Many junctions in outer London have been designed for cars and
not for people, so it’s little wonder that many have a fear of
walking or cycling that journey toschool, to work or to the
shops.
The report ‘Hostile Streets – Walking and Cycling at
Outer London Junctions’ is
released today. It points out
that the Mayor could do more to ensure his Healthy Streets policy
is successful.
Main roads and busy junctions make it more difficult for
people to walk and cycle. Some roads in outer London
do not offer even a basic level of service - with crossings
inaccessible to wheelchairs and incomplete cycle lanes that throw
cyclists out into fast-moving traffic.
Three quarters of the 9,718 people who were injured walking or
cycling on London’s roads in 2016, were involved in collisions at
junctions. And 71 per cent of the 1,287 crashes where people were
killed or seriously injured, happened at
junctions. [1]
Recommendations in the report include;
- · TfL
should look beyond collisions data and consider potential to
increase walking and cycling when selecting junctions to improve.
- · TfL
should review the speed limits on all its roads in line with its
new Healthy Streets check. [2]
- · Whilst
on site carrying out standard and major roadworks, TfL and its
contractors should check and resolve critical safety issues for
pedestrians and cyclists.
AM who
released the report on behalf of the London
Assembly Transport
Committee said:
“The reality our investigation uncovered, is that many roads
in outer London sever communities and are hostile places for
people getting about on foot and by bike.
While I’m pleased to see walking and cycling is at the
forefront of the Mayor’s Healthy Streets approach and draft
Transport Strategy, there is a lot to be done in outer London
where most of the untapped potential lies.
In recent years most of the Mayor’s funding has been spent in
inner and central London and decisions around new road schemes
have prioritised car use and inappropriately high-speed limits
have been all too common.
If the Mayor is going to meet his target to get 80% of
journeys made by walking, cycling and public transport by 2041,
he must make it safer and more convenient to walk and
cycle.
This means changing the culture at TfL and prioritising
people, not cars, on London’s streets.”
Chris Boardman, British Cycling policy adviser
said:
“When cycling and walking is prioritised, it becomes safer
and a more attractive option. More people that are enabled to
complete short journeys by foot or on their bike rather than
behind the wheel of a car is the most positive step we can take
towards a long-term reduction in congestion on our roads.”
Notes for Editors:
- STATS19 data, 2016
- This report represents the view of the majority of the
Committee.
The GLA Conservatives’ dissenting views are set out in a minority
opinion in Appendix 1 of this report (pages 41 and 42). In
particular, they disagree with Recommendations 1 and 10.
The UKIP Group disagrees with Recommendations1, 6 and 10.
Further details are included on pages 18, 27 and 38.
- The report ‘Hostile Streets – Walking and Cycling at
Outer London Junctions’ is attached.
