Thursday 14 July 2016

Doesn't that just cause more pollution somewhere else?

From The Daily Mail:

Oxford Street will be pedestrianised by 2020, the Mayor of London's office has announced.

The plan is part of new mayor Sadiq Khan's commitment to tackle air pollution in the England's capital city.

Cars are already banned on most of Oxford Street between 7am and 7pm on every day apart from Sunday, but it is a major thoroughfare for buses and taxis.


I'm a big fan of pedestrian precincts and it's quicker walking or taking the Tube than taking the 'bus in central London anywyay, but assuming that buses are currently taking the shortest/least slow route from A to B via Oxford St, won't diverting them via a different route just cause more air pollution, not less? So is this just a meaningless political gesture or does it actually make sense?

9 comments:

Steven_L said...

IT's not meaningless if you own Oxford St property. I'd have thought it'll lead to even more footfall and even higher rents.

Mark Wadsworth said...

SL, that's as maybe - they are already getting a super boost from Crossrail, but doesn't answer the actual question...

Dinero said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dinero said...

Literally speaking Oxford Street can't be pedestrianized. The Oxford Street can be abolished and in the place where previously Oxford street was , a pedestrian precinct can be created but Oxford street can't be turned into a pedestrianised oxford street as a street is a thoroughfare route from one place to another.

Bayard said...

It depends on how many taxis and buses are using Oxford St as a through route and how many are actually serving Oxford St. Obviously, if buses and taxis can no longer serve Oxford St by being banned (leaving aside the major inconvenience this will cause), then fewer will be in the area causing pollution.

Steven_L said...

But you asked if it makes sense. I does make political sense for Labour to start sucking up to money now they have the power to do so again.

dustybloke said...

It's an idea by a politician.

It's an idea by a newly elected politician.

That politician is Sadiq Khan.

So, no, it's not possible that it makes an iota of sense.

benj said...

Similar to Western energy policy, whereby high prices exports heavy industry to China, and they then all congratulate themselves for reducing pollution in their own Countries.


Bayard said...

Of course, if the buses and taxis are removed from Oxford St, there would be space to bring back the trams.