An efficient transport infrastructure is essential for a successful global city; London is often criticised for its creaking transport system, but are things changing?

TfL is to invest £10 billion by 2010 with The Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Heathrow’s new Terminal 5 and the East London line extension all due to be up and running by the end of the decade. But will Crossrail get its funding? Can initiatives to encourage walking and cycling reduce pressure on buses and tubes? Is an extension to the Congestion Charge and a city-wide road pricing system the answer? This insight examines the way in which London moves is being transformed.

We Londoners are a stoic lot. We possess a trait much praised in the face of blitz or bombs but which does not serve us so well asa response to problems of moving round the city: the cattle truck conditions that commuters bear grimly day after day, or the life-threatening environment we encourage cyclists to travel in.

We don't complain enough when infrastructure like Crossrail and Thameslink, which are vital for the capital's (and the country's) economic health, as well as our sanity, are delayed time and time again, the decision lying in a Parliament that annually drains London's coffers to the benefit of the regions.We are better, though, at stopping things: the West LondonTram proposals are unlikely to happen because of local resistance and proposals for a third airport at Heathrow will be met with a storm of protest.

After decades of under-investment in the capital's transport system the tide is turning; Transport for London (TfL) is spending £10 billion on improvements by 2010 and billions more will be spent by the private sector. Even more will have to be invested in the next decade if all the plans shown here are to be accomplished. The insight illustrates how the money is to be spent and assesses how likely each project is to be realised. But we need to be vigilant to make sure that they are.

An analysis of schemes and future developments in London's transport system is provided in the following areas:

Issues
An overview of the challenges currently faced by London's transport projects.

Conclusion
Presenting some solutions to the above mentioned challenges.

Published November 2006
75 Pages