Enceladus wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2019 03:30 I presume the only way to really address the M25 issue is high capacity, high speed rail and better integrated multi-modal transport solutions. And perhaps a partial outer Western orbital route connecting the M3 to the M40.
Can people be coaxed out of their cars if good quality, reliable rail systems are there as an alternative? I would like to think so but remain somewhat sceptical...
Can't wait to see that solving M25 congestion
By the time a motorway is as congested as the M25 SW quadrant it's virtually impossible to do anything for it with public transport. Most journeys can never be shifted (strategic, goods vehicles, shopping runs, families, rural origin/destination, etc) and the minority that can be will largely be replaced with new journeys, including from those previously making public transport distress purchases. Public transport investment will always run out before M25 suppressed demand.
Where there's the need, by all means build public transport infrastructure. Crossrail 1? Crossrail 2? Bring it on. More capacity and reduced journey times across London has got to be a good thing. But we should be realistic about what it can and can't achieve. Wishful thinking only gets us into HS2-style fiascos.