Alderman, Alison Gowman, chair of group,
This is a Stakeholder group for transport, City of London have a formal transport policy published in 2019, post COVID it's time for a review of the transport policy. Prof Chris Whitty congratulated the group on the active travel policy for the City.
A full round table with hybrid members joining online.
The focus is to review the City of London Transport policy that was written pre-Covid in 2019. How do you feel transport has changed since the policy was written in 2019?
Carl Lomas, chair of Inst of Couriers, change since 2019 – parcel count delivery to door has doubled. The good news is express final mile in London has taken huge adoption to zero emission with cycle, cargo bike and electric van. Numbers of meal deliveries has also exploded in London since 2019.
Samantha Farm explained the background of the City Transport Policy. In 2019 we were looking to reduce motor transport on the streets of the City of London. Walking around the City was a focus, projections pre Covid showed many people coming into the City and walking, we set out with a view the streets should deliver and delight. There were ten outcomes and 54 proposals for review.
The ten points of the 2019 City of London Transport Strategy policy, More efficient freight and servicing – A great place to walk – More efficient use of street space – Accessible to all – Safe streets (vision zero) – More people choosing to cycle – Clean air and quieter streets –Resilient streets – Better transport connections – Innovation benefits the Square Mile.
Big achievements in the three years since 2019 include Bank Junction changes. COLSAT, the City of London Street accessibility tool. Lunchtime street activities to enliven the streets. During COVID, many widened walkways and cycle ways, this lead to consideration for more permanent measures for nine streets. This includes Cheapside.
Simon Bradbury looked at review process for the 2019 transport policy. ‘Much has changed, COVID, the items focused for review are, Apply an inclusive approach to all our City Streets. Review targets and increased pace of delivery. Improve personal security. Remove commitment to local zero emission and focus on traffic reduction. Understand TfL and wider central London zone. Review EV charging infrastructure. Vision Zero plan to build on the 2018 strategy. Consideration of how people move and the new scooters. Resilient streets, greening streets were possible.
Abbas Raza TfL – Thursdays remain the busiest work day in London. Weekend travel demand is recovering. TfL temporary schemes since COVID include A10 Bishopsgate, reducing volume of traffic and improving Cycle safety and bus journey travel time. The other main change is the opening of the Elizabeth line.
