![London Collisions Map [TfL]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/London-Collisions-Map.jpg?resize=1245%2C827&ssl=1)
Mayor’s ‘Vision Zero’ road safety plan
On 13th March 2026 the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) launched an updated ‘Vision Zero’ plan to significantly reduce road danger and prevent deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads over the next five years.
TfL is considering how to tackle the safety issues posed by oversized cars such as SUVs, which are increasingly common on London’s roads and more likely to cause deaths or serious injuries in collisions and are too wide for existing parking infrastructure. New car tax fees for them are possible.
Demo on affordable housing crisis
National Planning Policy Framework consultation response
We’ve responded to the December 2025 NPPF consultation, which closed on 12th March 2026. This substantial piece of work, contributed to by many subject matter experts, is posted in the ‘what we’ve said‘ archive as usual, and directly linked below for your convenience. It is now fully indexed for searching too.
We are critical of some of the new decision making policies.
Densifying the Suburbs – A presenter’s Insight
Our President, Ben Derbyshire, provides his Insights into our recent Densifying the Suburbs event.
I welcomed the invitation to speak at an open meeting of the Forum, ‘Densifying the Suburbs’ alongside Professor Tony Travers of UCL and local planners, Paul Lewin and Justin Carr from Waltham Forest and Brent councils respectively. My challenge – most people who have time to participate in their local civic societies will already be well housed, so what, I asked, should be our [more…]
![West London Orbital - proposed [Image: TfL]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/West-London-Orbital-TfL-1.jpg?resize=1280%2C1410&ssl=1)
West London Orbital
A post on the IanVisits website explains how the West London Orbital could run up to six trains an hour and provide ten new interchanges with rail and Underground services, alongside four new stations at Old Oak Common Lane, Neasden, Harlesden and Lionel Road, while some existing stations along the route would be upgraded to accommodate the new service. Funds have been allocated for the next stage of planning.
The project’s backers say the new rail link could support the construction of more than 25,000 homes and 11,500 jobs.
![Live Music [ Photo by Thibault Trillet, Pexels.com ]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/pexels-thibault-trillet-44912-167636.jpg?resize=1280%2C848&ssl=1)
Pubs and live music venues : Business rates relief
On 27 January 2026, the Government announced that eligible pubs and live music venues in England will receive a 15% reduction on their business rates bills for the 2026/27 financial year and the bills will be frozen in real terms in 2027/28 and 2028/29.
Guidance for local authorities in administrating the relief has been published.
It will be for individual local billing authorities to adopt a local scheme and determine in each individual case when, having regard to this guidance, to grant relief.
The guidance gives definitions of the venues that [more…]
Funding for ailing High Streets
High streets with boarded up shop fronts and lacking essentials such as butchers, grocers and bakeries could benefit from a Government £150 million cash injection.
More details on the High Streets Strategy, including how funding will be allocated to specific places, will be announced in the coming months.
The loss of the last pub in an area will be banned to prevent the loss of the last community facility of that kind.
There will be rules to tackle the proliferation of betting shops on high streets.
We’re holding an Open Meeting to address [more…]
Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter
A recent newsletter by Chief Planner, Joanna Averley, in MHCLG to local authorities’ planning officer is here.
It covers:-
- Design and Placemaking PPG out now for consultation
- Resetting the S106 system and roadmap for S106 delivery in England.
- Apply now for the 2026 Housing Design Awards.
- New guidance and tools by PAS to improve Infrastructure Delivery Plans.
- Working with National Highways to deliver a vision-led approach to Local Plans.
The consultation on the PPG runs until 10th March, the same date as the consultation on the draft new NPPF.
Bus network is in decline
There was an article in TheLondoner on how London’s once world-beating bus network has been in decline for a decade and TfL has lost a quarter of its passengers and their payments.
A report by London Forum’s transport expert, Andrew Bosi, on the background to those trends will be published shortly.
London Forum’s members may also wish to subscribe to TheLondoner.
Overground improvements
In the website here it is reported that the Overground operates as a concession, in which TfL sets fares, procures rolling stock, and decides service levels. Next May, it will be managed by First Rail London (FRLL), a subsidiary of FirstGroup PLC.
From then, there will be extra peak-time trains on the Mildmay line, with shuttle services between Clapham Junction and Shepherd’s Bush during peak hours.
From December 2026, the Windrush line services through the core section will increase to 18 trains per hour.
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How to petition Parliament
Old Kent Road development – update
High Value Council Tax Surcharge
![BID's in London [image: LSE]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/BIDs.png?fit=1024%2C738&ssl=1)
What are BIDs doing for Town Centres in Central and Outer London?
Earlier this year, London Forum organised a very interesting open meeting with members about the state of London’s High Streets and the night-time economy. One of the presenters was [more…]
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How Effective is Planning Enforcement?
📆 Mon 29th June | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
How can we make it work better? Planning enforcement is important. Unless it’s done effectively, the integrity of the whole planning system is put at risk. But it’s one of the most frustrating issues for civic societies and local community groups. We’ll discuss this and related issues at this Open Meeting on 29th June. Please book here ( https://www.londonforum.org.uk/events/how-effective-is-planning-enforcement#booking ) Cases typically include: Large developments that grossly fail to meet planning conditions or even submitted drawings and plans; Illegal demolitions; Unauthorised residential alterations and extensions; Additional floors…