Caroline Pidgeon calls to ban HGVs in central London

Liberal Democrat London Mayoral Candidate Caroline Pidgeon has launched a campaign calling for all HGVs and construction vehicles to be banned from central London during peak hours.

Pidgeon has said that the traffic in central London ‘cannot go unchecked’ and suggests that banning these larger vehicles in peak times would be a start to tackling the problem of air pollution in the capital, which is thought to lead to around at least 10,000 early deaths every year.

In addition to improving air quality, Pidgeon says that the ban will help to make roads safer, particularly for cyclists.

She said: “Anyone who cycles at rush hour knows how congested our roads can get. However safely they cycle, during the busiest times cyclists often find themselves fighting for space with HGVs and construction vehicles and feeling scared for their safety. Despite some of TfL’s positive initiatives in recent years more must be done.

“As Mayor I will ban all heavy freight and construction traffic in central London at peak hours to help reduce congestion and improve safety for cyclists. Banning HGVs during rush hours, when all the figures show they are of most danger to cyclists, would make roads far safer for all.”

The Liberal Democrat candidate has also urged for greater use of consolidation centres, as were used during the 2012 Olympics, as well as better utilisation of the River Thames for transporting freight.