Data released this week shows that deaths and serious injuries on the City of London’s streets have fallen to their lowest level since records began.
The City of London Corporation is committed to the Vision Zero goal of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries on our streets by 2040, working with the City of London Police and emergency services, Transport for London and City workers, visitors and residents.
During 2021, there were 39 people seriously injured and one person killed on City streets, down from 41 serious injuries the year before.
The last two years (2020 and 2021) have seen lower numbers of serious injuries, in part due to a reduction in travel during the pandemic. In 2018, there were 82 serious injuries recorded, with 76 recorded in 2019.
Walking is by far the main mode of travel within the City, with over 750,000 journeys walked per day.
The City of London Corporation is implementing a three-year Pedestrian Priority Programme, from 2021 to 2024, to enhance the comfort and safety of people walking in the Square Mile.
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Other schemes to deliver safer streets include:
Charterhouse School Street, closing part of Charterhouse Square to motor vehicles during the start and finish times of the school day to improve safety for children walking and cycling.
CityMark programme to improve monitoring of vehicle standard compliance at construction sites
St Paul’s Gyratory scheme to transform an uninviting road and improve safety for people walking and cycling.
All Change at Bank project delivering further improvements at Bank junction to reduce casualties by simplifying the junction and reducing crowding.
Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, Shravan Joshi, said: “Deaths and serious injuries on City streets are not inevitable. We must act together to put an end to these tragic accidents and deliver on Vision Zero.
“The challenge is now to sustain the reduction in these incidents seen during the pandemic, as the Square Mile’s recovery gathers pace and more people are travelling to and from the City.
“The City Corporation is working to prevent these avoidable tragedies by making our streets safer for people walking and cycling while reducing motor traffic and speeds. I urge everyone to act responsibly and keep our streets safe for everyone.”
Inspector Myles Hilbery, from the Roads Policing Unit at the City of London Police, said: “To achieve the aims of Vision Zero, both enforcement and engagement are crucial.
“Whilst we will be cracking down on drivers who do not comply with the law and put members of the public at risk, it is vital that we also educate people on what they are doing wrong.
“This engagement is often the most effective tool in preventing repeat offences, making our roads safer for all.”
Image by Clive Totman
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