LONDON’S transport got a double green boost today with news that the capital tops the UK league for low emission cars and is to welcome two more cycle superhighways to a growing network.
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Cars – many of them electric – pumping out less than 100g of CO2 per kilometre are rated as low emission and most of those cars are to be found in London, according to a new top ten of sales of low emission cars produced by EcoVelocity.
Camden, Islington and Westminster sections of the WC postcode area came top, with 28% of registered cars in the low emission category, followed by the SW postcode area (Clapham, Putney, Wimbledon etc.), then the EC area (the City of London) and next, postcode zone N (Barnet, Enfield, Haringey etc.).
London’s lead in low emission cars is thought to be due to the higher number of electric charge points available.
There is also more of a financial incentive in London as under100g/km car owners don’t have to pay the Congestion Charge. Elsewhere, the cash benefit comes only from not having to pay road tax.
Meanwhile, two more cycle superhighways opened for business today. The CS8 runs from Wandsworth to Westminster and the CS2 from Bow to Aldgate.
They join the the CS7 from Merton to The City and CS3 from Barking to Tower Gateway, both of which have substantially raised cycling along their routes, according to new figures from Transport for London.
The CS7 has seen a 46% rise in cycle traffic, while the CS3 a whopping 80% increase.
“Our pilot routes have proved a great success with lots more Londoners leaping into the saddle, and telling us they feel safer on the road. I’m confident our new cycle superhighways will prove just as popular,” said Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London’s Director for Environment.
By 2015, the plan is to have 12 cycle superhighways.
