Data released this week shows that deaths and serious injuries on the City of London’s streets have fallen to their lowest level since records began.

The City of London Corporation is committed to the Vision Zero goal of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries on our streets by 2040, working with the City of London Police and emergency services, Transport for London and City workers, visitors and residents.

During 2021, there were 39 people seriously injured and one person killed on City streets, down from 41 serious injuries the year before.

The last two years (2020 and 2021) have seen lower numbers of serious injuries, in part due to a reduction in travel during the pandemic. In 2018, there were 82 serious injuries recorded, with 76 recorded in 2019.

Walking is by far the main mode of travel within the City, with over 750,000 journeys walked per day.

The City Corporation is implementing a three-year Pedestrian Priority Programme, from 2021 to 2024, to enhance the comfort and safety of people walking in the Square Mile.

Other schemes to deliver safer streets include:

• Charterhouse School Street, closing part of Charterhouse Square to motor vehicles during the start and finish times of the school day to improve safety for children walking and cycling
• CityMark programme to improve monitoring of vehicle standard compliance at construction sites
• St Paul’s Gyratory scheme to transform an uninviting road and improve safety for people walking and cycling
• All Change at Bank project delivering further improvements at Bank junction to reduce casualties by simplifying the junction and reducing crowding

The City Corporation plans to publish a Vision Zero Delivery Plan later this year to further demonstrate its commitment and provide additional detail of the programme to prevent deaths and serious injuries.

Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, Shravan Joshi, said:

“Deaths and serious injuries on City streets are not inevitable. We must act together to put an end to these tragic accidents and deliver on Vision Zero.

“The challenge is now to sustain the reduction in these incidents seen during the pandemic, as the Square Mile’s recovery gathers pace and more people are travelling to and from the City.

“The City Corporation is working to prevent these avoidable tragedies by making our streets safer for people walking and cycling while reducing motor traffic and speeds. I urge everyone to act responsibly and keep our streets safe for everyone.”

Inspector Myles Hilbery, from the Roads Policing Unit at the City of London Police, said:

“To achieve the aims of Vision Zero, both enforcement and engagement are crucial.

“Whilst we will be cracking down on drivers who do not comply with the law and put members of the public at risk, it is vital that we also educate people on what they are doing wrong.

“This engagement is often the most effective tool in preventing repeat offences, making our roads safer for all.”

Head of Insights and Direction for TfL, Stuart Reid, said:

“It’s very encouraging to see deaths and serious injuries on the City of London’s streets fall to their lowest level since records began.

“It shouldn’t be the case that anyone is killed or seriously injured on London’s streets.

“I’m very pleased that the City of London Corporation is committing to the Vision Zero goal and look forward to working with them to make our shared vision a reality, and ensure we eliminate death and serious injury from London’s roads.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

The Transport Strategy, adopted in May 2019, sets out how the City Corporation proposes to design and manage the City’s streets to ensure the Square Mile remains a great place to live, work, study and visit. https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/streets/transport-strategy

The Mayor of London’s Vision Zero objective is to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads by 2041. https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/safety-and-security/road-safety/vision-zero-for-london

Image credit: Clive Totman, 2021

For media enquiries, please contact: 

Ellen Fouweather, Media and Stakeholder Officer (Major Programmes)

ellen.fouweather@cityoflondon.gov.uk

07510382456