Today the Department for Transport and Mayor of London announced plans to improve the safety of HGVs to make the roads safer for cyclists. Following the announcement, the London Assembly Labour Group Transport spokeswoman, Val Shawcross AM, has supported the moves and called on the Mayor to follow through on the demands of the London Cycling Campaign.

Val Shawcross AM said:

“These proposals from the Mayor and DfT are welcome, however we need urgent action to make our roads safer for cyclists from the dangers posed by HGVs. People should not die because they cycle, action needs to be taken to stop bad cyclists jumping red lights but we also need to design out as many problems as possible.

“The London Cycling Campaign are demanding better education for all HGV drivers, which is relatively cheap to deliver, and that all HGVs should have the latest safety equipment. This means a full set of safety mirrors and sensors/cameras that help the driver be more aware of vulnerable road users near their vehicle. These cost a few hundred pounds per vehicle. I also welcome the Mayor’s proposal for a substantial levy on HGVs coming into London that fail to equip themselves with this equipment. People are dying, there are ways of reducing deaths and we must act.”

Val and the Labour Group at City Hall were integral to the Greater London Assembly Transport Committee’s cycling report Gearing Up, published last November which called for a doubling of TfL’s cycling budget and the appointment of a cycling commissioner. Their recommendations were integral to the Mayor’s subsequent action plan.