Former Olympic cyclist says Boris Johnson should honour promise to look at banning HGVs during peak hours

Chris Boardman (in red) with fellow cyclists

Chris Boardman (in red) with fellow cyclists

Former Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman has called on London mayor Boris Johnson to consider banning construction lorries and other heavy goods vehicles from parts of London during peak hours.

In an open letter to the mayor published today, Boardman 鈥 a policy advisor at British Cycling - called on Johnson to look to the example of Paris, which suffered no cycling fatalities last year.

London has suffered six cycling deaths on its roads in the past two weeks, with construction lorries believed to be involved in a number of these, despite making up a fraction of all traffic.

Boardman wrote: 鈥淲hen I rode alongside you to help you launch your vision for cycling in March this year, you made a verbal promise to look at the successful experiences of Paris and other cities in restricting the movement of heavy vehicles during peak hours.

鈥淭here have now been six cycling fatalities on the capital鈥檚 roads in two weeks and a total of 14 so far in 2013. HGVs were involved in nine of the fatal crashes 鈥 that鈥檚 64% of the fatalities 鈥 despite making up less than 5% of traffic.

鈥淏ritish Cycling is disappointed that, eight months later, nothing has been announced on progressing this. Now is the time to make the tough and critical decisions necessary to achieve your vision 鈥 without that, more lives will be put at risk.鈥

However, speaking on the Vanessa Feltz show on BBC London Radio, the mayor said that - while he is not dismissing the suggestion - imposing a peak-time ban risked damaging London companies and creating a 鈥渟erious influx as soon as the ban is over鈥.

He said there needed to be a 鈥渕uch bigger conversation about HGVs鈥 and the dangers they pose when they turn left, adding that - although examples from other European cities were being studied -  he is 鈥渂y no means satisfied鈥 the idea was the solution.

Kate Gibbs, spokeswoman for the Road Haulage Association which represents hauliers, told the BBC: 鈥淟orries have to get in and out of construction sites. Shops have to have goods on their shelves. Even Halfords.鈥

She said restricting lorries from entering the city between 10:00 and 18:00 for example 鈥渨ould add to the congestion that London roads are already facing鈥.

London cycle deaths

2010: 10 deaths, four involving HGVs

2011: 16 deaths, 12 involving HGVs

2012: 14 deaths, five involving HGVs

2013 so far: 14 deaths, nine involving HGVs

Source: TfL

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