Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, today revealed that, since the introduction of the congestion charge, the amount of traffic entering central London during charging hours has been cut by around 20 per cent. Transport for London analysis suggests that traffic levels in the western extension area will be reduced by 10-15 per cent when the zone goes live on 19 February, reducing congestion in the zone by at least 15 per cent. Projections also show that if it were not for the central London congestion charge scheme, the capital's roads would be verging on gridlock.
The Mayor warned though that congestion-charging is the main reason that roadworks have not caused the city centre to grind to a halt. The Mayor called on the Government to accelerate the completion of regulations that would give powers to Transport for London and the London boroughs to better co-ordinate streetworks in the city.
The Mayor wants regulations promised under the Traffic Management Act 2004, which would replace the current chaotic system of streetworks, to be agreed immediately. Transport for London is ready to manage and co-ordinate works more effectively once the powers being called for are granted.
The reduction in traffic that congestion charging has brought has had many benefits, including a significant cut in CO2 and the most harmful vehicle emissions within the zone.
Independent research demonstrates that road safety has improved with up to 70 fewer personal road injuries per year as a direct result of congestion charging. And more people than ever before are feeling safe enough to cycle on London’s roads. There has been a 72 per cent increase in the number of cyclists on the capital’s major roads since 2000, with around 450,000 cycle journeys a day.
Despite these successes, Transport for London has observed an increase in congestion in the central congestion-charging zone, particularly during 2006. This has occurred despite the fact that traffic levels have remained around 20 per cent below pre-charging levels. Transport for London’s latest findings reveal that congestion levels are being influenced by the increase in activity affecting the capacity of the central London road network, especially poorly co-ordinated streetworks.
In 2006 there was a marked increase in temporary reductions in the road network capacity, due to streetworks being undertaken by utility companies, particularly water and gas works.
Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone said:
"Congestion charging has reduced traffic in central London by around 20 per cent and is hailed as a success around the world. It has also delivered real improvements to air quality, reduced CO2 emissions, enhanced safety for pedestrians and cyclists and improved the reliability of the bus network. London is the only major city in the world that has seen a shift to public transport from private car use.
“Without congestion charging, central London would almost certainly have ground to a halt by now.
"This said, the planning and carrying out of streetworks is extremely chaotic, and is now having a negative impact on the effectiveness of the measures brought in to tackle congestion.
“I have been asking the Government to move forward on regulating and coordinating the digging up of roads for over two years. I now call on Government to urgently bring these regulations into force. They are essential to keep London’s traffic moving, working in tandem with congestion charging and the benefits it has brought to London.
“I recognise that many of the utility works, particularly water and gas, are essential to renew London’s ageing infrastructure. This will inevitably lead to some disruption. However, what is urgently needed is greater co-ordination, to minimise the impact on London’s roads and traffic.”
Peter Brown, Chief Operating Officer at Transport for London’s London Streets, said:
“We recognise how important the renewal of London's ageing utilities system is, and part of our job is to facilitate that work.
“However, it is extremely difficult to do that in a well co-ordinated and managed way and the situation will become intolerable without the legislation that we have been awaiting for two years. Only that legislation will provide the incentives for utilities companies and their contractors that are clearly required to help us to minimise the impact of these works.”
Last year’s TfL Congestion Charging Fourth Annual Report recorded a 22% reduction in congestion, relative to pre-charging levels, down from 30% in 2003, the year Congestion Charging was introduced.
The provisional estimate for the reduction in congestion within the central London zone for 2006 is 8 per cent. This increase in congestion coincides with a marked increase in streetworks recorded on the road network within the charging zone. Without the introduction of congestion charging, Transport for London studies show central London would have experienced much higher levels of traffic and congestion
