Mayor's Transport Strategy: The Challenges

The "Statement of Intent" for the New Mayoral Transport Strategy has now been released. In the posts in this series, we will attempt to summarise its content. The full document can be found here.

"Supporting economic development and population growth"

In 2007, the city was home to 7.6 million people and 4.7 million jobs. According to 2006 figures, London’s transport system carries 23.8 million passenger journeys a day – a figure likely to rise to more than 26 million by 2026 (one million more people are expected to be accommodated in the capital by 2031). There is also significant rail freight traffic, and Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) mileage is forecast to grow by 10 per cent and light goods vehicle (LGV) movements by up to 30 per cent in the same period.

The commuting culture has continued to persist over the last few decades, perpetuating the relatively long journeys people make to work in London.

This has created significant capacity pressures in the transport system something that is likely to be exacerbated not only by future population growth, but also by the number of households in the Capital which will grow faster than overall population figures as average household sizes are declining.

Radial transport links will continue to be essential, therefore, for commuting into central London. An emphasis should be placed, however, on improving orbital connectivity, and improve transport links into metropolitan town centres outside of central London.

Improvements in both these areas are under development (such as the Thameslink project and various Overground works) and should not be neglected, but transport
modelling shows that if further measures are not taken beyond 2017, crowding and congestion on public transport will once again start to increase.

"Providing a better quality of life for all Londoners"

A number of challenges are evident in this area. Transport has a significant impact on air quality and noise, and also present significant challenges to which the MTS must respond in tandem with the Mayor’s other strategies. London’s air quality remains the poorest of any English region and improvements in this area would directly contribute toimproved health for all Londoners. Levels of ambient noise are also significantly higher than elsewhere.

Easy access to mechanised transport and the more sedentary way of life that it has, at least in part created, has had a significant negative effect on overall levels of fitness and obesity. [Does this mean that tube strikes and/or closures can now be argued as achieving this goal? – JB]

Good transport planning can also connect communities, and enhance streetscapes, similarly, London Underground alone are responsible for the management of a
substantial proportion of the Capital’s wildlife habitats. Success in this area, therefore, is vital to ensure that a better quality of life is delivered.

"Ensuring the safety and security of all Londoners"

The challenge here is an obvious one – to make London a safer place to live, work and visit. Lack of safety and security (both perceived and actual) is a barrier to travel and therefore crime, the fear of crime, antisocial behaviour, road safety, occupational health, and the safety of transport systems, staff and the public are challenges that must be met.

"Improving transport opportunities for all Londoners"

95 per cent of Londoners now live within five minutes walk of a bus stop, all of the bus fleet and 40 per cent of bus stops are now physically accessible, as are a third of National Rail stations and 20 per cent of Underground stations from street to platform. Around a third of signalized pedestrian crossings are also accessible to disabled people.

This, however, needs to continue to improve, as do efforts in non-physical areas such as better information and communications and ensuring that transport services
are affordable.

The last of these is doubly crucial, as poor transport is often a significant barrier in to improving areas of poverty (of which London has many). It restricts access to jobs, services, education and training opportunities, and social networks.

Better transport can break these spirals of decline by improving accessibility and raising aspirations. It can also act as a significant catalyst for regeneration, and play a role in widening the benefits of economic prosperity. [Bet that doesn’t mean Hackney gets to keep the Bendy 38 though – JB]

"Tackling climate change"

Under the GLA Act 2007, the Mayor has a legal duty to have regard to climate change and to take action to address both the causes and consequences of climate change.

A target has been set to reduce London’s greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent (from their 1990 levels) by 2025.

CO2 is (obviously) London’s dominant type of climate change emission and ground-based transport is a significant source, accounting for around 22 per cent of overall emissions (almost 10 million tonnes of CO2 per year).

Private passenger road transport accounts for about 50% of this, while commercial road freight contributes 25%. Buses, taxis and private hire vehicles, the Underground and National Rail contribute about 5% each and ground-based aviation movements accounts for the rest. All these areas will need to be investigated and improved upon.

Finally, the transport system will need to adapt to a changed climate of warmer and wetter winters and hotter and drier summers with more frequent and intense extreme weather as Global Warming kicks in.

"Delivering the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games"

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games present a huge challenge, with more than 7.7 million tickets available and in excess of 800,000 spectators expected on the busiest days. In addition, there will be around 20,000 athletes and team officials, and more than 50,000 people from international sport federations, the International Olympic Committee, the media and marketing partners.

All will need safe and reliable transport to sporting venues across London.

The Paralympic Games will provide similar challenges, although they will be on a smaller scale in terms of overall attendance. Obviously, however, many of those involved in and visiting the games willhave specific mobility requirements.

A key challenge during the 2012 Games will also be minimizing the impact they have on Londoners’ everyday activities, and ensuring that after the events are finished, East London reaps the maximum benefit in regeneration and renewal.