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Report

Moving with the Times: Supporting sustainable travel in outer London

This report explores how to improve transport options for the millions of people living in outer London. Helping people get around their local areas and reducing reliance on car ownership.

People in outer London own and use cars more often than people in inner London:

  • 69% of households in outer London have access to or own a car, compared to 42% in inner London
  • twice as many journeys in outer London are by car than in inner London (38% vs 19% of journeys)
  • over half of car trips in outer London are less than two miles long

Why? Outer Londoners are being pushed towards car use by poor transport options. By improving options for local sustainable travel, we can reduce air pollution and congestion.

Our report explores ways to make walking, cycling, car clubs and public transport better for local trips – not just commuting in and out of central London.

Policy Recommendations

  1. Provide sufficient funding: Local authorities and Transport for London need both additional funding and the ability to plan spending with certainty. Government needs to give London the power to raise the funds it needs.
  2. Improve planning and funding decisions: The Mayor of London should develop an Outer London Transport Strategy to systematically consider people’s travel needs – with more weight given to local journeys that don’t start or end in central London.
  3. Improve the rail network: The Department for Transport should work with Transport for London to improve the reliability, speed and frequency of services in outer London. A more reliable service will make it a better option for connections.
  4. Increase the coverage of the cycle network in outer London: Prioritise new safe, segregated cycle lanes suitable for a range of micromobility vehicles. These should support local journeys for leisure and family purposes, not just commuting to central London.
  5. Make walking and cycling more pleasant: Better street lighting, clearer pavements, and safer cycle lanes.
  6. Commit to new public transport routes for new developments: Transport for London should commit to introducing new bus routes for new housing developments before those developments are completed. This can be paid for from developer funds.
  7. More parking space for sustainable travel: Finding extra on-street space for cycle hangars, shared micromobility schemes and car club vehicles – especially around key transport hubs such as bus stops and train stations.
  8. Share best practice on shared transport modes: The GLA and councils should work together to share best practice for procurement of shared transport modes such as car clubs and shared bike schemes.
  9. Listen to people’s concerns and opinions: Engage with the public to discuss major changes, including with those less likely to use sustainable modes of transport. Early and comprehensive public engagement will improve both public trust and the quality of schemes.
  10. Encourage the shift away from private cars: Engage with people who don’t currently walk, cycle, ride public transport, or use car clubs much – with the aim of helping them find out how they can use them and what support is available.

Principal Sponsor