being part of the D/deaf community

We want to understand the difficulties that they experience when navigating public areas around construction sites, with the aim of co-producing guidance on what should be ‘best practice’ around construction sites, as well as to bring about the behavioural change of contractors through raising awareness of these issues.

We also aim to help develop the capability of residents to be able to engage with developers in a meaningful way to help improve access around construction sites.

Since 2021, the Development Coordination Team have been working on initiatives to improve the way in which construction is carried out within Tower Hamlets. In particular, initiatives which help to reduce or eradicate the negative impacts of development upon the health of the borough's residents and business community.

Visit Development coordination - Local community and developers (towerhamlets.gov.uk)(External link) for more information.

In 2023, the council commissioned a research project looking into how long term and continual development within the borough impacted upon the health of our local residents. Whilst the research concentrated on the Marsh Wall, E14, the research had implications for the whole of the borough.

The culmination of this research provided evidence as to how construction affects people’s health and daily lives and recommended measures that should be implemented by developers to ensure that negative impacts are mitigated or kept to a minimum.

The full copy of the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) can be downloaded here The Health Impacts of Cumulative Construction on and around Marsh Wall, E14. | Let’s Talk Tower Hamlets

Inclusive Construction Project & Survey

The Development Coordination Team, in co-production with Real DPO (Disabled Persons Organisation) and Transport For London (TFL), are looking at how construction within the borough affects the lives of people with disabilities, to help bring about positive change and improvements to accessibility to public spaces around construction sites.

If you would like to share your experiences of navigating around the borough’s streets and footpaths around construction sites, please complete the questionnaire below. The results will help to provide us with a better understanding of the challenges that people face and to help us shape future guidance and policy to help bring about positive change.

This survey is open to anyone who identifies with any of the following:

• have varied disabilities and/or impairments
• are neuro divergent
• identify as being part of the D/deaf community

We would also like to hear from carers who care for people with disabilities.

Whilst we may included your answers in any published public work, personal details will not be included.

If you have any queries, or would like any further information, please contact the LBTH Development Coordination Team development.coordination@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Who are we working with?

Real DPO (Disabled Persons Organistion)

Real DPO (Disabled Persons Organisation) is a not-for-profit charity run by disabled people, for disabled people and help to provide support to anyone in Tower Hamlets and surrounding areas, who are disabled or who has a long-term health condition

Real believes that disabled people should have the same choices and opportunities in their lives as non-disabled people, and challenge inequality and discrimination.

They help support people with any type of impairment or disability, and of all ages, genders, gender identities, ethnicities, religions, beliefs, and sexual orientations.

Transport for London (TFL) Construction Advisory & Innovations Team

The Transport for London (TFL) Construction Advisory & Innovation Team help to bring people together to problem solve difficult situations whether they be community, logistical, or construction related, to help make London’s Road network safer, more inclusive and accessible for vulnerable road users.

They encourage contractors and developers to meet communities, engage in discussions, go out for a walk and ride with them and learn from the experience which helps to develop strategies to minimise the impact of major developments on the public - prioritising safety, security, disability equality, and environmental protection.