Khan proposes expanding transport network to unlock housing
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has published long-term plans for the capital's transport network, which includes expanded and more frequent services to help unlock housing developments.
The draft strategy features investment in new and improved services for passengers as well as a focus on walking and cycling.
Khan has also pledged to make the entire transport system zero emission by 2050; provide new tube trains with more reliable services; extensions to the Tube, DLR and Overground and green buses.
Crossrail 2 features, with the draft strategy outlining how Crossrail 2 is essential to the capital's future economy, jobs and homes.
As the capital's population is expected to rise to 10.5 million people by 2041, he says it is vital that action is taken to avoid growing congestion, overcrowding, pollution and ill health.
The draft strategy proposes:
Investment across the entire tube network – the completion of new signalling and more frequent services on the Metropolitan, District, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines. Improvements on the Jubilee, Northern and Victoria lines so they offer "one of the most frequent services in the world" by 2023. Modernisation of the Piccadilly, Central, Bakerloo and Waterloo & City lines will begin by the mid-2020s, including new trains and more frequent services.
Expansion of the network - the Elizabeth line will open next year. Transport for London (TfL) will take forward extensions to the Bakerloo line to Lewisham and beyond, the London Overground to Barking Riverside, the Northern line to Battersea and the DLR across the Thames to Thamesmead. New river crossings in East London, such as the public transport-focused Silvertown Tunnel, will "deliver significant boosts to the capital".
Transform London's streets and cut car journeys by three million each day – The Healthy Streets Approach will change the face of London's streets, making them better places to walk and cycle, cleaner, safer and quieter. There will be a record investment in walking and cycling, Liveable Neighbourhoods, and building developments designed around walking, cycling and public transport.
Working to ensure London's entire transport system is zero emission by 2050 – TfL will work to make London's entire road transport system zero emission by 2050 at the latest. This is proposed to be delivered through a phased approach, following widespread public consultation and building on the forthcoming introduction of the ultra-low emission zone and the T-charge.
Creating a London suburban rail metro service to radically improve rail travel in outer London and maintain investment in London's bus network to keep it one of the finest in the world and fully zero emission by 2037
Improving accessibility across London to enable all Londoners, including disabled and older people, to travel spontaneously and independently.
Khan said that as London continues to grow it is vital to take a bold approach to ensure that the transport network works for all.
"We simply cannot afford to take the same old approach to travel as our growing population puts increasing pressure on our network," he said.
"While we are delivering affordable, reliable and accessible transport through the improved services and new infrastructure that we need, we're also changing the whole way we look at transport as a whole.
"Only by focusing on active travel, providing efficient zero-emission transport and reducing our dependency on cars, can we improve the health of Londoners, support economic growth, deliver homes and jobs, and make our city an even better place to live."
Annabel Osborne, RTPI London chair, said: 'We are pleased to see the mayor using transport to unlock areas for new housing – affordable housing is the number one issue for Londoners. The institute has been calling on governments, at all levels, to use infrastructure to act as a catalyst to unlock large scale housing, jobs and economic growth."
Khan's draft transport strategy is open to public consultation until 2 October 2017. It can be found on the TfL website.
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