Mayor coy on airport plans

Valerie Shawcross AM asked why there was no mention of the proposed airport in the Mayor's report, to which he said: "It's far too early to say anything, I have no desire to build such an airport, it was just a feasibility study to explore every avenue."

The Mayor went on to emphasise his objections to a third runway at Heathrow.

The committee's main line of questioning focused on the emphasis to get Londoners cycling, CO2 emissions and transport connections to the outer-London boroughs.

Caroline Pidgeon AM, chair of the committee, asked the Mayor to detail his personal involvement with the plan and his satisfaction with the end result, the Mayor admitted that unlike his previous Way To Go plans he had not written the strategy personally, but he said: "I am more than content with it. I am super uber content, a state bordering on rapture."

The strategy outlines plans to introduce more sustainable public transport, combined with an education program to encourage cycling and walking and an uptake of new technology that will bring a 25-30 per cent reduction in PM10 emissions, a 50-55 per cent reduction in NOx emissions by 2015 and a 30 per cent reduction on CO2 emissions by 2031.

The strategy also outlines proposals to introduce 25,000 new electric vehicle charge points across London to give drivers a more viable option in choosing environmentally friendly vehicles.

The Mayor's cycling revolution will continue with the improving of infrastructure, secure cycle parking and new cycle routes. He has also proposed a Cycle Hire Scheme which will provide around 6,000 bicycles at 24-hour cycle stations every 300 metres in Central London.

The Mayor highlighted Crossrail as an integral part of improving transport connections to the outer-boroughs, alongside the completion of the East London Line extension next year, continuing development of the DLR, a possible extension of the Bakerloo line further south, Thameslink enhancements and the continuing upgrades to the Tube network.

The mayor's ambition is that these projects, alongside making better use of the Thames, will reduce over crowding on public transport by 40 per cent despite the increases in population and employment that London will face during the life span of the strategy.

Peter Hendy, commissioner of Transport for London, present at the meeting, admitted that Crossrail was not being constructed in the fastest manner, but in the most cost effective manner.