Transport

London needs a good transport infrastructure to further our economic well-being. The London Plan (with the boroughs) seeks to secure diverse, strong and secure communities where public transport and green spaces are within easy reach of homes. We also need to encourage people to walk and cycle more to reach their jobs, shops, services and other amenities.

London's Transport Strategy

Edward Dawson, the Director of CPRE London, recently gave a talk to the CPRE South East Transport Group. This looked at the development of the various transport strategies for London. This highlighted the need for new interchanges and better planning. Major infrastructure projects include:

Crossrail, Thames Link and Docklands Light Railway extensions
Thames River crossings, road and rail to support development
HS2 London via Old Oak Common and Euston, with link to HS1.

CPRE London is currently monitoring several aspects of the strategy including the new London Bus (see photo), contactless Oyster card, high air pollution levels and low uptake of bike hire. Issues that we are addressing include:

Access to services - the need to reduce travel and improve access
Housing density and sustainability - transport essential for housing
Freight movement and distribution - lower impact and greener logistics
Amenity and Green Infrastructure - minimise impact and land loss
Open Spaces and Green Belt - protection and enhancement overall
Low carbon - minimise emissions and adapting to climate changes.

For more background read Edward Dawson's 1-page overview of London's Transport Strategy

The Battle for London's Airports

Those who live near or under the flight path of one of London's airports suffer from noise and pollution. The debate over whether London needs new runways, a new airport, or can suffice with improved rail links.

There are calls for an increase in airport capacity.BAA continues to press the case for a third runway at Heathrow. The government is floating the idea of joint Heathrow-Gatwick hub linked by a high speed line (Heathwick). Simon Jenkins and Lord Foster are backing an airport on the North Kent Coast and Boris Johnson remains committed to a "Boris Island" airport in the Thames estuary. In yet another scheme - Park Royal City - Sir Terry Farrell advocates a new rail hub at Old Oak Common to connect existing airports. Park Royal City will be centred on High Speed 2 and Crossrail in a regeneration of underused industrial land around Old Oak Common NW10.

You can read more about these various proposals in the October eBulletin (PDF) (pages 4-6).

The Mayor's Transport Strategy

CPRE London welcomed a number of ideas in the Mayor's Transport Strategy. These included better public space, greater use of the river Thames, and numerous public transport upgrades. The strategy needs to do more to support London's economic development and cultural well being. The development of more and better inter-changes will help to ease the burden on over crowded termini. It is important to develop the momentum of improvement, such as better and more integrated ticketing. The impact of transport development on London's green spaces needs to be considered carefully to ensure there is nor loss of amenity and biodiversity.

For further information download CPRE London's detailed response (PDF: 20 pages)

This page last updated 27th March 2012.