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A plan to improve transport in London is making progress but still has some way to go, says London Councils.
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Responding to the Mayor's Transport Strategy, the cross-party organisation welcomed the measures being taken to promote cycling and walking but says there is still more to do.
It has called for the need for local transport services to be balanced with the needs of long distance commuter services. In outer London, more improvements to public transport and cycling schemes are needed to give people a viable alternative to using cars.
London Councils believes the transport network should be made easier to use for everyone. For example better disabled access to stations and allowing the capital's 16,000 apprentices, who currently pay full adult fares, to qualify for student Oyster cards which would entitle them to concessionary travel.
London Councils is also calling on the mayor to:
• link the transport strategy more closely with the mayor's economic development strategy and the London Plan.
• change the way bus routes are reviewed to an area basis rather than one route at a time.
• improve orbital transport links
• include shorter-term carbon reduction targets in the strategy
• set out a timetable for reviewing the proposed route of the Chelsea to Hackney railway line (Crossrail 2)
The chairman of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, Councillor Mike Fisher said: "We are pleased to see that many of the issues we raised have been addressed including encouraging people to walk and cycle and plans to reduce carbon emissions.
"However, the need for local transport services should be balanced with the needs of longer distance commuter services and more consideration needs to be given to how affordable public transport is in London.
"We are concerned that the strategy sets out extra responsibilities for boroughs but does not allocate any money to pay for them."
Contact Information
020 7934 9970
pressoffice@londoncouncils.gov.uk
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