Author Archives: Freedom for Drivers Foundation

Making Congestion and Air Pollution Worse

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Hackney - West India Dock Road

The actions of the Mayor of London and such organisations as Extinction Rebellion are creating an environmental nightmare. In other words, they are creating the opposite of what they claim to be tackling.

As I write this Extinction Rebellion are blocking roads in central London and plan to continue doing so for the next two weeks. This group is effectively a terrorist organisation and falls into the UK definition of such – see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definitions_of_terrorism#United_Kingdom

Why do the police do nothing? They claim they need more powers to act against peaceful demonstrations but when the demonstrators block roads and threaten lives (as they are doing by restricting access to St. Thomas Hospital and hampering emergency service vehicles over a wide area) then the police have enough powers already. The Government could also proscribe them as a terrorist organisation. I suggest readers write to their Member of Parliament and urge some Government action.

The actions of Sadiq Khan as Mayor of London in implementing a Transport Strategy that aims to reduce car use is very much the same as that tried in Paris, i.e. reduction in road space and slowing traffic in favour of cycling, walking and public transport. An article in the New York Times indicates just how counter-productive this has been. The Mayor of Paris’s policies have resulted in fewer cars but more congestion and air pollution is still a problem. See the article here for more information: https://tinyurl.com/y6d6mw4z

One example of how London’s Mayor is making the road network worse, slowing traffic and increasing congestion is his plan for a “Cycleway” between Hackney and the Isle of Dogs – see our previous article on it here: https://tinyurl.com/y6fxezmq . Transport for London (TfL) have now published the results of their public consultation on this scheme. They got 1,873 responses to the consultation after sending out 25,417 letters and 350,000 emails. How did they get such a large email contact list? We don’t know but we have submitted an FOI Act request to find out.

From the responses they got 419 people expressing concerns about the congestion the plans would cause and many people specifically complained about the closure of Grove Road to most vehicles during most of the day. They have a least deferred a decision on that part of the scheme and also have yet to indicate how they will overcome the abandonment of the Rotherhithe cycling/pedestrian bridge which was to be part of the plan. There were many detail objections to aspects of the scheme but TfL have made very few changes.

This also looks like another consultation biased by numerous cycling pressure groups. You can see why by reading the consultation report here: https://tinyurl.com/y4txpvwc . Photo above is from the report, as usual a very unrealistic impression of what it might look like in reality.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London

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Keep The USA Moving

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The USA is traditionally where the motor car is king as public transport has been sparse while roads have been built to cope with demand. But it is changing with some cities introducing Vision Zero to improve road safety and policies called “Complete Streets” and “Road Diets”. Vision Zero is well known in the UK as it has been adopted for example in London but with minimal or zero impact (see https://tinyurl.com/y39v6nsy for a previous article on that subject).

Complete Streets are designed to make it easy to cross the street, walk to shops, and bicycle to work. They encourage more walking, cycling and use of public transport. Road Diets involve reducing the number of traffic lanes to provide wider sidewalks (pavements) or the addition of cycle lanes and bus lanes.

Some cities such as New York are also considering introducing congestion charges to cut traffic and reduce congestion.

In other words, US cities are moving in the same direction as cities in Europe and copying London despite the fact that the policies in London have actually increased traffic congestion rather than reduced it and otherwise damaged the transport network. But opposition to such policies is growing. There are particular concerns about the impact on businesses and on access by emergency service vehicles, but there is general opposition to the increased traffic congestion such policies create. This web site covers the issue well and includes a video showing how fire tenders are blocked: https://tinyurl.com/y67gjzjg and emergency service vehicles delayed. It also has an interesting chart showing how the adoption of Vision Zero in Los Angeles appears to have resulted in an increase in pedestrian fatalities.

But opposition is growing. See this web site for a national view (which also includes an interesting note on the Delphi Technique to manipulate public opinion): https://www.keeptheusmoving.com/

In Los Angeles there is a local group opposing such measures who are holding a conference on October 5th – see https://www.keeplamoving.com/ . It’s some years since this writer personally visited Los Angeles but there was horrific traffic congestion then on some freeways and other roads. Reducing road widths to support cycling just seems nonsensical to support a very small proportion of the population when distances people travel to work or to shop is so high. US cities are designed around the use of motor vehicles and the population are not going to change their ways.

I won’t be attending the conference in person but I have submitted a short video which discourages US residents from following the path taken in Europe. Go here to view the video: https://youtu.be/LxEkiycYQ04

Roger Lawson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London

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CAZ for A10

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Hertfordshire County Council and the Borough of Broxbourne are proposing to implement a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) on the A10 north of the M25. This is key part of the road network and acts as a feeder route to the M25. The need for this is based on nitrogen dioxide (NOX) levels exceeding legal limits and will mean charging of some vehicles.

That’s despite the fact that there is no clear evidence that NOX is damaging to health. See our document Air-Quality-and-Vehicles-the-Truth for explanation which has recently been revised to include the latest information.

More details of the proposals and a public consultation will follow in due course with implementation by 2022. Readers should make sure they oppose this latest proposal to damage the road network and make life more difficult for road users.

Roger Lawson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London

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Press Release: Frivolous and Ideological Road Closures – The Latest Weapon in The War Against Drivers

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Road Closed Sign

In a modern 24/7 society denying drivers the use of roads for spurious reasons is unacceptable.

We have become increasingly concerned about the trend in unnecessary day-long road closures for frivolous reasons such as Play Streets(1), Car Free Days(2) and 100-mile cycling event routes(3). Whilst these events tend to take place on a Sunday, this is a normal working day for many due to the likes of Sunday Trading laws, workers providing essential services and workers on-call. There is often little or no meaningful consultation. No group or individuals should be given the right to dictate how, when, where and if anyone else can travel. In addition, drivers now face illegal road blockages by ideologically and politically motivated protest groups who potentially fit the UK definition of terrorism (4).

We have a long tradition in the UK of brief, localised road closures in towns and cities for events such as Carnivals or Remembrance, but extensive, day-long road closures are now being used to attack vehicle use. The now postponed closure of the arterial A38 (M) Aston Expressway in Birmingham for Car Free Day on 22nd September is described as “hugely symbolic and ambitious” by anti-car zealots within Birmingham City Council (5). We need to remember what the roads are actually for and why it is vital that they aren’t unnecessarily obstructed. Roads are not a replacement for parks, gardens or the ballot box.”

For Londoners there are extensive road closures in central London (on roads controlled by TfL) and on some borough roads on the 22nd September – see https://tinyurl.com/yyfrvffy for details. This is a “car free” day as they describe it but buses will still allowed to run on some of the roads. We have received a number of complaints about these closures which create major difficulties for residents and those providing essential services.

Notes for Editors

(1) Close roads so children can play, cyclist Jason Kenny says:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49675073

(2) World Car Free Day 2019:
https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-car-free-day-2019/

(3) Mare and new-born foal die because vet stopped by bike ride closures:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mare-newborn-foal-die-because-15637103

(4) Terrorism is the use or threat of action, both in and outside of the UK, designed to influence any international government organisation or to intimidate the public. It must also be for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-act-2006

(5) Birmingham City Council Statement regarding Car Free Day:
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/news/article/473/statement_regarding_car_free_day

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Mayor Rakes in Money from the ULEZ

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The Evening Standard have published some data from TfL on the impact of the ULEZ on vehicles entering central London. The number of “non-compliant” vehicles, i.e. those that do not meet the emissions standards and therefore have to pay, has fallen by 35% since the scheme was launched in April.

Clearly many people are avoiding paying by either driving around the central zone, using public transport, not travelling at all or changing their vehicle. As regards the latter there has been a 9.7% increase in compliant vehicles which represents those who upgraded their vehicle. Many regular business users who work in central London, e.g. van drivers, will have found it is more economic to change their vehicle.

About 75% of vehicles in the central zone are now compliant. What impact has this change had on the air pollution? The report does not say. We suggest it will be very small as pollution comes from many sources, not just vehicles, some blows in from elsewhere and the worst vehicles are buses, HGVs and taxis where change is slow. But it is clearly a big money spinner for the Mayor. In July it was generating about £180,000 every day in taxation to help fill the Mayor’s budget problems – that’s equivalent to £66 million per year.

We have consistently argued that the ULEZ scheme is motivated by the desire to raise more tax, and was sold on false claims about major health impacts from air pollution. Air pollution in London has been falling rapidly, the population has been living longer and air pollution is only a minor problem on a very few roads. See this page for the truth of the matter and a full analysis: https://www.abd.org.uk/air-quality-vehicles-truth/

There was an interesting report in the Financial Times on the 7th September where they used reporters in several major cities to travel around carrying a monitor device and measure air pollution levels. This is what Leslie Hook had to say about London: “When I first moved to London in 2018, I was surprised that friends complained about air pollution. I could see blue skies from my window and admire the clear views over Southwark Bridge as I commuted home” (he previously worked in Beijing). But he complains about the dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide reported by his measuring device even though there is no scientific consensus that NO2 has any medical danger. Most of his exposure to air pollution was during his commute to work but he says “the biggest surprise was when I hopped on the underground: the air on the tube was terrible”. The device indicated worse air pollution levels there than anywhere else, and particulate levels were very high.

When is the Mayor going to force London Underground to fix this problem? You can guess why he does not because if he taxed the tube he would be paying as the owner. That tells you why he is taxing vehicle owners alone.

Roger Lawson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London

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Dartford Crossing Charges to be Permanent

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Charges have been maintained on the Dartford Crossing despite a previous Government promise to drop them once the bridge had been paid for, which is now long past. They were increased when free-flow charging was introduced but the Charging Order was due to expire in 2020. They are now proposing to make it permanent. See https://tinyurl.com/y4meo6q5 .

Anyone who uses the Dartford crossing should put in an objection.

It is completely unreasonable for the Government to break a promise on this matter, particularly as tolls on other river crossings such as that at the Severn Bridge have been removed. There is simply no justification for the charges, or their level, at the Dartford Crossing and it’s purely a way for the Government to extract money from road users

Roger Lawson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London

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E-bikes and Scooters Have Become a Major Casualty Problem in Holland

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The use of electric powered cycles and e-scooters has taken off in a big way in Holland. But the results in terms of road casualties have got substantially worse.

In 2017, for the first time ever, more cyclists were involved in fatal accidents than motorists in the Netherlands. The number of cyclists suffering fatal injuries was at its highest for ten years and more than a quarter of the victims met their end on an e-bike. More men than women cyclists died and two-thirds of them were over 65.

In addition 25 people using scooters died. The article that disclosed this news (see https://tinyurl.com/y5kx2e5n ) suggested that the reason the elderly were such high a proportion of victims was because they have problems in keeping their balance on e-bikes. But it also probably relates to their higher risk of medical problems, and poor recovery times, after simple falls off fast moving bikes. It’s worth pointing out that many of these accidents will not have involved motor vehicles in any way.

Comment: It is clear that the encouragement of more cycling on congested streets as we have seen in London under the Mayor’s Transport Strategy is likely to have negative consequences. Meanwhile the suggestion of the use of e-scooters on London’s streets, where it is currently illegal but most people don’t know it, should surely be discouraged.

Roger Lawson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London

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20 MPH Speed Limits in London on Major Roads

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20 MPH SignTransport for London (TfL) are pushing ahead with their proposals for “Safer Speeds” in central London – which means 20 MPH speed limits enforced by cameras on many major roads in London. They have published the results of their fake public consultation on this subject which we have previously criticised as a consultation “in name only” including a refusal by TfL to provide key information on the proposals such as any cost/benefit analysis.

The public consultation used leading questions and was a complete distortion of how consultations should be performed – see https://tinyurl.com/y3gqh5hh for more information on how TfL ignores public opinion and does fake consultations.

You can read a report from TfL on the Safer Speeds consultation here: https://tinyurl.com/y3gqh5hh . On this very important topic to all road users, of which there are millions in London, they received less than 2,000 responses. Thirty nine percent of the responses came from cyclists which just shows how that pressure group dominates such consultations and are unrepresentative of the general public.

TfL propose to implement the 20 MPH limit on key roads in central London by 2020, and then in phase 2 they will extend lower speed limits to the inner ring road, and high-risk roads and town centre roads in the rest of London by 2024. In other words they will be coming to TfL controlled roads (i.e. main roads) even in outer London. Raised tables will be used at pedestrian crossings and elsewhere to slow traffic and all speed cameras will be recalibrated to the new lower speeds. Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) will also be used to ensure drivers are aware of the new limits.

What is the likely impact on road casualties? From the experience of the City of London where a 20 MPH limit has been in use for some time, the impact will be negligible. But it will make life more difficult for drivers and result in many more speeding fines as the police will be stepping up enforcement measures. This is one more step in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy to deter people from using cars in London.

London is becoming a ghetto of anti-car fanatics. These proposals are being advocated in the name of road safety despite the fact that TfL refuse to give any estimates of the alleged benefits, probably because they know they will turn out to be false. The proposals are likely to be an enormous waste of money and contribute further to TfL’s budget deficit.

We are still pursuing a FOI Act request to obtain TfL’s internal reports justifying these proposals which in their usual anti-democratic approach they have refused to release. We suggest readers complain to their local MP and Greater London Assembly Member about this matter.

Roger Lawson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London

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Croydon Permit Parking Charges – Public Ignored

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The London Borough of Croydon has published the responses to their consultation on changes to parking charges that will result in large increases, particularly for certain vehicles. It will mean the permit parking charge for a vehicle emitting more than 225 g/km of CO2 will rise from £80 to £300. There will also be an additional surcharge of 30% for pre-2015 diesel vehicles and it is also proposed to introduce similar increases for Pay & Display parking spaces.

Councillors have decided to push ahead with the proposals despite the fact that of the 148,000 cars registered in Croydon only 9,000 pay for parking permits. So the impact on air pollution in Croydon will be negligible even if some residents respond by changing their vehicles. As most of the air pollution comes from buses, HGVs and LGVs, charging resident car owners in the name of reducing pollution is pointless.

But the Council will make as much as £162,000 in additional permit charges each year which gives you some idea of the motive for this change.

There were 1,149 responses to the public consultation of which 1,039 submitted objections (i.e. 90%) with only 62 responses in support. Some 19% of respondents suggested this was simply a way for the council to generate income, and they were certainly correct on that point. The council’s response to that was to say the parking charges were insufficient to reduce the number of cars on the roads of Croydon.

You can read all the responses to the public consultation and the Council’s report here: https://tinyurl.com/y3o4oby2 . Here’s a summary of one response: “It is a tax on the poor. It’s not fair on those people who cannot afford to buy a new card…. It is another poverty tax…..”.

Comment: This is a typical example of doing a public consultation and then ignoring the result, apart from ignoring the logic and likely impact of the proposal. Regrettably Labour controlled councils such as Croydon often adopt the stance of ignoring the views of the public because Councillors think they know better what is good for you. I hope that those impacted will bear this in mind at the next borough elections.

Roger Lawson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London

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Number Plate Cloning – A Growing Problem in London

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The Sun newspaper have reported that number plate cloning is a growing problem – particularly in London. Hackney reported 1,160 examples in the past 12 months while Haringey had 842 cases.

The use of cloned plates was supposed to have been stopped by legislation that prevented the manufacture of plates without evidence of vehicles ownership such as the registration document, but that legislation seems to be often ignored.

People clone plates to avoid parking and speeding fines, and to avoid paying for car insurance. But it creates enormous problems for those whose vehicles have been cloned to get the fines issued overturned.

More information here: https://tinyurl.com/y2m6uxqf

Roger Lawson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London

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