Lorry crack down for London a timely announcement says CTC

Sadly the announcement came as another cyclist died after a collision with a lorry, this time in West Dulwich.
CTC and other groups have long been calling for a tougher approach on lorries, so moves to tackle the disproportionate risk that these vehicles pose to cyclists in the capital are particularly welcome.
The commitments outlined today include the establishment of a new task force that will be able to take direct action against dangerous HGVs; calling on the EU to speed up its review on lorry design to make it easier for drivers to see cyclists and pedestrians; and a look at levying a ‘safer lorry charge’ on any HGV which is not fitted with basic safety equipment to protect cyclists.
Roger Geffen CTC’s Policy Director said “It’s also reassuring to see that exemplary interaction between lorry drivers and cyclists will be promoted by working with cycle trainers and the freight industry – the more drivers who are trained in cycle awareness, the more likely they will be to understand cyclists’ manoeuvres and to interact with them safely.
It’s good to see the DfT and the Mayor taking steps to deal with the threat that lorries pose to cyclists in London. The cycling boom in the city is impressive – it deserves a sustained political commitment, and the funding to match, to make conditions as safe as they possible can be.”
The Department for Transport (DfT) also intends to review the current regulations that exempt some construction and waste carrying lorries from being fitted with side guards designed to stop cyclists and pedestrians from being dragged underneath the vehicle in the event of a collision.
CTC also wants to see officials seriously consider other measures that could reduce the number of cyclists’ lives ragically lost in collision with lorries. These include bans on lorry traffic in busy urban areas. Our briefing on Goods Vehicles looks at this and the full range of options to tackle the lorry risk in more detail.