The London Assembly today warned that there were still too many dangerous HGVs on London’s roads.
Assembly Members unanimously agreed a motion urging the Mayor to work with Government and commercial partners to reduce the number of cyclist collisions with lorries.
Darren Johnson AM, who proposed the motion said:
“Far too many people have died under the wheels of an HGV in London. We know the safety measures which would make cyclists safer and there is a growing cross-party determination that we need to end the unnecessary deaths and injuries on our roads.
The Dutch-style cycle paths now being built will physically separate cyclists from lorries on some roads, but we also need to look at separating the majority of cyclists from lorries on the rest of London’s main roads by having them travel at different times of day.
Londoners should be able to cycle to work, or take the kids to school, without fearing for their lives.”
Andrew Boff AM, who seconded the motion said:
“7 out of the 8 cycling deaths this year have been caused by collisions with an HGV. This is a shocking statistic and a clear indication that action is needed. I believe that the solutions proposed by this motion will do much to make our city safer for cyclists and ensure that London’s roads are suitable for all users.”
The full text of the Motion is:
This Assembly notes the tragic deaths of eight people cycling in London so far this year, seven of whom were killed in collisions with Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).
Despite positive initiatives led by the Mayor, TfL and the MPS, this Assembly believes there are still too many dangerous HGVs on London’s roads.
We therefore call on the Mayor of London to work with the Government and commercial partners to implement the following policies:
- a rush-hour lorry ban, subject to the completion of a full impact assessment;
- the construction industry to adopt Construction Logistics and Cyclist Safety (CLOCS) standards across the board, including direct vision lorry cabs, including a commitment from the Mayor to make direct vision lorry cabs compulsory on all GLA Group contracts before the end of his term of office;
- confidential reporting of bad practice to be rolled out to all HGV drivers, irrespective of whether their employer wants to take part;
- comprehensive enforcement so that rogue operators do not permit unlicensed, untrained lorry drivers, or unsafe vehicles, to operate on our roads, with regular reporting from the London Freight Enforcement Partnership against an aim to reduce commercial vehicle casualties.
Notes to editors
Notes to editors:
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- The full webcast will be available shortly.
- Darren Johnson AM who proposed the motion is available for interviews. Please see contact details below.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 020 7983 4228. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.