Agenda item

Sam Longman, TfL and Martijn Cooijmans, Head of Economic Development and Transport Planning L.B.Islington were present and made presentations to Members, copies of which are interleaved.

During consideration of the presentations the following main points were made –

·         The Mayor of London strategy sets out a strategy for London Transport to 2041

·         Consultation has taken place and finished in October and the final strategy is due to be published in early 2018

·         There are 3 key themes – Healthy Streets and Healthy People, A good Public Transport experience and New Homes and New Jobs

·         By 2041 the aim is for 80% of Londoner’s trips to be on foot, by cycle or using Public transport

·         The London Plan consultation opened in November 2017 and closes in March 2018, and the relationship between land use, planning and transport is critical to sustainability and improving air quality The principles of good growth include good access to public transport, high density mixed use developments, people choose to walk and cycle, car free and car lite places, inclusive accessible design, carbon free travel and efficient freight

·         Air Pollution is one of the most significant challenges facing London, affecting the health of all Londoners. There are locations in every borough that exceed legal limits for NO2

·         The health impacts associated with air pollution fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable communities, affecting the poorest and those from ethnic minority groups more acutely

·         The Mayor’s clean action plan includes – emission surcharge (T-charge) in Central London from October 2017, introducing the ultra low emission zone sooner and expanding it, buses, national diesel scrappage scheme and encouraging the uptake of ultra low emission vehicles

·         The T charge was launched on 23 October 2017 with the same boundary and times as the congestion charge and has similar exemptions to the congestion charge. There is a £10 surcharge on top of the congestion charge and the charge will apply to all Euro 4 vehicles (broadly equivalent to vehicles from 2005 and older), and is an important stepping stone towards the ultra low emission zone

·         There has been a 30 per cent fall in the number of non compliant vehicles in the congestion charging zone since the announcement and around 1000 fewer vehicles per day and around 2000 vehicles per day pay charge

·         There are discounts and exemptions in respect of some vehicles but these are very limited and in line with the existing low emission zone

·         The impact of the proposals will be that in 2020 there will be a 21 per cent reduction in road transport NO2xemissions in inner London, and 19 per cent in outer London. London wide a total reduction of 19%

·         In 2021 the combined impact of the proposals would be a 31% reduction in road transport emissions in inner London, 28% in outer London and 28% London wide

·         In 2025, the combined impact of the proposals is forecast to be a 24% reduction in road transport NOxin inner London, 21% in outer London and 21% London wide. All reductions are compared to baseline i.e. Central London ULEZ only

·         The changes in concentrations by 2021 will result generally in a 5/10 % reduction in concentration levels at roadside, but up to 20% in some locations and a 64% reduction in road km exceeding NO2 limit values

·         The impact on population exposure will mean over 100,000 fewer people living in areas exceeding legal NO2 limits London wide in 2021, a 77% reduction London wide, 96% in outer London, and 71% fewer schools in areas exceeding legal limits in 2021

·         Other measures include single decker buses in central London having to meet minimum Euro VI standard in 2019 and be all electric or hydrogen in 2020. Double decker buses in central London will need to be Euro VI hybrids by 2019 and there will be 12 Low Emission Bus Zones implemented tackling the worst pollution hotspots by concentrating cleaner buses on the dirtiest streets

·         Only hybrid or zero emission double deck buses will be procured from 2018 and the Euro V refit programme will be expanded from over 800 to 4000 buses to achieve a Euro VI standard fleet by 2020

·         TfL are using licensing to reduce emissions from the taxi and private hire fleets and to increase the number of vehicles operating with zero emissions. Both fleets will be entirely zero emission capable (ZEC) by 2033

·         Other initiatives include ULEV delivery plan, go ultra low city scheme, local environment networks and neighbourhoods of the future, Lo City, car clubs, zero emission capable taxis, increasing rail capacity and improving quality, walking and cycling

·         Bold action will be required to achieve 100% zero emission road transport and for the whole of the London fleet to be zero emission at tailpipe by 2050, ULEV’s need to represent 100% of new vehicle sales by 2040 at the latest

·         A London wide zero emission zone by 2050 would likely be required to drive full conversion and a slower transition of heavier vehicles as zero emission solutions are developed – this may require a significant intervention to achieve full transition

·         Next steps – statutory consultation on the proposal to expand the ULEZ and change the LEZ standards runs until 28 February, and the publication of the final Mayors Transport Strategy and LES will be in 2018 with the Mayoral decision taking place in spring 2018 and then further work will take place on developing what comes after the ULEZ e.g. Zero Emission Zones

·         Challenges include Islington facing a reduction in TfL’s budget and a recent cut in LIP funding, resulting in a loss of £100,000 from the Local Transport Fund and a £191,000 annual reduction. The LIP formula did not favour Islington as it is a small borough, however the Council were having discussions with TfL to review their decision

·         Islington’s core strategy is to reduce health inequalities, encourage active travel and have car free developments. This is currently under review

·         The Streetbook supplementary planning document is shaping the public realm to promote active travel

·         Islington’s transport strategy is to reduce negative transport related health impacts, particularly noise and NOx and particulate emissions, reduce the number of road casualties, reduce the proportion of trips by car, and encourage active travel by creating a walking and cycling friendly environment. The transport strategy is currently under review

·         The Council’s response to the Mayors Transport Strategy (MTS) is to support the objective to have a zero carbon London by 2050, to request an interim target of diesel free London by 2025, request faster transition to cleaner taxis, and to request electrification of all rail lines in London

·         In addition, the Council support the MTS objective to have a Vision Zero to eliminate road traffic casualties by 2041, to request a London wide 20mph speed limit as standard, and highlight the need for resources to achieve this

·         The Council also support the reduction of travel volumes by supporting the Healthy Streets approach and considering a cellular system

·         In terms of delivery to date the Council have delivered air quality improvements – emissions based parking charges for residents, diesel surcharge for residents, emission based pay and display parking charges and electric charging points. In addition, in terms of road traffic casualties there is a 20mph speed limit on borough roads, cycle training and driver training for fleet and HGV

·         There has been a reduction in traffic growth, despite population growth, due to the car free policy, car clubs and school travel plans

·         Delivery to date also includes the Archway Gyratory removal, the cycle infrastructure delivery and major scheme development at Old Street (construction starting in 2018), Highbury Corner where a decision is pending and Kings Cross second public consultation 2018

·         Initiatives underway or shortly starting include – Air Quality – ZEN and LEN Archway and City Fringe, sensitive streets, Electric vehicle charging points. Also safer streets – gyratory removals, cycle infrastructure, cycle training, road safety education programme/school travel plans, traffic management/road safety programmes (LIP) and Healthy Streets – Old Street/Clerkenwell Healthy Streets, quietway between Farringdon and Finsbury Park, 12 play streets and cycle parking and secure bike hangers

·         Next steps include a new transport strategy for Islington following the final Mayors Transport Strategy, which will include zero carbon/air quality, vision zero accident reduction, healthy streets approach – active travel, and further reductions in traffic volumes. In addition, in relation to air quality there will be an electric vehicles charging network roll out, car clubs electrification and increased take up, and reduction of emissions from Islington Council’s vehicle fleet

·         Major schemes include Clerkenwell Green, Old Street Roundabout, Highbury Corner, Kings Cross gyratory, Finsbury Park/Nags Head/Holloway Road and cycle network including Old Street/Clerkenwell Road

·         It was stated that exercise even in polluted areas is beneficial, and that being in a car results in high pollution rates for users especially in traffic congestion

·         Reference was made to the fact that there needed to be increased parking enforcement around schools to restrict pollution and the use of cars in ‘school runs’

·         In response to a statement it was noted that the Council had no legal powers to take action against motorists who have idling engines and it really needed Government legislation to change to enforce action on this

·         It was stated that a new electric taxi has been designed

RESOLVED:

That the presentations be noted and the Committee be informed of what is taking place in terms of enforcement of parking/dropping off outside schools in Islington

The Chair thanked Sam Longman and Martijn Cooijmans for their presentations