The report makes a number of recommendations including calling for Transport for London to publish projections of congestion levels “if nothing is done to alleviate it by 2031” as well as projections taking into account the likely effect of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.
AMs have also called on TfL to publish a plan outlining how its planned lane rental scheme would operate and for Mayor Boris Johnson to encourage schemes which “help to reduce demand on the road network”.
A majority of Assembly Members on the committee have also called on the Mayor to implement a road user hierarchy requiring transport planners to prioritise the needs of public transport users, cyclists and walkers over those of car users.
Conservative AMs disagree with their colleagues and say all road users should be treated equally and that neither the Mayor nor Government should seek to impose an “artificial” hierarchy.
The Tory group also says there is “no occasion when a large London-wide road user charging scheme should be introduced” and insists any new road charging system be “limited to small, local schemes which have the support of local people.”
Deputy Chair of the Transport Committee, Val Shawcross AM, said: “The situation on the road network will only get worse unless the Mayor actively looks for better ways to manage congestion and promote public transport, walking and cycling.
“Our report urges him to take another look at the tools available to tackle congestion as his current plans are simply not going to cut it.”
The report, The Future of Road Congestion in London, can be downloaded from the London Assembly website.
