Traffic Flow Scheme Vetoed by Lib Dems

A permit scheme by Mayor of London Boris Johnson designed to give councils the power to turn down or refuse roadwork schemes has been shunned by the ruling Lib Dem administration in Kingston!

The London-wide scheme makes it a criminal offence to carry out road-works above a certain threshold without permission. Twenty-five London boroughs have already signed up; meaning three quarters of all roads in the capital will be covered by the permits by early next year, allowing for a reduction in the 36% of traffic delays caused by road-works in London.

However, Cllr Bob Steed, Executive Member for the Environment, has said despite the ‘current problems’ blighting the Royal Borough’s highways, he is still ‘not quite sure of the benefits’ of the scheme. He has refused to sign up to the code and said ‘we want to see how it goes.’

The Conservative Group has pledged to re-evaluate the scheme if they are elected in the forthcoming local elections. Leader Cllr Howard Jones said ‘Interminable traffic jams and hold ups caused by road-works result in increased carbon emissions, angry motorists, and damage the local economy. We see no good reason for the Administration’s refusal to sign up.’

London Assembly Member for South-West London Tony Arbour has questioned why the Lib Dems would ‘rather play party politics than join the Mayor in working to cut road-works.’