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New vision for London’s 21st century roads and streets

London’s Mayor’s Roads Task Force (RTF) has set out a bold new vision for the future of the city’s roads and streets to ensure the capital can cope with major population growth, support jobs and thousands of new homes, while remaining one of the most attractive, vibrant, accessible and competitive world cities. A range of proposals includes: roofing over arterial roads to create new surface space; changing the way goods and services are delivered, such as shifting HGVs and freight out of peak hours; embraci
July 11, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
London’s Mayor’s Roads Task Force (RTF) has set out a bold new vision for the future of the city’s roads and streets to ensure the capital can cope with major population growth, support jobs and thousands of new homes, while remaining one of the most attractive, vibrant, accessible and competitive world cities.

A range of proposals includes: roofing over arterial roads to create new surface space; changing the way goods and services are delivered, such as shifting HGVs and freight out of peak hours; embracing ‘next generation’ travel demand, to encourage a greater shift to more sustainable modes such as walking, cycling and powered two wheelers; efficient road links and tackling junction pinch points; even greater use of intelligent systems and technology; enhanced road links and connectivity including new river crossings; smarter charging for the use of road space; and wide area 20 mph zones.

The RTF also called for studies to investigate the potential for tolled road tunnels to replace surface capacity that could be used to improve the public realm and public transport and to encourage more walking and cycling journeys, while also enabling a more efficient and reliable strategic road network.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “I welcome the Roads Task Force report and the bold approach it proposes for London’s 21st century roads and streets.  It is in tune with my 2020 Vision, our plans on cycling and for investment in London’s roads and streets.”

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