Transport for LondonStreet Management
Skip to navigation << Back to indexTfL Street Management helps realise the Mayor's vision to improve London's streets for everyone. Its responsibilities include the reduction of congestion, the improvement of roads to deliver greater public safety, smoother public transportation and a more pleasant street environment. Part of its role includes working with the boroughs to improve the state of the road network and providing facilities for sustainable transport such as cycling and walking.
Street Management maintains Red Routes, 580km of roads (five per cent of London's total road network) that carry about a third of London's traffic. It is not only responsible for roads, but also for pavements, bridges and ten major tunnels. Its role also extends to the management of all 4,600 sets of London's traffic signals and improving cycling, walking, bus priority and traffic management on the capital's streets.
17 February 2003 was a historic day for London with the introduction of the congestion charge. Motorists are now charged £5 to drive within an eight square mile zone in central London between 07:00 and 18:30. The scheme aimed to achieve a 10-15 per cent reduction in traffic levels inside the zone and a 25 per cent reduction in traffic congestion.
After the first three months of operation, traffic within the zone is consistently down by 16 per cent and congestion is down by 32 per cent. The majority of motorists who have opted not to pay the charge have chosen to transfer to public transport. 6,000 more people are now using the bus network in the zone in the peak hour alone, with many of them using the new buses and new routes introduced specifically to increase choice and capacity in the run up to congestion charging.
TfL is conducting comprehensive monitoring and is looking into the ongoing impacts of the charge, including the effect on businesses within the zone. Initial findings from this research will be published in the Congestion Charge Six Months on Report, which is due for publication in Autumn 2003.
The London Traffic Control Centre (LTCC) was launched in the New Year. For the first time all transport management functions are now integrated under one controlling authority where traffic managers, police and bus controllers all sit together monitoring screens and taking co-ordinated action to keep London's roads flowing more easily. LTCC provides a London-wide computer-controlled signals network including tunnel, bridge and tidal flow schemes as well as signal layout and junction design.
In 2002/03, the scheme to remove the one-way system in Shoreditch was successfully completed over an eight-month period and now provides major improvements and upgraded facilities for all public highway users. Other major schemes such as the Trafalgar Square and Vauxhall Cross projects continued throughout 2002/03.
A new planning and permitting tool (Clearview) is being developed which will enable effective planning and co-ordination of road and street works by both Highway Authorities and utility companies, to reduce the impact that works have on London's roads.
In 2002, there was real frustration at levels of congestion and the seemingly interminable digging up of roads across the capital. Most of this disruption arises from private sector companies in cable and energy provision having direct access to London's roads. In order to minimise future traffic disruption caused by factors such as road and street works, incidents and events, ineffective or inappropriate junction designs and traffic signal operations, on both Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) and borough roads, a new Director of Traffic Management role has been established to oversee and co-ordinate all of these areas and minimise their impact.
The London Cycle Network has also been refocused to provide fast, safe, comfortable conditions for cyclists on the main transport corridors. This provides the framework for local routes and other infrastructure improvements such as cycle parking.
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