Improving air quality in London

Meeting:

MQT on 2010-07-14

Session date:

July 14, 2010

Reference:

2010/2335

Question By:

Mike Tuffrey

Organisation:

Liberal Democrats

Asked Of:

The Mayor

Question

We are told "TfL is directly investing £21.2m this year in both new and proven ways of improving road safety in the Capital in order to make London's roads even safer." While this is laudable, what return on investment metric(s) does/do TfL use when prioritising such spending relative to, say, a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of poor air quality (e.g. £ spent per life cut short or £ spent per year of life lost (YLL) per statistical victim or total YLL) and what were the results using the metrics in each of the last three years?

Answer

Answer for Improving air quality in London

Answered By:

The Mayor

Date:

Monday, 19th July 2010

TfL's Business Case development uses cost benefit analysis, supported by qualitative evidence, to evaluate a range of potential outcomes including value of life and health issues. Assessment processes seek the best value solutions to specific challenges. Spending is prioritised based on Mayoral priorities, national targets in respect of road safety and international limits in respect of air quality.

TfL's recommended approach to investment does not require making hard choices between objectives such as safety and air quality, rather TfL seeks to develop strategies and proposals with multiple beneficial outcomes including mode shift to walking and cycling, accident reduction, reduced emissions and reduced noise. Outcomes are often achieved through implementing a package of measures, for example both infrastructure and promotional campaigns, the combination of which enhances their effectiveness.

If you are interested in the case for investment in a specific scheme please let TfL know. Given the volume of schemes TfL is investing in, both directly and through providing funding to Boroughs through the LIPs process, it would not be possible in this forum to set out the case for investment in every single scheme.