Embankment traffic harming 15,000 east London businesses, study warns
Heavy traffic on the Embankment is causing serious economic harm to east London businesses, a new study has warned.
Research by transport economists Volterra Partners revealed the removal of a traffic lane on the A3211, which runs between Westminster Bridge and Tower Hill, has significantly increased journey times.
Volterra partners said increased congestion has meant 15,000 east London businesses are no longer within a 30 minute drive of Westminster during the morning rush hour, rising to 18,000 businesses during the evening rush hour.
It said the increased travel time limits hiring options, increases delivery costs and is off-putting to investors.
A spokesperson for campaign group Unblock the Embankment, which commissioned the research, said: “This study provides clear evidence that this ill-thought through scheme is causing real economic damage to London.
“With Brexit looming, we need to improve traffic flow on this vital arterial road.”
In 2016 one of the two eastbound traffic lanes was removed to make way for a £47m cycle superhighway.
But the authors of the study said there is limited evidence to show the new cycle route has reduced the rate of accidents.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The Mayor believes that high-quality cycle routes like the one on the Embankment play a crucial role getting more people cycling, and in doing so improve Londoners’ health and quality of life.
“The report’s findings are in line with TfL’s modelling, and show that the main impact on journey times was during construction over two years ago.”