MAG asks whether Sadiq Khan prizes revenue more than motorcyclist safety. Silvertown tunnel charge engagement reveals TfL conducted no assessment of the safety implications of the proposed motorcycle charges
In exchanges with Transport for London’s Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnel charges consultation team, it has been revealed that no risk assessment has been caried out for riders taking long diversions to avoid the proposed tunnel charges. This admission was accompanied by claims that TfL’s models ‘don’t specifically model motorcycles.’
Within days of the consultation launch, MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement asked to be supplied with the specific modelling for varying comparative charges for motorcycles. TfL’s documentation claims that various charge levels have been modelled to determine the appropriate level. He also requested sight of the risk assessments carried out for riders who would be likely to make lengthy detours to other crossings where there are no charges. There were significant delays in the response, leading to an agreement to extend the deadline for MAG, BMF and the NMC to submit their consultation responses. The final admission that this analysis work had not been attempted came on the day before the formal consultation closed.
MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said:
“I have to say that these admissions come as little surprise. But my lack of surprise should not cover my anger. MAG has been engaging with the Silvertown Tunnel project consultations for over a decade. We have repeatedly made it clear that the logical outcome is for motorcycles to be exempt from charges. There is no way that TfL can claim that they were not given time or opportunity to carry out analysis to weigh the pros and cons of our argument. To find that they have simply ignored motorcycles in their modelling is shocking. But worse is the admission that risk assessments of the obvious outcomes of introducing charges – that riders will detour to avoid them – have not been attempted. It is hard to conclude anything but that the Mayor is coveting revenue far more than his alleged concern for rider safety.”
MAG’s consultation response submitted today points to these failings. The response references TfL’s own modelling guidelines that explain how motorcycles can be modelled. It also points out that the guidelines contain an entire chapter discussing the complexities and importance of modelling pedal cycle flows, whilst ignoring the fact that motorcycle modelling is equally complex and just as vital.
MAG awaits the final decision on the charges. Colin Brown will also press for urgent meetings to discuss TfL’s apparent lack of concern for motorcyclists’ lives.
Notes
MAG’s response to the consultation can be found here: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/a/a8/Silvertown_and_Blackwall_tunnels_user_charge_consultation_response_MAG_-_2024_09_06.pdf
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