Sadiq Khan and TfL award London businesses £230,000 to reduce congestion in the capital
Transport for London (TfL) has awarded six businesses more than £230,000 in funding to help them to reduce congestion in the capital by making freight and deliveries more efficient.
The businesses, varying from waste collectors to cycle freight, will each receive a slice of the funding, which is a significant increase on the £60,000 that businesses received last year as tackling congestion moves to the top of Sadiq Khan's agenda.
The London mayor introduced the ultra-low emission zone which will come into force next year. It will charge those that don't meet its emissions standards.
City Hall says goods vehicle movements in the capital have increased by around 20 per cent since 2010, negatively affecting air quality and increasing congestion and the risk of accidents. Khan has said he wants to reduce the number of lorries and vans entering central London in the morning peak by 10 per cent by 2026.
The six chosen businesses – Better Bankside, Team London Bridge, Old Street District, Angel BID, Vauxhall One and Archway Town Centre Group – have been tasked with promoting cycle freight as well as co-ordinating waste collection and deliveries.
Khan said: “We have no option but to be smarter in how our streets work. With London’s population growing, congestion is not only costly and inefficient for London’s businesses, but has a damaging knock-on effect on air quality and our environment.
“Working with businesses, the roll out of these schemes will not only keep our city moving, but improve our health, and improve quality of life for everyone.”