London Councils are collectively seeking the public's views on whether lorries using the capital's streets should be fitted with extra mirrors and side guards following a spate of cyclist deaths.
Boroughs, hauliers, cycling organisations, residents and other interested parties are being consulted on their views about potentially changing the permission conditions of the London Lorry Control Scheme - which is managed by London Councils on behalf of the 33 London local authorities and Transport for London.
The scheme works by restricting the movement of HGVs over 18 tonnes in London between 9pm and 7am on weekdays and between 1pm on Saturdays and 7am on Mondays. The scheme is intended to balance the needs of Londoners to get a good night’s sleep with those of the freight industry to make deliveries - there are currently 56,000 permit holders.
EU and UK legislation requires most HGVs to have side guards and close proximity mirrors fitted. However, many vehicle types including construction vehicles, tipper trucks, cement mixers and waste vehicles are exempted from these requirements.
Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, Councillor Catherine West said: “The tragic number of cyclist fatalities in London recently has heightened concerns about cycle safety, particularly the risk of collisions with larger vehicles. This proposal to amend the Lorry Control Scheme permit conditions is a positive action London Councils can take forward quickly to help tackle this problem."
Last year there were 14 cyclists killed in the Capital including six in November alone, prompting head of the Metropolitan Police service to admit he would not be prepared to cycle in London . Earlier this month horrific details of the death of gifted scientist Katherine Giles following a collision with a lorry at Victoria, were disclosed at an inquest .
Have your say on the proposals by filling out the following online form at by February 28. The results will be considered by London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee at its meeting on March 13.
