Note. This is a stand-alone report/document page without links. To return to main pages, either close or minimise this window.

This is an article taken from Transport 2000's web site. It encapsulates many of the transport issues in London that FOE is concerned about and we heartily endorse its views and the work of Transport 2000 (T2000).

**************

London encapsulates many of the concerns central to Transport 2000: severe congestion, inadequate public transport and a poor environment for pedestrians and cyclists. But Londoners are more ready to embrace radical solutions to transport problems and in many ways London is a testbed for new ideas, such as congestion charging. In London, Transport 2000 advocates traffic reduction and improved alternatives to the car and aims to influence transport policy so that it meets the needs of all Londoners, including disadvantaged groups.

Traffic reduction through congestion charging, a substantial programme of bus improvement, an emphasis on accessibility for people with disabilities and better provision for walking and cycling: all these are improvements that have been taking place in London and part of Transport 2000`s vision for the capital.
Transport 2000 promotes all aspects of sustainable transport in the capital and counters the car-talk of motoring organisations and media commentators. Creating constructive working relations with the Greater London Authority and Transport for London is a high priority.

Transport 2000 has an active local group in London and with the help of the Bridge House Estates Trust Fund, employs a project worker to seek solutions to transport problems in the capital.

Transport 2000 was an early supporter of congestion charging in the capital, saying it was the best idea since the London Underground. Congestion charging has cut traffic in central London by 16 per cent and congestion by 30 per cent. Reports say that car traffic has been cut by up to 38 per cent. The result has been a better environment for pedestrians, an increase in cycling of one third, fewer delays for buses and faster journeys for commercial vehicles.

Significant change is now becoming obvious too with Transport for London`s programme of bus service improvements and better facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and those with mobility difficulties. Major work has been underway at some of London`s most notorious traffic blackspots: Trafalgar Square (now mostly pedestrianised), Vauxhall Cross and the Shoreditch one-way system (now returned to two way working).

But not nearly enough is being done to reduce traffic in outer London where most car journeys are made. Funding for measures to reduce the impact of traffic both on residential areas and on main roads must be dramatically increased.

But by no means all of the Mayor and Transport for London`s transport schemes are welcome. Despite earlier commitment and policies in his Transport Strategy, the Mayor is pursuing a road building programme cost almost £1 billion. A major element is the Thames Gateway Bridge, a proposal to construct a six-lane motorway across the Thames between Beckton and Thamesmead. You can find out more about this proposal in the special campaign section through the link at the foot of the T2000 web page.

Other strands in Transport 2000`s developing work programme in London include:
· Highlighting the particular transport needs of socially excluded groups.
· Working with companies on practical projects to reduce reliance on the car.
· Promoting slower speeds and road safety.
· Campaigning for better provision for local journeys made primarily on foot and by bicycle.
· Spreading `streets for people` initiatives, including Home Zones and 20mph zones.
· Pushing for a better deal for rail services in London to provide high quality, frequent metro services and exploit unused and under used rail lines.

Transport 2000 acts alone and with other voluntary sector groups. It plays a central role in the London Transport Activists Roundtable (London TAR), a coalition of environmental and social interest organisations promoting sustainable and accessible transport. With other voluntary sector alliances, London TAR is helping to create a forum for regular discussions with Transport for London.

London`s transport problems may be more acute than elsewhere but there is greater recognition of what must be done, more support for progressive policies and wider scope to reduce car dependence and the need to travel.

A YouGov survey for Transport 2000 in October 2002 confirmed that Londoners see the importance of public transport, walking and cycling. Sixty-four per cent of people want more bus lanes (28 per cent against), 67 per cent want more cycle lanes (26 per cent against) and 61 per cent want better pedestrian facilities such as wider pavements and more crossing places (32 per cent against). People in London also want to see the negative effects of traffic reduced. Forty-six per cent think speed limits should be enforced more strictly (9 per cent less strictly) and 75 per cent think speed cameras should be more widely used on roads where dangerous speeding is a problem (20 per cent against).

Over half of all journeys in London are less than 2 kilometres. At least 1.4 million more journeys per day could easily be made on foot and by bike instead of by car, Tube and bus, according to a new report by Transport 2000 and other groups. This would relieve congestion on the roads and public transport, reducing the number of car journeys by 8.5 per cent and the number of Tube and bus journeys by 7 per cent.

To achieve this London would need much better walking and cycling facilities but these could be provided over about six years at a total cost of £330 million. This would be outstanding value for money. A major public transport project like the West London Tram, for example, would cost £425 million but cater for only about 115,000 journeys per day. A modern urban transport system needs good walking and cycling facilities; London still doesn't have them. The London campaign of Transport 2000 has challenged Transport for London to reverse the neglect of walking and cycling opportunities in the capital. The campaign's case is made in the leaflet Realising the Potential: Walking and cycling in London, which can be downloaded from the T2000 website.

Jan 2005

Note. This is a stand-alone report/document page without links. To return to main pages, either close or minimise this window.