TfL research shows LBH&F to have most congested streets in London

Local MP, Greg Hands has expressed concern at research by Transport for London which shows Hammersmith and Fulham has officially the most congested streets in London.

A report has revealed that that those driving in the borough suffer a total of 7.6 million minutes of delay each year, easily the highest rate of delay of all 33 Boroughs. This comes at a time when the Labour Mayor of London is pushing ahead with his plans for the Western Extension of the Congesting Charging Zone, which will force vast amounts of traffic into the neighbouring Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The study takes the total hours of delay suffered by drivers, divided by the length of road in the Borough.

The most recent consultation revealed that 3 out of 4 Londoners were opposed to the Extension and an independent study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research has revealed that the principal costs of Ken Livingstone’s plans could be the loss of 6,000 jobs and £236m in annual sales to businesses.

Greg said “This shows very clearly that the Western Extension to the Congestion Charging Zone will have a detrimental effect on Hammersmith and Fulham. The displaced traffic will be pushed into an area which already has the highest annual vehicle delay of any borough in London.

“Ken Livingstone is attempting to dupe the public into believing that the Western Extension will be a success, but it is perfectly clear that the scheme is flawed. He has paid no attention to those who will be living on the edge of the zone; the effect on the residents, businesses and roads of Hammersmith & Fulham will be quite devastating.”

June 14, 2006