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| Lorries could be banned from city streets to make them safer for cyclists | Lorries could be banned from city streets to make them safer for cyclists |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Government is looking at restricting lorries in inner-city areas to improve the safety of roads for people on bikes and pedestrians. | The Government is looking at restricting lorries in inner-city areas to improve the safety of roads for people on bikes and pedestrians. |
| David Cameron is said to have asked officials at the Department for Transport to examine whether some form of lorry ban would be feasible after a meeting with concerned MPs. | David Cameron is said to have asked officials at the Department for Transport to examine whether some form of lorry ban would be feasible after a meeting with concerned MPs. |
| Other measures the Department for Transport will be asked to examine include staggered light phasing at junctions, design improvements for construction trade vehicles, and changes to road design. | Other measures the Department for Transport will be asked to examine include staggered light phasing at junctions, design improvements for construction trade vehicles, and changes to road design. |
| Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston, who chairs the Health Select Committee, said there was a case for restricting lorries based on past casualties. | Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston, who chairs the Health Select Committee, said there was a case for restricting lorries based on past casualties. |
| "Six out of seven of the deaths in London have been women killed by construction lorries at junctions,” she said. | "Six out of seven of the deaths in London have been women killed by construction lorries at junctions,” she said. |
| “It's so important that women are not deterred from cycling on safety grounds and there is far more that can be done to reduce the risks.” | “It's so important that women are not deterred from cycling on safety grounds and there is far more that can be done to reduce the risks.” |
| HGVs are particularly dangerous for people on bikes because they are designed with a number of blind spots that make it difficult for drivers to see the area around the cab. | HGVs are particularly dangerous for people on bikes because they are designed with a number of blind spots that make it difficult for drivers to see the area around the cab. |
| A disproportionate number of cycle fatalities involve the vehicles; between 2008 and 2012 lorries were involved in 53 per cent of London cyclist deaths. | |
| Mayor of London Boris Johnson previously looked at imposing a rush-hour lorry ban in London in 2013 but rejected the proposal. He said there was a danger that restrictions could simply lead to casualties being pushed outside the restricted hours. | Mayor of London Boris Johnson previously looked at imposing a rush-hour lorry ban in London in 2013 but rejected the proposal. He said there was a danger that restrictions could simply lead to casualties being pushed outside the restricted hours. |
| Other major European cities like Paris and Dublin have banned lorries at rush hour as a safety measure. Segregated cycle lanes and more reliable infrastructure are also standard methods of keeping people on bikes safe. | Other major European cities like Paris and Dublin have banned lorries at rush hour as a safety measure. Segregated cycle lanes and more reliable infrastructure are also standard methods of keeping people on bikes safe. |
| Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said the PM had been receptive to ideas during his meeting with the MPs, who are members of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cycling. | Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said the PM had been receptive to ideas during his meeting with the MPs, who are members of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cycling. |
| “Our major cities have a lamentable record both for levels of cycling and for cycle safety compared to those of our European neighbours, and it would take very little public investment to make a big improvement in the climate for cycling,” he said. | “Our major cities have a lamentable record both for levels of cycling and for cycle safety compared to those of our European neighbours, and it would take very little public investment to make a big improvement in the climate for cycling,” he said. |
| “Following our meeting today, we will be meeting with the Transport Secretary to discuss the issues in more detail.” | “Following our meeting today, we will be meeting with the Transport Secretary to discuss the issues in more detail.” |
| The push by the MPs comes after a series of high profile deaths in London of people cycling. Mass protests, including so-called 'die-ins' have been held to draw attention to the issue. | The push by the MPs comes after a series of high profile deaths in London of people cycling. Mass protests, including so-called 'die-ins' have been held to draw attention to the issue. |