With two weeks to go until the London Mayoral Election, MT puts the three main candidates on the spot to help London-based operators decide who to vote for. Following MT's lead story last week on penalty charge notices (PCNs), the most noteworthy response is Ken Livingstone's answer to whether CVs making essential deliveries in London should be exempt from PCNs.
"I recognise improvements need to be made to assist the loading and unloading of goods in London. I have asked Transport
for London to identify locations where PCNs are issued to goods vehicles and to propose measures to help the situation," says Livingstone. However, he remains firm on both the Congestion Charge and the Low Emission Zone.
What is encouraging is all three candidates' answers to how they view the transport industry: Brian Paddick (Liberal Democrats) says freight in London has not been given the attention it deserves Boris Johnson (Conservatives) says businesses would be severely impaired without operators' hard work, while even Livingstone claims the industry is "vital to London".
Q: How do you view the Freight Transport Industry and how it serves London?
Ken Livingstone, Labour: The freight transport industry is vital to London. Without adequate freight transport, its businesses and homes could not function properly. Over the next 20 years the population of London is forecast to grow by
almost one million people, so it is essential that there is adequate provision for the growth in freight.
Boris Johnson, Conservative: London’s businesses would be severely impaired without the freight transport industry’s hard work, yet Livingstone doesn’t seem to feel the same way. That is why I will rephase traffic lights to stay on green for longer, review the Congestion Charge, reinstate tidal flow at the Blackwall tunnel and implement policies to get London moving.
Brian Paddick, Liberal Democrats: Freight movement is crucial to the success of London’s economy, and deliveries are vital to the everyday life of London’s communities and citizens. The movement of freight in Greater London has not so far been given the attention it deserves.
Q: What are your plans for the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and how will these affect transport businesses?
Livingstone: London suffers from the worst air pollution in Europe. More than 1,000 people die prematurely each year as a result of the poor air quality, with a similar number hospitalised. Many others are affected at certain times through asthma and other respiratory ailments. This is why I introduced the LEZ. We have worked closely with industry partners in the specification of the scheme and to inform their members of the changes required.
Johnson: I am behind the aims of the LEZ – but it is clear that this scheme has been hastily implemented by Livingstone. I pledge to re-hold a consultation on the western extension and be bound by its results. I will also review the LEZ and listen to Londoners – including freight operators and other transport businesses.
Paddick: I oppose the current Mayor’s LEZ scheme, which Transport for London admits will only deliver a 0.3% improvement in air quality across Greater London despite costing £57m to install. It is clear from discussions I have had with traders that his scheme may well threaten their businesses.
Q: Should commercial vehicles carrying out essential deliveries be exempt from the congestion charge?
Livingstone: CVs create congestion just as cars do and hence should not be exempt. However, the scheme has created benefits for many delivery firms. Seventy thousand fewer vehicles enter the congestion zone each day, meaning that delivery vehicles are able to make more drops. Despite reports that congestion is close to where it was before the scheme, this is predominately due to a significant increase in utility works. Without the Congestion Charge, central London would be in gridlock.
Johnson: The Congestion Charge worked once. Now congestion is worse than before. The entire system needs an overhaul. That is why I will scrap the £25 charge and implement a review of the system, pending the handover of contracts for running the Congestion Charge from Capita to IBM in 2009. The current regime of fining and exempting is too draconian. We need fresh thinking to stop penalising the motorist and keep congestion and emissions down.
Paddick: I propose to scrap the western extension of the Congestion Charge into Kensington and Chelsea. CVs in the Central Zone will continue to be charged: it is important that operators make the most efficient use of trips during the daytime. We will consider adapting the technology already installed for the LEZ to facilitate a perimeter charge on the GLA boundary. This will not apply to CVs and should help operators by reducing unnecessary traffic on arterial routes from the boundary into inner London.
Q: What plans do you have to review the London Lorry Control Scheme (LLCS) specifically in relation to delivery times and delivery windows?
Livingstone: The LLCS is administered by the London boroughs with an aim to reduce night-time noise levels. Over time HGV s have become much quieter so I feel it is time that the boroughs review the whole approach to the scheme. Where businesses can be adequately serviced at night, without disturbing neighbouring properties, this should be considered. Such a measure will assist the freight industry and help to reduce congestion during the day.
Johnson: The LLCS performs an important function. It is however also important that we have uniform loading restrictions and delivery windows for lorries across London. The freight industry should not be made to continually suffer at the hands of the disparities between boroughs.
Paddick: Night-time deliveries should be explored now that new technology permits much quieter operations – avoiding much peakhour congestion in the first half of the morning.
Q: What concerns do you have about London's infrastructure being able to handle the freight requirements arising from the 2012 Olympics and how will you address these?
Livingstone: The construction of the 2012 Olympics will require significant movements of materials and equipment to and from the site. This will have an impact on the surrounding area and it is the job of the Olympic Delivery Authority to find the best way of dealing with this. Its plan is to utilise rail and river options as much as possible to transfer bulk goods, which will help take pressure off the local road network.
Johnson: The Olympics need to be handled properly and the costs must not spiral out of control. I have set a top cost for the Olympics of 38p per week of the Mayoral precept. Livingstone has never been able to deliver value for money. He has raised Tube fares to pay for the disastrous collapse of Tube company Metronet, with £2m lost each day. We need to deliver infrastructure upgrades to cost and only a Mayor who can deliver value for money will get this done on time and to budget.
Paddick: Rail freight routes need enhancing – I will press for an upgraded Felixstowe-Nuneaton line, which would reduce pressure on the North London and Gospel Oak-Barking lines. Barge traffic on the Thames should be encouraged: it is vital that docking sites are safeguarded along the river and in the Lea Valley. However, road freight remains key: I will be keeping a close eye on all the Olympic Delivery Authority plans.
