GCSE Geography | Transport in London (UK City Study: London 7)

London has a population of just over 9 million people and is considered one of the most polluted cities in the UK, primarily due to high levels of road traffic emissions, which contribute significantly to air pollution, particularly nitrogen oxides (NO2). Central London has a worse pollution record than most other European cities and regularly breaks European Union (EU) regulations on air quality - exceeding the limit of 40 mg/m3 for NO2, although this is not as bad as many cities in Asia. The dense road network leads to congestion and the city's tall buildings trap polluted air between them.

This has an impact on public health with potential for respiratory issues and premature deaths - it is estimated that there are more than 4,000 deaths a year in London due to long-term exposure to air pollution, although recent data shows there has been a slight drop in NO2 levels as a result of the strategies in place to mitigate air pollution.

London's rail network

London's commuter railway network is the largest and busiest in Europe - there are 250 miles of underground routes (see photo below) and 368 railway stations in the London Travelcard Zones. These are all connected to a vast overground railway system which serves Greater London and the surrounding metropolitan area, and connects to all parts of the UK, as well as having high speed links to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam through the Eurostar service. Over 1.1 million people commute into central London daily - the majority of commuters to central London arrive by train, with 400,000 using the Underground and 860,000 using surface railways.

Crossrail - the Elizabeth Line

London is improving its transport infrastructure with the aim to make it more sustainable by reducing the negative impacts of traffic congestion and air pollution, and encouraging more carbon neutral and healthier ways to travel around the capital.

Crossrail (pictured below) is part of this and is one of the most advanced infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UK, costing £16.5 billion with 32km of twin bore tunnels built under central London linking west to east by the new Elizabeth line - which will reduce journey times, ease congestion and add another 1.5 million people who live within a 45 minute commute into central London. It is also claimed that it will increase property prices by 25% close to stations along the route and will encourage further regeneration, which will create thousands more jobs. Construction started in 2009 and was due to open fully in 2018, but ironically the project ran late! The central section opened in May 2022, and the line fully opened in May 2023.

As well as constructing Crossrail there have also been a number of smaller-scale improvements to the existing transport infrastructure including cycle networks and superhighways, and rental bikes and e-scooters...

Bikes and e-scooters for hire

London's Santander Cycles scheme has over 12,000 bikes (both pedal and electric) at around 800 docking stations (such as the one in the photo below). The scheme is available 24/7, 365 days a year and covers more than 40 square miles (100 km2) of London. The scheme offers a Day Pass for unlimited 30-minute rides for £3 a day, and over 11.5 million bikes are hired annually. In addition to this in June 2021 TfL trialled the rental of e-scooters - this trial was deemed successful and expanded across London to ten boroughs. There are now over 5,000 e-scooters available to hire.

Cycle Superhighway

Linked to this is the London Cycle Superhighway, which provides 1.5 metre wide barrier free cycle paths connecting outer London to the central area - TfL claims they will give a ‘safer, faster and more direct journey into the city’. The initial plans had 12 routes, however only 6 have actually opened and many argue that the scheme hasn't been that effective as cyclists still have to navigate bus stops, changing widths of the road and traffic light junctions, although there is evidence that traffic congestion along the cycle routes has been reduced.

Other schemes

London's sustainable integrated transport system also includes payment schemes to direct tackle congestion and air pollution...

Congestion Charge

This was introduced in 2003 and is one of the largest congestion charge zones in the world. It costs £15 per day to enter the congestion charge zone between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday to Friday, and between 12:00 noon and 6:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. Those who don't pay are fined £160.

The congestion charge scheme significantly reduced the number cars entering London during the first few years from 46% to 36%, and public transport use increased from 29% to 37%. In the same period traffic congestion was reduced by 30% and traffic speeds in the city increased by 30% - so the scheme has been viewed as a success.

Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

In 2019 the ULEZ was introduced to reduce the number of high emitting vehicles and HGVs in London. Initially the zone covered Central London, but in 2021 it was extended to cover the area within the North Circular and South Circular roads, and was further extended to the whole of Greater London in 2023.

The criteria for charging is based on European emission standards - motorcycles, cars and vans that don't meet the standards are charged £12.50 per day, whereas buses, coaches, and heavy goods vehicles have to pay £100.
Drivers entering central London who have paid for ULEZ still have to pay the separate congestion charge.

In 2022 the ULEZ raised £224m in charges and fines - this is invested back into the transport network and other measures to reduce air pollution in London. The income from ULEZ has declined steadily since then as more vehicles now comply to the emission standards.

The ULEZ has been controversial - many have argued that the poorest drivers would be affected the most as they are more likely to drive older non-compliant cars, and others have argued about the cost impact on small businesses. There has also been a campaign of organised vandalism against the cameras than enforce the ULEZ. However, research has shown that this zone has significantly nitrogen oxide emissions, and that sales of diesel cars are down by 40%, which has declined more than any other area of the UK.