London’s boroughs are currently consulting on measures to revise the London Lorry Control Scheme, which restricts the movement of HGVs, to require vehicles to have side guards and proximity mirrors fitted.
Now London Councils, the umbrella body for the boroughs, and Transport for London are teaming-up to require such safety measures be fitted on all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes using their respective road networks.
Mayor Boris Johnson says he had intended to levy “a hefty charge on lorries without such equipment” but that by working together he and the boroughs were able to introduce “a simple and comprehensive ban.”
City Hall says Transport for London is working on a Traffic Regulation Order which will ban HGVs without cyclist safety equipment on its own roads – estimated to account for 45 per cent of all HGV traffic in London.
A similar order will be proposed at London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee in March would introduce a ban on borough controlled roads.
Subject to formal consultation and approval by the Department for Transport, the ban could be in place “as September, and by the end of the year at the latest.”
Mayor Johnson said: “Neither I nor the boroughs have the power to ban lorries without safety equipment on our own. It was for that reason that I proposed to use a power I do have, to levy a hefty charge on lorries without such equipment. But I am pleased to say that after negotiations with London Councils, we can now combine our powers to propose a simple and comprehensive ban.”
Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, Councillor Catherine West said: “London Councils is supportive of further action to improve cycle safety in London and will continue to work closely with the Mayor and Transport for London to develop the proposal for a new London-wide Safer Lorry Scheme.
“London Councils is currently consulting on plans to improve cycle safety in London by making changes to the London Lorry Control Scheme that would require all lorries weighing over 18 tonnes to have extra mirrors and side guards before being issued a permit under the scheme.”
