The Mayor’s Roads Task Force (RTF) has set out a bold new vision for the future of London’s roads and streets.
It is estimated delivery of the vision will require substantial, long-term investment of at least £30 billion over the next 20 years.
The RTF wants to ensure the capital can cope with major population growth, support jobs and thousands of new homes, while remaining one of the most attractive, vibrant, accessible and competitive world cities.
Some of the main proposals include:
· Vision to improve performance of road network and enhance public space, to support jobs, new homes and a more ‘liveable’ city
· New road tunnels could create better surface space and conditions for walking, cycling and urban realm
· Deliveries retimed outside peak hours alongside well managed access for freight to support businesses, cut congestion and improve safety.
Eighty per cent of all trips made by people and 90% of all goods moved in London every day are on roads. Streets also account for 80% of London’s public spaces. With London’s population set to rise by a further 1.7 million to around 10m by 2031, the demands on London’s roads and streets from all users is only set to grow.
The RTF is calling for major investment to support not just the efficient and reliable movement of people and goods, but high quality roads, public spaces and revitalised high streets to improve the liveability of the capital and ensure it remains attractive and competitive among world cities.
Iconic streets and places such as London Bridge, Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road and King’s Cross, could all be revived under the plans.
The proposals would be delivered through Transport for London (TfL), boroughs, central government, developers and other stakeholders working collaboratively.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has welcomed the proposals. He said: “I welcome the Roads Task Force report and the bold approach it proposes for London’s 21st century roads and streets. It is in tune with my 2020 Vision, our plans on cycling and for investment in London’s roads and streets.
“For this great city to retain its global pre-eminence, it is essential we continue to invest and have the courage and vision to develop and drive forward innovative solutions. This is a fantastic contribution and I look forward to working with partners, including those represented on the Roads Task Force, in taking many of these ideas forward.”
The RTF’s vision focuses on three core aims:
· To enable people and vehicles to move more efficiently on London’s streets and roads;
· To transform the environment for cycling, walking and public transport;
· To improve the public realm and provide better and safer places for all the activities that take place on the city’s streets, and provide an enhanced quality of life.
Transport for London has welcomed the report and issued its own response entitled 'Delivering the vision for London's streets and roads: TfL's response to the Roads Task Force'.
London’s transport commissioner, Sir Peter Hendy CBE, said: “We welcome the Roads Task Force’s vision, as it is one we share. It rightly recognises that delivering the vision requires major and sustained investment in London’s road and public transport networks and we will continue to work with partners to make the case and develop innovative funding solutions.
“We’ll now work with partners, including London’s boroughs, to turn this vision into reality and deliver more reliable road journeys, safer, more attractive streets and town centres, and to transform the environment for walking and cycling.”
The full Roads Task Force report, ‘The vision and direction for London’s streets and roads’, an Executive Summary and TfL’s report, 'Delivering the vision for London's streets and roads: TfL's response to the Roads Task Force', is available to download at www.tfl.gov.uk/roadstaskforce
