Wednesday 12 October 2016

Media contact
Katharine McGee
T: +44 (0)20 7203 1897
M: +44 (0)7827 241528
E: kmcgee@londonchamber.co.uk

A radical approach is needed to get to grips with congestion says LCCI

A dramatic rethink of how traffic is managed on London's roads is vital to deal with an expanding population, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has warned.

London is fast approaching mega-city status and congestion measures previously introduced in the capital (such as the C-Charge) may no longer be as effective as intended.

Therefore the business organisation believes London's leaders need to reassess current approaches in some areas and come up with new and innovative ideas to keep the city moving.

Ideas include:

• A reassessment into the cycle super highway scheme and exploration into semi-segregated cycle lanes during peak hours, rather than remaining part of the permanent infrastructure
• Devolution of responsibility for commuter rail to TfL in order to ensure smoother running and prevent the need for replacement bus services
• Maximising the use of the river in moving goods and passengers around the city
• Explore the options for further consolidation of deliveries (rather than individual door-to-door services)
• Moving as many business deliveries as possible from the 7am-11am morning-peak, where freight vehicles account for 25% of traffic and investigating night time slots. This could help businesses operate more efficiently by avoiding
• congestion.
• Look to build more fixed river crossings in East London as well as Silvertown Tunnel and the recent pedestrian/cycle bridge and DLR extension

The recommendations were made in a submission to the London Assembly's Transport Committee Congestion Investigation.

Chief Executive of LCCI, Colin Stanbridge said:

"I recognise that some of these measures won't be immediately palatable to some groups.

"But we have made too many decisions because something seems like a nice idea, the easier route, or the most environmentally friendly idea without really thinking through the consequences.

"Whilst a number of initiatives, such as retiming and consolidation, have an important role to play in reducing congestion, they can only provide part of the solution.

"We need to be radical, to look at whether outdated rules still serve a purpose and to build infrastructure that isn't just a stop gap solution."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR:

1. London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is the capital's largest and most representative business organisation, with members ranging in size from multi-national companies to SMEs and sole traders.
2. Colin Stanbridge, Chief Executive is available for further comment and interview.