High Level Seminar Identifies Transport Needs

18/02/2002

A sustained and concerted lobbying campaign on a variety of major transport schemes is needed if early progress is to be made in solving South London’s traffic problems. This was one of the conclusions to come out of a recent one-day Forward Strategy Seminar of local transport experts organised by SWELTRAC*, the sub-regional partnership covering south and west London.

Chaired by John East, Head of Environment Planning & Review at the London Borough of Richmond, the seminar boasted speakers including Nigel Thomas, London Director of the Strategic Rail Authority; Jim Collins, London Development chief at Railtrack; Jon Willis, Assistant Director of Rail Services at Transport for London; and Andrew Weeden, Head of Borough Partnerships at TfL. Attendees included representatives of SWELTRAC’s partner Boroughs and senior staff from local transport operators and the London Transport Users Committee.

In addition to the guest speakers, two workshop sessions were held to discuss issues relating to the local rail network and improvements to integrated transport systems. One of the main conclusions was the need to both lobby for and promote improvements to the South London Metro system, aimed at providing a tube style train network serving the whole of south and west London. Proposals to identify bottlenecks in the network, provide better information and improve integration with other modes of public transport would be key priorities in achieving these aims.

Another urgent consideration identified was the need to establish where gaps exist in the local bus network and to find ways to fill those gaps. The promotion of schemes to create greater awareness of bus services would also be a key factor in encouraging people out of their cars and onto buses.

Other issues singled out for greater attention by SWELTRAC included the need to work more closely with local businesses (particularly in the promotion of Green Travel Plans), to push for the Airtrack proposals into Heathrow and to support the introduction of more Car Club Schemes across London. The need to promote and develop more pedestrian-based schemes was also felt to be a key issue that needs to be addressed.