Responding to the government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan, Mayor Philip Glanville, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, said:
“As a population and transport hotspot, London has a vital role to play in reducing national carbon emissions and supporting the shift to greener modes of transport.
“The government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan is hugely welcome to reduce national carbon emissions. However, as a transport epicentre, London needs its fair share of funding to align with these ambitious targets. The announcements of £3bn investment in buses outside London alongside £5bn of new funding to overhaul bus and cycle links for every region outside London does not reflect the urgent funding London’s transport sector needs if it is to become greener.
“Our recent State of the City report revealed London’s highway maintenance backlog has reached over £1bn. In order for boroughs to provide greener, attractive transport options across the capital, we need the funding to make sure it is safe and attractive for Londoners and tourists visiting the city to use them.
“London boroughs are working tirelessly with local communities and businesses to lead on this crucial agenda. Through innovating to provide EV charging points, clean air zones, improved cycle lanes and recently, introducing London’s rented e-scooter trial, boroughs are championing greener transport options.
“London is a national and global leader on the potential for cities and their populations to embed social justice in the fight to tackle climate change. However, achieving our net zero ambitions will require collaboration between local and national government, alongside our local communities. We need sustainable, realistic options that will make the transition for Londoners to do their bit to reduce carbon emissions as easy as possible.
“We encourage government to put local government fully at the heart of delivering on the climate emergency, including embedding local authorities as a delivery partner in the Nero Zero Strategy. We are ready to work alongside them to develop investment and frameworks that can create innovative, sustainable and locally-led responses to achieve Net Zero.”
ENDS