22 Jun West London Orbital top of London’s transport infrastructure needs

The Greater London Authority reaffirmed its commitment to the West London Orbital as “big ticket” priority transport infrastructure.

Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor of London for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, told delegates at the Capital West London Summit 2023, how City Hall was championing green growth with the aim of reaching net zero and doubling the size of the green economy by 2023.

He said: “I think the reduction or the reliance of the private car is inevitable. We need greater investment at national level in the provision of public transport. We’d like to see the West London Orbital delivered as a priority.

“It’s one of those unfunded schemes, mainly because it’s way beyond just TfL (Transport for London) funding. This is up there with the Bakerloo Line Extension, just behind the extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead and improving the infrastructure around Old Oak common [new HS2 railway station] which is absolutely essential.”

There are three key elements to City Hall’s green growth and decarbonisation approach, Mr Pipe added.

Firstly, “by adopting a cross cutting outlook to addressing the impacts of climate change and attracting the investment needed to future proof the capital against climate risks”. Mayor Sadiq Khan has just launched the London Climate Resilience Review to identify where London can better utilise technology, AI for example, to adapt to climate change.

The second pillar is about supporting businesses to decarbonise and manage their transition to net zero through initiatives such as the London Business Climate Hub and the Business Climate Challenge which provides technical support.

The third point of the plan is investment in skills to address the “huge under-representation” of Londoners in critical sectors. The capital’s residents are gaining necessary skills through schemes funded by City Hall’s annual £320m adult education budget – 10% of which is invested in green skills.

Last year the mayor launched his £44m skills academies programme to deliver high quality training in key sectors, including green, and to support 13,000 Londoners into good jobs.

In West London, the green academy hub has been established at West London College with partners including West London Business.

Mr Pipe said: “We must continue working in partnership, to attract the investment needed to help London decarbonise and invest in the skills that are key to delivering good growth and London’s goal of net zero by 2030. I hope that the discussions at today’s great summit will help us further along that journey.”