Cleaning up London’s toxic air
Closed
672 Londoners have responded | 25/10/2021 - 19/07/2023
Discussions
Pedestrianisation
Paris' most famous boulevard, the Champs-Elysees, will soon be closed to motor traffic on the first Sunday of every month. Nine other routes will also be pedestrianised every Sunday and public holiday, adding to 13 that already restrict traffic as part of the ‘Paris Respire’ anti-pollution programme.
Would you welcome pedestrianisation or car-free days in central London? If not, why not? What are the main benefits, or otherwise, from your perspective?
The discussion ran from 26 April 2016 - 26 July 2016
Closed
Community guidelines
Anything you publish will appear almost right away. We want anyone to feel welcome to get involved in a constructive way. Our community guidelines will help us all do this.
Read our guidelines
Want to join our next discussion?
New here? Join Talk London, City Hall's online community where you can have your say on London's biggest issues.
Join Talk LondonAlready have an account?
Log into your accountJamieo
Community Member 9 years agoBuses are the biggest polluter, hot, noisy and terrible fumes.
Show full commentIf you can just make the buses and taxis run Hydro or Electric that would be much better already and I wouldn't need to get rid of the automobiles.
Just divert the buses and...
Buses are the biggest polluter, hot, noisy and terrible fumes.
If you can just make the buses and taxis run Hydro or Electric that would be much better already and I wouldn't need to get rid of the automobiles.
Just divert the buses and taxis please..
I am for pedestrian zones or an all electric city.
Pollution whilst shopping/walking is my main concern.
Is there any other reason to make pedestrian zone?
Its a pollution issue right?
Let London be first, Great vision, Great Britain.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 9 years agoI agree that the buses in London are noisy and Polluting, I am sure by more clever design and purchasing they could be much better we have been let down badly by the people that specify and buy them, not sure if this is the bus companies or...
Show full commentI agree that the buses in London are noisy and Polluting, I am sure by more clever design and purchasing they could be much better we have been let down badly by the people that specify and buy them, not sure if this is the bus companies or TfL. I am sure TfL have the power to regulate the specifications of the buses. I know the old London Transport used to design really good buses but I supose that skill has been lost.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 9 years agoAnd make them more comfortable with less Torque (makes travelling in a bus very uncomfortable).
livehere
Community Member 9 years agoRead all about it. GLA considerations on pedestrianisation of Oxford Street. Note that there are no representatives invited from the residents' associations of the areas that will be affected.
Greater London Assembly TRANSPORT COMMITTEE...
Show full commentRead all about it. GLA considerations on pedestrianisation of Oxford Street. Note that there are no representatives invited from the residents' associations of the areas that will be affected.
Greater London Assembly TRANSPORT COMMITTEE June 15, 2016
Agenda Item 9: PEDESTRIANISATION OF OXFORD STREET
The Committee is recommended to:
(a) Agree the terms of reference for a review of the proposed pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, as set out at paragraph 4.1 of the report;
(b) Note the report, put questions on Oxford Street pedestrianisation to the invited guests and note the discussion;
(c) Delegate authority to the Chair, in consultation with party Group Lead Members, to agree a response to a forthcoming Transport for London consultation on Oxford Street pedestrianisation;
(d) Agree to arrange a site visit to Oxford Street in connection with the Committee’s review.
Additional documents:
Transport Committee – 15 June 2016
Transcript of Agenda Item 9 - Pedestrianisation of Oxford Street
https://www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s58295/Minutes%20-%20Appe…
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 9 years agoI would very much welcome pedestrianisation of all town centres, particularly Tooting and Wimbledon. Although I'm not sure how the traffic would be re-directed. Car-free days would be excellent also. From my perspective, it both would bring...
Show full commentI would very much welcome pedestrianisation of all town centres, particularly Tooting and Wimbledon. Although I'm not sure how the traffic would be re-directed. Car-free days would be excellent also. From my perspective, it both would bring only benefits - clean air and quieter roads.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 9 years agoWhy don't we try a one Sunday a month closure of main roads (at least) not only in the West End but also in other highly polluted streets such as Putney High Street, and other similar centres. Let's do it and see what happens.
Rs3
Community Member 9 years ago" Let's do it and see what happens."
There are two parts to the debate. One part is to express the desire or otherwise for pedestrianisation, the other is to demonstrate how it would benefit London.
That implies that one ought to be...
Show full comment" Let's do it and see what happens."
There are two parts to the debate. One part is to express the desire or otherwise for pedestrianisation, the other is to demonstrate how it would benefit London.
That implies that one ought to be considering not only the desire, but the practicalities as well.
So far the practicalities suggested in the thread seem to centre on:
Commercial considerations;
how do you solve the logistics problems of resupplying shops?
how do you solve the services problem, deliveries and removals etc to residents?
what are the commercial benefits, or is this just another shopping mall?
Allied transport problems.
how do you get people to a pedestrianised zone. and what provisions are needed if, for feeder routes?
how do residents inside the area get out if they have to use their own personal vehicles?
how will disabled people be able to access and enjoy the area?
what other modes of transport will be permitted, including pedal powered, electric (segway, hoverboard) and the eccentric (roller skates).
how will you reroute traffic around the area, including route marking?
Personal benefits:
how many people will be inconvenienced, how many will be residents?
What are the personal benefits, with evidence?
Time scale:
Is this a political vanity / popularity project to be rushed through within the residency of one particular political figure or is thererealistic financial and political commitment?
Without considering these topics, all we are getting is a wish for magic wands and money trees.
Show less of commentlivehere
Community Member 9 years agoHow do you do it without rerouting the polluting traffic into the residential side streets?
Fitness4London
Community Member 9 years agoMore pedestrian-only streets would be fantastic. Start with Oxford Street. At the very least ban black cabs from Oxford Street. We need to get our air-pollution levels under control, and reduce road traffic accidents too. More pedestrian...
Show full commentMore pedestrian-only streets would be fantastic. Start with Oxford Street. At the very least ban black cabs from Oxford Street. We need to get our air-pollution levels under control, and reduce road traffic accidents too. More pedestrian-only streets would help achieve both these objectives.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 9 years agoThere is now an obvious desire amongst Londoners to squeeze the car out of our city. I can remember a time, not that long ago when the street I lived on only had one or two cars parked on it (I grew on crystal palace road, east dulwich)...
Show full commentThere is now an obvious desire amongst Londoners to squeeze the car out of our city. I can remember a time, not that long ago when the street I lived on only had one or two cars parked on it (I grew on crystal palace road, east dulwich). The car traffic along it was minimal. This would have been the early 60s and I would have been 11 or 12. By the 70s every space on the kirb was full of parked cars, and the roads have become no go areas, unwelcoming and polluted by motor vehicles. Legislation in the 80s increased the maximum size of trucks from about 30 tons to 44 tons. We were told there would be fewer trucks because of this increase and this of course was a lie. The number of HGVs on London roads has escalated. They not only pollute from the amount of diesel they burn (about 1 litre of diesel for every mile travelled) but they pollute in other ways too, noise, and damage to buildings due to the vibration they cause as the drive by. In addition the sheer size of these trucks is intimidating for other street users especially cyclists and pedestrians(the very traffic we should be encouraging). We have given our beautiful, interesting city over to the motor car and the truck, and we have lost something. We have lost peace and gained road rage. We have lost clean air and gained NOX and cancer causing particulates. We have lost the joy of feeling we are part of our streets and gained a permanent state of fear. All I read on these Talk London blogs from defenders of the status quo is "how will we get our deliveries". Well all I can say is I remember at time when it was possible and it hasnt always like this. It is time we took our city back from the motor vehicle. Thank god we got rid of the buffoon. Mayor of London it is time for action, you could do a massive thing for London, I hope you are up to it, London needs to be a leader in this and not a follower. YES IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE CAR FREE DAYS ON LONDON ROADS, BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH, THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE NEEDS TO BE SQUEEZED OUT OF OUR CITIES FAST. WE WANT OUR CITY BACK.
Show less of commentRs3
Community Member 9 years agoAt least half, and experience suggests a lot more than half, has no intention of 'squeezing the car out of the city'.
The reason that the roads are filled with cars is quite simply because people want cars, for many reasons. Their reasons...
Show full commentAt least half, and experience suggests a lot more than half, has no intention of 'squeezing the car out of the city'.
The reason that the roads are filled with cars is quite simply because people want cars, for many reasons. Their reasons for wanting cars are just as valid as your reasons for not wanting cars.
You complain about people who disagree with you asking for rational explanations for your desires and all you can come up with is " I'll wave my magic wand" and take us back 50 years into the past, because as a child you remembered it as a magical time.
Others of us remember it as a time of great social dissatisfaction, when talent left the country in 'the Brain Drain', when the country went bankrupt , when the minimum rate of tax was 40% and when the Government tried to dictate how and where you were allowed to spend your money with currency controls etc. The reason that the roads were so empty was not a chosen path of righteousness but simply that the majority of people could not afford a car and if they could, only one car per family. Perhaps you feel that everyone else should be so impoverished just to satisfy your dreams?
Show less of commentSomeone
Community Member 9 years agoYes, many people do want cars, for understandable reasons. The point you conveniently overlook is that when they drive them, particularly in the city, they do a lot of harm. It would be very nice if everyone could afford a car and if they...
Show full commentYes, many people do want cars, for understandable reasons. The point you conveniently overlook is that when they drive them, particularly in the city, they do a lot of harm. It would be very nice if everyone could afford a car and if they didn't cause congestion, poor air quality, traffic danger, noise and climate change. But that's not the case.
Show less of commentnrbeddington
Community Member 9 years agoGreat that Paris is leading the way here, but London should catch up too. Oford St in particular, as the premier shopping street, should have more regular car-free days initially, and also move towards pedestrianisation with a light tram...
Show full commentGreat that Paris is leading the way here, but London should catch up too. Oford St in particular, as the premier shopping street, should have more regular car-free days initially, and also move towards pedestrianisation with a light tram system to cater for ground-level journeys. I think the tram has already been suggested by the Mayor. There are several other central London streets and squares that would benefit from pedestrianisation too, particularly in Soho, Mayfair, Holborn and Westminster. Boroughs should also be investigating the potential for car-free days in local high streets, perhaps at weekends. My local high street in Crouch End has quite poor air quality standards, and it would be great if shoppers didn't have to navigate high traffic levels and noise and pollution when shopping locally.
The main benefits of pedestrianisation and car-free days are less pollution and noise and reduced danger for pedestrians and cyclists, and the increased custom for shops, cafes pubs that these will bring
Show less of commentlivehere
Community Member 9 years agoBut it just dumps the noise and air pollution on the residential side streets. There should not be any traffic-free days. Instead a new integrated transport and traffic plan needs to be devised, and mandatory zero-emissions at exhaust for...
Show full commentBut it just dumps the noise and air pollution on the residential side streets. There should not be any traffic-free days. Instead a new integrated transport and traffic plan needs to be devised, and mandatory zero-emissions at exhaust for high pollution streets should be brought forward. Buses should all be electric or lpg, and taxis also, with financial support packages for black taxis to make the switch.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 9 years agoExcellent idea! I like a London that celebrates streets for people. It's been clear to me for a while that large parts of central London could be made pedestrian and cycle friendly. Walking in Parliament square is not enjoyable despite the...
Show full commentExcellent idea! I like a London that celebrates streets for people. It's been clear to me for a while that large parts of central London could be made pedestrian and cycle friendly. Walking in Parliament square is not enjoyable despite the architecture due to crowded pavements and polluted air. I love to shop but not in Oxford street as it is just such an unpleasant environment. Walking and cycling are important forms of transport and their place should be recognised in central London. I think this is really important for making London more open to families and older people! I think car free days will show the popularity of this kind of thing but it should be accompanied by proper areas free of cars permanently. There is the issue of how to accommodate buses and deliveries which needs to be considered too. But I thinks good balance can be found with creative thinking!
Show less of commentPGSMurray
Community Member 9 years agoI support this proposal, but it should not just be about pedestrianisation, it should be about cycling as well. It is about changing attitudes to streets which are the capital's most important public spaces. Society has accepted over the...
Show full commentI support this proposal, but it should not just be about pedestrianisation, it should be about cycling as well. It is about changing attitudes to streets which are the capital's most important public spaces. Society has accepted over the last century that large social areas of our cities should be turned over to deadly, divisive and polluting steel boxes. Around the world we are seeing a slow shift towards a more civilised city and initiatives like Cyclovias, Respire and Summer Streets in New York have led the way. The Mayor must not, though, emulate the Summer Streets of Regent Street where the road is blocked by events - Journee Sans Voiture is about returning the streets to the people. Anne Hidalgo has already said that she wants to do this more frequently. Let's jump ahead of Paris and go for CAR FREE LONDON every weekend. The poll of visitors to the Streets Ahead exhibition showed that a majority of Londoners would welcome this initiative.
Show less of commentnrbeddington
Community Member 9 years agoYes, lets incorporate cycling into Car-free London days - they should be about all forms of transport except driving in steel boes. When you talk about having Car Free London every weekend, where would you start - don't think it's practical...
Show full commentYes, lets incorporate cycling into Car-free London days - they should be about all forms of transport except driving in steel boes. When you talk about having Car Free London every weekend, where would you start - don't think it's practical to have the whole of central London closed off every weekend.
Show less of commentPGSMurray
Community Member 9 years agoIf you follow Paris's 'Respire' programme you can select areas that would not unduly affect through traffic. Soho, Fitzrovia, Marylebone High Street, and the City of London would be great places to try this out for a start.
Show full commentIf you follow Paris's 'Respire' programme you can select areas that would not unduly affect through traffic. Soho, Fitzrovia, Marylebone High Street, and the City of London would be great places to try this out for a start.
Show less of commenttalk_london_us…
Community Member 9 years agoOne contributor says: "One problem I have seen with cyclists is that they ... will knock pedestrians down on pavements from behind and then harangue them for being in their way." Do we have any examples? I have never seen this happen. There...
Show full commentOne contributor says: "One problem I have seen with cyclists is that they ... will knock pedestrians down on pavements from behind and then harangue them for being in their way." Do we have any examples? I have never seen this happen. There are bad cyclists, bad pedestrians and bad car drivers. However, I pose two questions. 1. which are you most likely to see:a) a bicycle parked in a car parking space or b) a car parked in a cycle lane? 2. which are you most likely to see: a) a cyclist riding on the pavement or b) a pedestrian ambling down a cycle lane? Mostly a - correct, Mostly b - deluded.
Show less of commenttalk_london_us…
Community Member 9 years agoThere is a lot of negativity on this thread towards the idea of cyclists being allowed on car/transport days. The strongest reason for allowing cycling on car free days is to encourage people who cycle on those days to do so more often on...
Show full commentThere is a lot of negativity on this thread towards the idea of cyclists being allowed on car/transport days. The strongest reason for allowing cycling on car free days is to encourage people who cycle on those days to do so more often on normal days as part of an organic transfer from using cars to cycles. There is little reason for regular use of a car in central London but people do need to get around. If all car drivers transferred to public transport the system would not cope so the more cyclists the better.
Show less of commentPaul L
Community Member 9 years agoPerhaps a mixture with some streets pedestrians only and others allowing cycling without motor vehicles. Both are non-polluting and healthy.
Show full commentPerhaps a mixture with some streets pedestrians only and others allowing cycling without motor vehicles. Both are non-polluting and healthy.
Show less of commentTomE3
Community Member 9 years agoGreat points and I like the idea. I think that many will welcome cyclists above cars on the roads around them, and it will give many who might otherwise be wary of cycling in London to enjoy this city by bike.
To me, it seems crazy that...
Show full commentGreat points and I like the idea. I think that many will welcome cyclists above cars on the roads around them, and it will give many who might otherwise be wary of cycling in London to enjoy this city by bike.
To me, it seems crazy that so many highly polluting vehicles are allowed in the centre of such a densely populated city.
Show less of commentmikemathieson
Community Member 9 years agoTotally agree with you. Let's kill two birds with one stone and do away with terrible Sunday drivers too!
Show full commentTotally agree with you. Let's kill two birds with one stone and do away with terrible Sunday drivers too!
Show less of commentItsguy
Community Member 9 years ago...and of course I mean Victoria Embankment, but that discussion probably belongs in another section. Nonetheless, potential unintended consequences are important to consider.
Show full comment...and of course I mean Victoria Embankment, but that discussion probably belongs in another section. Nonetheless, potential unintended consequences are important to consider.
Show less of commentAnn Elise
Community Member 9 years agoI'm really fed up with cyclists who expect the benefits of being pedestrians when it suits them,(riding/zooming along on pavements, and paths in parks). And when it suits them they are 'traffic' (demanding pedestrians to make way for them...
Show full commentI'm really fed up with cyclists who expect the benefits of being pedestrians when it suits them,(riding/zooming along on pavements, and paths in parks). And when it suits them they are 'traffic' (demanding pedestrians to make way for them, ignoring traffic lights, and dangerously/arrogantly weaving in and out between cars).
Show less of commentPavements are for people on feet - not on wheels - with the exception of wheelchairs. They should be cycle-free. Roads are for careful drivers and equally careful cyclists. End of.
Someone
Community Member 9 years ago'End of' is such a silly thing to say, Ann. When drivers learn to be careful there will be no reason for people to cycle on the pavements. Until then, either get used to it or call for protected cycle tracks.
Do you really want small...
Show full comment'End of' is such a silly thing to say, Ann. When drivers learn to be careful there will be no reason for people to cycle on the pavements. Until then, either get used to it or call for protected cycle tracks.
Do you really want small children to cycle on the road with the motor traffic?
Show less of commentlivehere
Community Member 9 years agoAs a pedestrian I find it hard to deal with motorised traffic and bikes on the same section of road - they move at different speeds and behave differently. It is confusing, especially at dusk or after dark. There should definitely be...
Show full commentAs a pedestrian I find it hard to deal with motorised traffic and bikes on the same section of road - they move at different speeds and behave differently. It is confusing, especially at dusk or after dark. There should definitely be separate cycle lanes. One problem I have seen with cyclists is that they not only cycle on pavements,even on quiet side roads, but will knock pedestrians down on pavements from behind and then harangue them for being in their way.
Show less of commentItsguy
Community Member 9 years agoThe idea of pedestrianisation of Oxford Street sounds appealing in theory, but in practice may just lead to most of the West End becoming a traffic jam. The new cycle super-highway on Chelsea Embankment seemed like a nice idea, but now...
Show full commentThe idea of pedestrianisation of Oxford Street sounds appealing in theory, but in practice may just lead to most of the West End becoming a traffic jam. The new cycle super-highway on Chelsea Embankment seemed like a nice idea, but now there is a terrible traffic jam starting in Farringdon and running all the way to Waterloo every day as a result of it, while use of the cycle highway itself appears light. Unintended consequences need careful consideration. In the case of Oxford St, trams (or cable cars?!) might still be necessary, it's a long street and without them the tube will become overloaded.
Show less of commentItsguy
Community Member 9 years agoIn fact, that traffic jam runs all the way to Victoria!
livehere
Community Member 9 years agoYesterday it cost me over £60 to get to a hospital appointment by taxi and back. Usually it is about half that. The reason is bike lanes and road works.
Anonymous - account deleted
Community Member 9 years agoI read some great comments on here but seriously, pedestrianising the whole of zone 1? As a london cabbie, a lot of these suggestions are being thrown about like it doesn't affect anyone in a negative way, this is my job, this is how i make...
Show full commentI read some great comments on here but seriously, pedestrianising the whole of zone 1? As a london cabbie, a lot of these suggestions are being thrown about like it doesn't affect anyone in a negative way, this is my job, this is how i make my living, putting food on the table. Why don't we talk about switching off the air conditioning in every office one day a week, why don't we make all office workers that know all the answers about traffic movement try working, while i build a cycle lane between your chair and your desk so you can't reach your computer. Do you honestly believe that I want to be breathing all this crap in? No of course i don't, but being forced to drive a diesel vehicle is my only option at the moment, and recent changes to road layouts means traffic is being funneled into a smaller area. A major overhaul of bus routes is required to stop Oxford st being the hub that it is, if you only had 3 or 4 routes servicing it there would be no problem there.
Show less of commentnetbot
Community Member 9 years agoNO. I live in a city that actually has a working economy even though town hall politicians boosting their own popularity continually try to destroy it.
livehere
Community Member 9 years agoPoisoning the air that residents, workers and visitors breathe cannot go on any longer, but pedestrianisation is not necessarily the answer.
mikep
Community Member 9 years agoThere are other Central London areas, besides Oxford Street, which would be great candidates for full pedestrianisation.
The Seven Dials area of Covent Garden, for example. Its pretty cobbled streets and boutique shops and cafes would make...
Show full commentThere are other Central London areas, besides Oxford Street, which would be great candidates for full pedestrianisation.
The Seven Dials area of Covent Garden, for example. Its pretty cobbled streets and boutique shops and cafes would make for a wonderful pedestrianised "cafe culture" area, with al-fresco dining and outdoor events in the warmer months.
The area is already closed to traffic for 1 day each year for the annual "Spotlight" festival, which demonstrates what a great area (and genuine tourist attraction) it could be if re-imagined in this way. https://www.sevendials.co.uk/events/save-the-date-spotlight-13-august-2…
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 9 years agoThat sounds like a brilliant idea! :)
livehere
Community Member 9 years agoNeal Street etc should be pedestrianised as well - where the appalling lack of separate pavement makes it a nightmare to keep children safe from vehicles.
Ilettm
Community Member 9 years agoI've seen it in other countries and would like to see it every week.