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Lorries face London ban 'to protect cyclists' Lorries face London ban 'to protect cyclists'
(about 2 hours later)
Thousands of lorries could be banned from London to make the roads safer for cyclists, under plans proposed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.Thousands of lorries could be banned from London to make the roads safer for cyclists, under plans proposed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
He wants a rating system from zero to five stars for heavy goods vehicles based on the driver's level of vision from the cab. He wants a rating system from zero to five stars for heavy goods vehicles based on the driver's level of vision from the cab.
The 35,000 zero star-rated HGVs currently operating in London would be banned by 2020 under the proposals. Under the proposals 35,000 zero star-rated HGVs currently operating in London would be banned by 2020.
The Road Haulage Association accused the mayor of "demonising lorries".The Road Haulage Association accused the mayor of "demonising lorries".
More on this story and other news from LondonMore on this story and other news from London
Only those lorries with a rating of at least three stars would be allowed on London's roads by 2024. Only those lorries with a rating of at least three stars would be allowed in to the city by 2024.
'Further heartbreak''Further heartbreak'
Nine cyclists and 66 pedestrians were killed in the capital last year, according to Transport for London.Nine cyclists and 66 pedestrians were killed in the capital last year, according to Transport for London.
The mayor's office said that over the past two years HGVs were involved in 23% of pedestrian fatalities and 58% of cyclist deaths in London, despite accounting for just 4% of the miles driven in the city. In the past two years HGVs were involved in 23% of pedestrian fatalities and 58% of cyclist deaths in London, despite accounting for just 4% of the miles driven in the city, the mayor's office said.
Mr Khan claimed the scheme would result in many lorries being upgraded before the ban comes into place. Mr Khan claimed many lorries would be upgraded before the ban comes into place.
He said: "I'm not prepared to stand by and let dangerous lorries continue to cause further heartbreak and tragedy on London's roads.He said: "I'm not prepared to stand by and let dangerous lorries continue to cause further heartbreak and tragedy on London's roads.
"The evidence is clear - HGVs have been directly involved in over half of cycling fatalities over the last two years, and we must take bold action to make our roads safer for both cyclists and pedestrians." But the Road Haulage Association's chief executive Richard Burnett believes the proposal is an "imposition of unnecessary rules on haulage firms".
But the Road Haulage Association's chief executive Richard Burnett said that the "imposition of unnecessary rules on haulage firms is unfair". He said: "Demonising lorries is unfair. Lorries, including construction vehicles, play a vital part in the economic life of London. Without them the capital's businesses would grind to a standstill."
He said: "Demonising lorries, which keep the economy and shops going, is unfair. Lorries, including construction vehicles, play a vital part in the economic life of London. In January former mayor Boris Johnson proposed for all lorries to have a new side window so drivers can better see pedestrians and cyclists.
"Without them the capital's businesses would grind to a standstill." His cycling commissioner, Andrew Gilligan, said that idea was cheaper and quicker to implement than Mr Khan's, adding cyclists "will pay the price" of HGV operators not being required to make any improvements for three years.