London, the vibrant heart of the United Kingdom, has earned an unenviable title. It’s now the world’s slowest city for drivers. This startling revelation has triggered a wave of anger, with the city’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, bearing the brunt of the criticism.
According to Express, the data, courtesy of location technology firm TomTom, reveals that a 10-kilometer journey in central London averaged 37 minutes and 20 seconds last year. Among 387 cities across 55 countries analyzed, London topped the slow city centre ranking for the second year running.
The primary culprit behind this sluggishness is the widespread 20mph speed limits throughout the city. These limits, significantly lower than the maximum speed limits of 50mph or higher in most city centres, have been lambasted.
Stephanie Leonard, TomTom’s head of government and regulatory affairs, pointed out that London’s infrastructure simply doesn’t support fast driving.
Conservative politician Susan Hall has been particularly vocal in her criticism of Mayor Khan. She accuses him of launching a “war on motorists”. According to Hall, Khan’s policies have gridlocked the city’s roads, making London the worst city in the world for driving.
Hall’s criticisms extend beyond the slow traffic. She also accuses Khan of using new tolls to fill the gap in Transport for London’s finances and target drivers.
In response to these accusations, a representative of Mayor Khan labelled the study as “misleading”. A source close to Khan dismissed the criticisms as “utter hypocrisy” from the Conservative party.
Khan himself has defended his policies in the past, arguing that they are grounded in widely accepted science and are crucial for improving the city’s air quality.
Despite the controversy, it’s clear that London’s slow traffic isn’t just a local issue. The city outpaced 386 other cities across 55 countries to win the dubious honour of being the world’s slowest city for drivers.
Other cities with slow traffic include Dublin, Toronto, Milan, and Lima. In the UK, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, and Edinburgh also have slow city centres, but none are as slow as London
The slow traffic in London has economic implications as well. TomTom’s study noted that London had the world’s third highest fuel prices last year.
The company’s analysis of the economic impact of congestion showed that London’s slow-moving traffic and high fuel prices could cost Londoners up to £187 a year in fuel costs.
London’s status as the world’s slowest city for drivers has sparked a heated debate. While some blame Mayor Sadiq Khan’s policies for the city’s traffic woes, others argue that these measures are necessary for improving air quality and public health.
Regardless of where one stands on the issue, it’s clear that London’s traffic problem is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and thoughtful solutions.
