Reducing Traffic Congestion in London Released 19 January 2017
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Appendix 1 Transport Committee Report Impact Review London stalling: Reducing traffic congestion in London Released 19 January 2017 Stakeholder feedback “I welcome your report and the Committee’s focus on addressing the problem of congestion across the capital.” Cllr Julian Bell, Chair of Transport & Environment Committee, London Councils “Can I just say well done to the Committee on some of your recent reports? I hope the Mayor listens to some of them. I thought the one on [congestion] in particular had some excellent points made.” David Begg, Transport Times and Visiting Professor, Plymouth University "Today, we welcome the findings of the London Assembly Transport Committee into congestion on London's streets. This is an issue that not only affects the productivity of the capital's businesses, but more importantly, the physical and mental health of its residents.” Suzanne Moroney, Institution of Civil Engineers London "This is an important and timely report. It is right to recommend taking forward road pricing which could be a real improvement on the Congestion Charge by targeting fees on those journeys causing congestion and pollution.” Bridget Fox, Campaign for Better Transport Media coverage The report received widespread national and local media coverage on publication. The Chair was interviewed on BBC Sunday Politics, ITV1 London, BBC London Radio, LBC and Heart London. Additional broadcast reports were featured on BBC One London News, BBC News Channel, ITV1’s Late Debate, London Live and BBC radio stations outside London. National print coverage included the Financial Times (front page), Economist, Daily Express, Daily Mail and the Metro. Local press coverage included the Evening Standard, City AM, Time Out London. The report was also widely covered in transport trade publications. Transport Committee Mayoral response and recommendation implementation The Mayor released a new congestion action plan during the investigation in November 2016, addressing some of the problems highlighted by the committee in meetings so far – primarily delays caused by roadworks.1 The committee received the Mayor’s formal response to the report in April 2017. Subsequently the draft Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS), released in June, also contained further details of how the Mayor is planning to implement the report’s recommendations. Overall the response to the report has been positive. The Mayor and TfL supported the vast majority of the recommendations and announced plans to implement key proposals. Recommendation2 Progress Summary 1 Charging for road use: The draft MTS includes proposals to keep the - Short-term reform of Congestion Charge under review (proposal Congestion Charge so charges 18), and to consider the potential reflect usage time and distance introduction of integrated road pricing (19). travelled. - Longer-term development of Significant reform is not anticipated before wider road pricing proposals 2020, however. integrating all other TfL road The Mayor has confirmed he continues to charges. lobby the Government for VED devolution. - Update from the Mayor on lobbying for devolution of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). 2 TfL to ensure that new monitoring The Mayor’s response states there will be technology for the Ultra Low consideration of how this can be achieved. Emissions Zone is compatible with the future requirements of a road pricing scheme. 3 Encourage bids from boroughs The draft MTS states that TfL will work with interested in piloting a local any borough wishing to develop a Workplace Workplace Parking Levy, including Parking Levy (21). offering additional funding to borough(s) to initiate the scheme. 4 Encourage more delivery The draft MTS states that large-scale new consolidation, including developments should have consolidation promoting this approach in the strategies (77). It sets a target for the whole London Plan; work with London of London to be within 30 minutes of a Councils to reduce restrictions on night-time deliveries. construction consolidation centre (15). The Mayor will also work with Business Improvement Districts to re-time deliveries (15). The Mayor’s response to the committee also confirmed TfL is participating in London Councils’ review of the Lorry Control Scheme to reduce barriers to off-peak deliveries. 1 https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-of-london-vows-to-tackle-londons-congestion 2 David Kurten AM of UKIP disagreed with Recommendations 2 and 3, and partially disagreed with Recommendations 1 and 10, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report. Steve O’Connell AM of the GLA Conservatives clarified his views on Recommendation 1 of the report in an addendum. Transport Committee 5 TfL to pilot a ban on personal TfL has introduced a ban on personal deliveries for staff, with the deliveries for its staff. The draft MTS Mayor promoting this policy to proposes the Mayor encourages all central other large employers. London businesses to ban personal deliveries (15). 6 Reconsider the approach to ‘click The Mayor’s response confirms that TfL is and collect’ at Tube and rail talking to retailers and parcel companies stations. Stations should be about working together to offer ‘click and identified for a pilot programme collect’ services at stations. in which multiple retailers and/or freight operators can deliver packages to a station for collection. 7 Set out how new regulations for The draft MTS reiterates the Mayor’s call for the private hire industry and the new government regulation of the private legislative changes he is hire industry. However the Mayor has not set advocating will affect congestion out what the congestion impact of his levels in London; assess the impact of making private hire proposals would be. The TfL Commissioner vehicles subject to a new road has promised to publish a feasibility study pricing regime. into removing the Congestion Charge exemption for private hire vehicles, although this is not expected to examine the potential impact of road pricing. 8 Conduct analysis of the impact of The Mayor’s response states it is difficult to TfL’s Road and Transport isolate and measure the impact of Road and Enforcement Team and, if it is Transport Enforcement Officers as distinct proven to be cost-effective, set from other interventions. However TfL is out plans to expand the size and coverage of the team. currently in the process of improving its monitoring so it can carry out this analysis. 9 Assess the effectiveness of the The Mayor’s response states that TfL London Permit and Lane Rental regularly assesses the effectiveness of these schemes for roadworks. schemes and finds that they are effective. The Mayor is lobbying the government for some additional powers to manage roadworks. 10 Continue to implement the Road The Mayor accepts in his response that too Modernisation Plan; report to the many Superhighways were constructed committee on how the simultaneously without effective construction of additional coordination to minimise congestion impacts. Superhighways and other major projects will be planned more TfL is pledging to introduce enhanced effectively to minimise traffic forward planning and coordination with congestion. other major works, including developing a new central infrastructure database. 11 Conduct analysis of the impact of TfL is carrying out customer research to the pilot scheme displaying traffic understand how people use the bus notices, notices on buses and, if it is and will then determine if there is a business proven to be cost-effective, set case for wider rollout. out plans to roll out the programme more widely. .