Launch of a new Roads Task Force by London Mayor Boris Johnson is hoped to improve the performance of streets in the capital and to enhance public spaces.

Among the initiatives put forward in a report last week are the roofing over of arterial roads to create new surface space and reconnect communities severed by highways. Tolled road tunnels are also part of the plan, as are making greater use of intelligent technology to smooth traffic flow and creating more area wide 20MPH zones.

Iconic thoroughfares such as Oxford Street could be redesigned to improve the public realm, new river crossings built to support housing development and more dedicated lanes introduced to encourage movement by vulnerable road users.

Boris Johnson said: “For this great city to retain its global pre-eminence it is essential that we continue to invest and have the courage and vision to develop and drive forward innovative solutions. I look forward to working with partners including those represented on the Roads Task Force in taking many of these ideas forward.”

Business group London First’s infrastructure director David Leam, a member of the Roads Task Force, said: “On rail London is planning for future growth with bold projects like Crossrail 2. We now need to be similarly visionary for London’s roads. With road congestion in London costing the UK economy £4Bn a year we need a radical new plan to keep London moving, including new road links and tunnels.”

Photo: Mike Roberts

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