TfL must extend CIRAS to all HGVs working under TfL Contracts

This post is based on a guest post I wrote for the Safer Oxford Street blog here. I've reposted it to keep our supporters up to date with progress:

 
Dear Friends,

Thanks to campaigners like Tom Kearney, Bus Driver X and a Transport Specialist, from January 2016 TfL will be the first public sector transport agency in UK where both train and bus operations will have access to Confidential Safety Reporting. TfL has made the decision to adopt the Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) for all London's buses in part due to campaigning by Tom's blog.

Significantly, this will also be the first time in UK history that the long-standing confidential reporting practice has been transferred from rail-to-road, marking a landmark victory for road danger reduction and also a forward thinking move by TfL they should be applauded for.

Despite welcome improvements to the safety of our buses this does not go far enough: Three cyclists in London have been killed by HGVs operated by TfL's Crossrail contractors since November 2013: Claire Abadie-Hitier, Brian Holt and Maria Karsa. When TfL's Crossrail goes live in 2018, all its rail operations staff will all have access to CIRAS; however currently none of their lorry operators have access to Confidential Safety Reporting during construction of the railway.

Last week TfL showed they have the power to lead the way on HGV safety by announcing glass doors will be fitted as a priority to all lorries working for the Greater London Authority, Transport for London and Crossrail. This is a welcome move which will reduce the risk of 'left hook' incidents by providing more direct vision to the front left of the vehicle where cyclists are often directed by cycle lanes.

Confidential Safety Reporting would compliment vehicle improvements by ensuring safety best practice is adopted throughout the organisation and potential dangers are addressed before they result in serious incidents. Now that TfL will be implementing CIRAS on London's streets we need them to extend this scheme to the most dangerous vehicles —and firstly—to the most dangerous vehicles under contract to TfL and its Crossrail Project.

We need TfL to implement CIRAS for all HGV contractors working for TfL and Crossrail. This move would show TfL and Crossrail leading from the front on one of the most pressing road safety issues faced in London and the UK: Cyclist Fatalities involving HGVs.

Adoption of CIRAS for its HGV subcontactors by TfL would pave the way for widespread adoption of Confidential Safety Reporting by HGV fleets working under contract to public authorities across the United Kingdom, a measure which is accepted best practice and already underpins a culture of safety on the railway.

This call on TfL is supported by the Save Our Cyclists petition which I help lead. We are campaigning for Confidential Safety Reporting to be rolled out to all HGV drivers and that needs a large organisation like TfL to demonstrate that this can be successfully implemented across a large fleet of HGVs.

It is only through the persistence and dedication of campaigners like Tom Kearney and his collaborators from TfL's Bus Operations, the Cycling Community and Transport Professionals that we can achieve the incremental victories which make the impossible achievable and give us hope for a future where avoidable road casualties are no longer a daily occurrence.

Extend CIRAS to TfL-contracted HGVs (including Crossrail) Now!

Fred Smith

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-our-cyclists

Clarie Hitier-Abadie, killed by Gordon Plant Hire HGV Working under Contract to TfL

 
References:

[1] http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/lorries-face-being-banned-from-turning-left-in-revolutionary-clampdown-aimed-at-preventing-cycle-a2924376.html

[2] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/higher-safety-standards-needed-for.html

Higher safety standards needed for lorries in London

Lorries in London pose an unacceptable risk to cyclists and pedestrians. A range of practical measures have been identified to improve safety through better design, operation and regulation. We must insist adoption of these measures as a high priority for the mayor and TfL.

Higher standards

The Construction Logistics and Cyclist Safety (CLOCS) standards were developed to reduce the high numbers of cyclists being killed by lorries from the construction industry. They note:

There is a particular issue in London and between 2008 and 2013, 55 per cent of cycling fatalities involved a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes, despite these vehicles representing just 4 per cent of the road miles travelled in the capital.

Analysis of the cycling figures found that a disproportionate number of the vehicles involved were construction related.

This year five of the seven lorries which killed cyclists were tipper trucks operated by the construction industry (the other two lorries were supplying the  retail industry).

While construction industry lorries pose a particularly high risk to vulnerable road users, in order to eliminate lorry deaths there will need to be safety improvements to all lorries on London's roads.

These standards, or equivalent, should be rolled out to cover coaches and lorries outside the construction industry. Compliance with these standards should also be made a mandatory requirement for companies working on public sector contracts in London

Confidential reporting of dangerous practice

Many industries use confidential reporting systems to improve their safety record - in fact the construction industry already has confidential reporting for structural safety. Following a concerted campaign the confidential reporting scheme CIRAS is being made available to bus drivers in London.

A confidential reporting scheme should be extended to all HGV drivers and become a mandatory part of the CLOCS standards for fleet operators. It should also be made available to drivers whether or not their employer wants to take part as the worst operators should not be able to avoid the measures which would make them accountable and prevent accidents.

Action needed to improve the safety of all lorries in the UK

The CTC are campaigning for improvements at a national level and you can read about their campaign for higher lorry standards and stronger enforcement nationally here.

Cyclist dies after crash at Ludgate Circus

Dear Friends,

At Ludgate Circus on Friday a cyclist was left fighting for her life after another incident with a left turning HGV [1, 2]. We have just learnt she has died of her injuries. In a similar incident in April at the same junction a cyclist was crushed to death under a HGV [3].

A colleague saw the aftermath and took this
photo of the bike flattened under the wheels

This junction is on the route of the proposed North-South Cycling Superhighway. If the superhighway is built these tragedies will not be repeated [4]. 

This is the superhighway Canary Wharf PLC have been campaigning against and want scrapped. 

Canary Wharf admitted to secretly briefing against the proposals. Peter Anderson is the finance director at Canary Wharf PLC, he is also the chair of the TfL finance committee which decides whether or not these the superhighway will be funded. Peter Anderson has declared no conflict of interest on the subject [5, 6]. It is this kind of lobbying that has prevented safe cycling infrastructure in the past.

We won over public opinion [7]. Now we must ensure the shady lobbying and conflicts of interest are stopped permanently. 

The London Assembly has powers to hold the Mayor and TfL to account and to investigate important issues. The members of the London Assembly are also answerable to us, their electorate. We must alert them so they can put a stop to this lobbying which is putting the lives of cyclists at risk.

Can you take a couple of minutes to write to your London Assembly Member to demand a stop to the shady lobbying against superhighway plans which will save lives?: http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/write-to-your-assembly-members.html

Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the cyclist who was fatally injured on Friday.

Thank you for your support,


Fred

---

Dates for the diary:
- 15th November will see a major road safety protest on Oxford Street, London: saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/15th-november-oxford-street-road-safety
- 16th November is the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims: http://www.roadpeace.org/remembering/world_day_of_remembrance/

References:
[1] www.standard.co.uk/news/london/woman-cyclist-in-hospital-after-being-crushed-by-lorry-at-notorious-ludgate-circus-9801791.html
[2] https://rosslydall.wordpress.com/2014/10/20/woman-cyclist-critically-injured-in-hgv-collision-dies-of-her-injuries/
[3]http://road.cc/content/news/133336-second-serious-cyclist-crash-year-ludgate-circus-sparks-demands-action
[4] https://twitter.com/AsEasyAsRiding/status/523089468266672128/photo/1
[5] http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/major-corporates-investor-londons.html
[6] http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/canary-wharf-finance-director-must.html
[7] www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/overwhelming-support-for-giving-up-more-road-space-to-cyclists-poll-reveals-as-londoners-back-cycle-superhighway-scheme-9800458.html

Boris' promises vs. his legacy

Boris is approaching the end of his time as mayor and we're starting to get an idea of which parts he will and won't deliver, however there's still a lot to play for. As Cyclists in the City has written, we need to make sure we get as many promises delivered as possible to ensure the step change for cycling in London isn't a false start. 

Some of the plans are due to be delivered under the next mayor who might not be supportive. We will need to keep campaigning to get the best for cycling and set a precedent for ambitious cycling schemes.

Cycling Superhighways

Mayor Watch report "Two cycle superhighways axed while third is pushed back until 2017".

Originally twelve Cycling Superhighways were planned, with four delivered (numbers 2, 3, 7, 8). Lack of protection for cyclists in the original designs means CS2 is being substantially revisited and all further plans are expected to be substantially segregated.

Proposals for largely segregated routes have been bought forward for CS5 and the North-South & East-West routes, which were not on the original announcement.

Darren Johnson AM (@DarrenJohnsonAM) asked several questions to check the progress of the remaining Cycling Superhighways, these revealed:

• CS1, Tottenham to Liverpool Street - consultation planned this year.
• CS4, Woolwich to Tower Bridge - consultation in winter 2015.
• CS6, Penge to City via Camberwell and Elephant & Castle - deleted from the programme.
• CS9, Hounslow to Hyde Park Corner - In July mayor was asked "Why has there been no apparent progress on taking forward the Hounslow Cycle Superhighway, despite it being 18 months since councillors agreed designs?" We now know this has been blocked by Kensington and Chelsea.
• CS10, Cricklewood to Marble Arch - proposal replaced by the East-West superhighway.
• CS11, Park Royal to Hyde Park Corner - consultation in spring 2015.
• CS12, Archway to Angel - deleted from the programme.

Dangerous Junction Reviews

Darren Johnson has questioned the mayor about the one hundred junctions they promised to review. Written response from the Mayor and Commissioner:

TfL remains fully committed to reviewing all the original 100 locations and making appropriate improvements at any junction where recommendations have been made as a result of this review. A phased review of junctions has commenced, with reviews at 70 junctions completed to date. TfL aims to complete the review process by the end of 2015.

In terms of outcomes being released they say:

If recommendations for improvements arise following the review process at each junction, they will be consulted on publicly and all responses considered before being progressed into detailed design and construction.

Which begs the question, of the 70 reviewed, how many need improvements in addition to the 33 previously identified?

Junction improvements

In February Boris promised to improve 33 of London's most dangerous junctions, as shown on the map below:



Boris has said ten of these will be delivered by May 2016, the schedule for the remaining 23 (including the notorious Bow Roundabout) has not been released but seems likely to be the responsibility of the next mayor.

Cycle Parking

In response to a question from Caroline Pidgeon the Mayor gave the following update:

In 2008, I committed to delivering an additional 66,000 cycle parking spaces between 2008-2012. This was delivered one year early, with 67,208 cycle parking spaces secured and delivered by TfL and its delivery partners by the end of March 2011.

They are now planning to install an additional 80'000 by 2016 and have installed 30'000 - which seems like an awful lot considering how little of it I see on the roads...

Cyclists turning left on red

Question No: 2014/2984 from Caroline Pidgeon:

On page 26 of your 2008 vision for transport, Way to Go, you stated that you would consider allowing cyclists to turn left at red lights, as is allowed in many other European cities. 

Written response from the Mayor and Commissioner:

Allowing cyclists to turn left on a red light at signal-controlled junctions would require a change in UK law. TfL has raised this with the Department of Transport, but we understand the Department has no current intention of exploring such a change. It has not been allowed in the draft revised Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (due for publication in 2015). 

TfL is therefore introducing other cycle-friendly innovations that can be introduced under current regulations.  This includes the provision of early starts for cyclists at signalised junctions and the provision of dedicated lanes for cyclists to bypass signals.  

Conclusions

Cycle Superhighways - FOUR dropped, two new routes added leaving us with ten. In addition, the delivery of several of these routes is going to be under the next mayor. But by the end of Boris' term we should have half the routes delivered (possibly more) and the remainder in the pipeline.

Safer Junctions: 100 reviewed, 33+ identified but only ten delivered.

Cycle parking: Boris met his target.

Looking forward to the election campaign for the next mayor we will need to be pushing candidates to commit to completing the Cycle Superhighways & Safer Junctions, as well as going forwards with their own cycling projects.

P.S. ACTION NEEDED!

Canary Wharf Group PLC have been secretly briefing against the Cycling Superhighways but they chair the Transport for London finance committee which decides whether these get funded.

If they get their way the Cycling Superhighways will be stalled or scrapped at the November meeting. I don't think they are likely to succeed but it isn't a chance we can take.

Write to your London Assembly Members to demand Canary Wharf employees are removed from their committees and have no chance to torpedo the plans: www.writetothem.com (once you input your postcode it gives you a list of people you can write to).

Notes:

• For an analysis of recent schemes see 'TfL - mixed progress on segregated cycling'.
• Much of this information comes from Q&As from the London Assembly collated by the Green Party Group. You can receive their emails by contacting Rachel.Carlill@london.gov.uk 
• The new information also revealed a segregated scheme for Kings Cross is being looked at for consultation next year!

Cyclists vs. Canary Wharf

The attempts by Canary Wharf Group to halt the Cycling Superhighways have been widely reported (here, here and here).

I don't think they will succeed.

They've started by shooting themselves in the foot with a secret briefing so full of holes you could use it as a sieve.

But more importantly cycling has a broad base of active & vocal supporters. We will get people on the streets, we will fill TfL's consultation mail-bag till it bursts and we will lobby politicians at every level.

They want to stop us (potentially) affecting their business. We want to stop them killing cyclists & pedestrians with motor transport. Who is going to dig deeper and fight harder?

This is our chance to make a change for a better London and to save lives.

This is about more than one scheme and it's about more than cycling. It is about everyone who has been put in danger by a motor vehicle, everyone who has a respiratory or cardiovascular condition, climate change, pedestrians, cyclists, parents worried about their children and everyone who hates the clutter/noise/smell of motor vehicles pervading London every day & night.

So while they're enjoying their weekend I'll be campaigning. Please spread the word on Facebook, Twitter and real life. Support the campaign for a safer, healthier, happier and more sustainable London.

CS2 plans, there's something missing

After a quick look, the new plans for CS2 generally look good and are a very significant improvement on the current situation. A majority of the route appears to be 2m wide segregated lanes which will be safe, convenient and likely to appeal to cyclists of all ages and abilities.

You can view the details & respond here: consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/cs2-upgrade

However on inspection of the plans there appear to be two huge omissions.

White Horse Lane to Bancroft Road - NOTHING

At this point the cycle lanes just merge in to the bus lane. This is simply not good enough & a huge let down on the scheme. The plans are here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/8b1b95ac

Google street view shows a large area of grass on one side of the road.

TfL need to buy that land and widen the road by a couple of metres so the segregated cycle lane can be carried through. In parallel they should work to offset the loss of green space either using their own land, in partnership with the local authority or by buying land. Doing nothing is not an option.

Bow Roundabout - NOTHING

It appears the reason the most dangerous and intimidating part of this route is missing is because they have not been able to finalise proposals. TfL have stated:

"We are working in partnership with the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham and other key stakeholders to deliver the Vision for Bow: to transform the Bow roundabout junction into a place which all road users will find accessible, safe and connected. We will consult on our proposals this winter."

The current situation is not safe for cyclists and there are no pedestrian facilities at all. A proposal which doesn't tackle the roundabout in the middle of CS2 is not enough. 

I was talking to an able bodied young lady at the London Velodrome (seeing off the night ride to Brighton for Challenge Cancer). She lives on one side of the roundabout and her local shops are on the other side. She said it felt intimidating and unsafe every time she had to dash across the road in between the traffic, especially when carrying shopping. If an able bodied adult feels that way, how can this be acceptable in a residential area with children, the elderly and disabled people?

We must demand the proposals include significant improvements to the roundabout for cycling and walking. At the very least means pedestrian lights & phases. These could be concurrent with cycling phases as the cyclists won't be going down the slip roads on to the A14. Some of the traffic islands might need to be enlarged to safely accommodate pedestrians.

What do you think?

Let us know your comments.

TfL - mixed progress on segregated cycling

Recent schemes bought forward by TfL have shown mixed progress on segregated cycling. While some schemes have failed to meet expectations, the new superhighways proposals are a big step forward and show the message is starting to get through.

This is our opportunity to keep up the pressure and ensure safe cycling is included in every scheme.

Segregated cycling is the number one issue our supporters care about, so please support the new superhighways (if you haven't already). But with some business lobby groups briefing against the proposals, we need to show cycling is good for business. Please also support a new initiative by asking your employer to show their support.

A summary of recent TfL schemes:

The GOOD

• The recent proposals for North-South and East-West cycle superhighways right through the centre of London are a major step forward. 
• Their plan for the Oval was described as 'fantastic'.
• TfL proposed a largely segregated route for CS5 south of the river.

These schemes show TfL are willing to make space for cycling & propose segregated lanes suitable for everyone on roads which are currently dangerous & intimidating.

The BAD

• Their Elephant & Castle (Northern roundabout) received criticism for half measures when it turned out they hadn't followed through on segregation, creating designed-in conflict which is inherently very dangerous for cyclists. 
• Their plan for Kings Cross was not good enough and failed to protect cyclists.

While at Elephant and Castle some attempt has been made, these schemes show that TfL still have problems following through promises to provide safe cycling.

The FUTURE

TfL are showing signs of change. We need to keep pushing to make sure we get safe and segregated cycling. Although members of the public have been supporting the new superhighways, big business groups have been opposing.

So please support a new campaign to set the record straight and ask your employer to take part.

Support needed for North-South & East-West superhighway proposals

This week TfL revealed proposals for North-South & East-West segregated superhighways through the centre of London. It's a major step forward with TfL giving space for cycling and proposing lanes suitable for everyone on roads which are currently dangerous & intimidating.

consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/eastwest
consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/northsouth

This sets a strong precedent and is also a major milestone cycle campaigning, BUT business and motoring groups are already lining up to shoot them down. We need to show our support to make sure they go ahead.

The plans have been reviewed in detail by aseasyasridingabike, which has a good summary of why we should support them. They're not perfect but they're one of the best and most ambitious plans we've seen, so we need to show our support as well as pointing out the parts which could be improved.

Please make sure you go support both proposals:
consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/eastwest/consultation
consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/northsouth/consultation

The key part to fill in is the 'Overall Proposals' section, if you want to comment on any of the specific sections of the schemes you can also do that. Finally click 'Finish' at the bottom & make sure you click 'Submit response' on the next page & you're done. Thanks!

23/09/14 update - 'Cycling Works' launched

Cycling Works is new initiative to get employers in London to support the new superhighways. Big business groups are trying to get the plans cancelled and we need to show that cycling is good for employees and good for employers. 

Ask your employer if they will join: http://cyclingworks.wordpress.com/take-action/

Further info:

• Cyclists in the City, detailing why we need to support this and who we're up against
• LCC blog post

What do you think about the North-South options?

The North-South has an option for one part being semi segregated which I feel is not as good as carrying their proposal for a fully segregated 2 way path all the way through. I don't think it makes sense to create an additional set of lights to swap half way down the road. However this is one which might divide opinions so please let me know what you think.