This checklist sets out the Vision Zero policies that should be included in a London borough’s transport plans. These will be found in the Transport Plan or the (strangely titled) Third Local Implementation Plan – Transport. This is the funding that the borough receives from TfL in relation to transport and road safety improvements.
Remember the picture in London is made more complex by the roles that Transport for London (TfL) and the 33 boroughs play. TfL sets the overall strategy in London and is the highway authority for the Red Routes. The London boroughs are the highway authorities for around 95% of the roads in the borough. What the borough does can really make a difference.
This is our starter-for-ten and we are happy to include other suggestions and improvements!
| Theme | Vision Zero Policies |
| Safe speeds | Default 20mph speed limit in built-up areas (not including TfL’s red route roads). |
| On major roads, where average speeds remain above 20mph, additional traffic calming measures such as bus-friendly raised tables. | |
| Safe junctions and crossings | Direct, single-stage crossings. |
| Lobby TfL to minimise wait time and provide sufficient time for pedestrians to cross at signalised pedestrian crossings. | |
| Frequent formal/informal crossings, especially in areas with high place function. | |
| Formal crossings at bus stops. | |
| Closure of side roads to motor traffic. | |
| Continuous crossings across side roads (also known as Copenhagen Crossings) | |
| Safe space for cycling | Protected cycle lanes on main roads, supported by Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 20mph speed limits – see above and below. Use our spreadsheet to find out the length of segregated track in your borough. |
| Less traffic | Road User Charging/Expanded ULEZ – the boroughs may not be able to introduce it but they can clearly support it. |
| Introduction of a Workplace Parking Levy. | |
| Car free town/city centres. | |
| Reduction of freight vehicles using delivery consolidation, retiming and last-mile sustainable delivery, for example with (e)cargo bikes. | |
| Planning policies that mandate car-free residential development. | |
| Planning policies that ensure low car use in commercial development. | |
| Low Traffic Neighbourhoods that remove through-traffic from residential areas. | |
| Parking controls such as borough-wide controlled parking zones (CPZ) that discourage unnecessary car journeys. | |
| Safe vehicles | Encouraging/mandating Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) for 1) fleet procurement as part of renewal programmes; 2) any service procured by the borough with a fleet requirement; 3) any car club vehicles that aim to operate from a base within the borough. |
| Encouraging/mandating contractors to use Direct Vision Standards in HGVs. | |
| Encouraging/mandating the use of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) in contractor vehicles. | |
| Behaviours and enforcement | Active Community Roadwatch programme. |
| Promotion of police enforcement work using social media. |