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Sadiq Khan is trying to turn London into a “car-free city,” according to a leading motorist advocate. Ian Taylor, Chairman of the Alliance of British Drivers, warned against the London Mayor’s latest plans to set traffic lights automatically to red for motorists. He told talkRADIO the Labour Mayor had “plenty of genuine problems he should be getting on with instead of this gesture politics”.
TalkRADIO host Patrick Christys warned penalising drivers would have a “knock-on effect for our economy”.
Mr Taylor agreed: “People aren’t driving through London for a picnic, it’s usually about business.”
Transport for London (TfL), which is run by the Mayor of London, has confirmed plans this week to convert 18 pedestrian crossing with “Green Person Authority” technology, giving people walking priority over cars.
Under the scheme, a crossing will show a continuous “green person” signal until traffic approaches.
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Plans are already underway for it to be brought in as early as next month in Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hounslow, Richmond and Hillingdon.
London’s walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman said the shift in priority at the signals was introduced in part because walking “improves our mental and physical health.”
However, Mr Christys warned of a forthcoming “war on cars”.
He added: “This is coming to a city near you. Everything that happens in London works its way north.
“Eventually these cities will become car-free zones. The idea they want to give people the space they need to walk safely is pathetic.
A poll yesterday saw the vast majority of Express.co.uk readers push back against the new plans.
A huge 87 percent (1,714) thought pedestrians should not be prioritised and voted “no”.
Just over 12 percent (248) were in favour of the new traffic rules and voted “yes”.
Other campaign groups like the London Taxi groups argue the capital needs free flowing traffic in order to function.
TfL hopes the initiative will increase the number of journeys made by foot, reduce the number of cars and made London a greener place.
Motorists in London have also recently complained of increased congestion on major routes around the city following the introduction of controversial ‘low traffic neighbourhoods’.
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