The Transport Committee of the Greater London Authority Council met on Tuesday 8 September 2026 to discuss the Draft London Plan, focusing on transport infrastructure requirements, the Sustainable Access Measure (SAM), safeguarding industrial land, and car clubs. Key discussions revolved around ensuring new developments are adequately supported by transport infrastructure, the effectiveness and inclusivity of the SAM metric, and the future of industrial land and car club provisions within the Plan.

Sustainable Access Measure (SAM) and Transport Infrastructure

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Sustainable Access Measure (SAM), a new tool designed to assess transport connectivity and guide housing density in well-connected areas. Concerns were raised about SAM's potential to exacerbate congestion and crowding around existing transport hubs, and whether it adequately accounts for the needs of all Londoners, particularly disabled individuals. While TfL officials stated that SAM aims to support modal shift and sustainable growth, they acknowledged that it is a tool to guide density to the best-connected locations and that other strategies are needed to achieve the overall 80% modal shift target.

Discussions also covered the critical need for transport infrastructure investment to support housing targets, with a focus on the DLR extension to Thamesmead as a key project. The Committee heard that the housing targets in the Draft Plan assume existing transport plus the DLR and Great Northern Inners, and that delivering the higher target would require further, longer-term investment in projects like the West London Orbital and Bakerloo line extension. The use of Grampian conditions to link development to transport infrastructure delivery was also discussed.

Safeguarding Industrial Land

The Committee examined the Draft London Plan's approach to safeguarding industrial land. The new Plan continues to protect the majority of industrial land, recognising its importance for employment and the economy. However, it introduces a targeted approach to releasing some well-connected industrial land for housing, subject to strict criteria. This policy aims to balance the need for industrial land with the urgent requirement for new homes. Concerns were raised about potential reductions in industrial land in well-connected areas like Ealing, and the implications for freight movement, particularly the reliance on road transport if rail connections are lost. TfL officials stated that sites with strong freight connections, including rail and water freight, are generally excluded from release proposals.

Car Clubs and Electric Vehicle Charging

The provision of active charging for car club spaces and the policy of requiring these spaces to be on-street were debated. While TfL acknowledged the role of car clubs and supported their provision, concerns were raised that the on-street only policy could limit accessibility and desirability, potentially hindering their uptake. The Committee also inquired about the availability of electric charging for car club bays and potential competition rules that might prevent this. TfL committed to exploring these issues further and confirmed that car clubs are seen as a driver for electrification.

Accessibility and Other Issues

Accessibility was a recurring theme, particularly in relation to the SAM and the development of transformational gateways around major transport hubs. TfL committed to further engagement with disability organisations and to exploring the development of an accessibility-adjusted version of SAM. The Deputy Mayor reaffirmed the commitment to increasing step-free access across the Tube network, with a target of 50% of stations being step-free by 2030.

The Committee also received updates on the Central Line Improvement Programme, the status of Crossrail 2, and the ongoing challenges with the Gallows Corner flyover project. Discussions on autonomous vehicles highlighted concerns about safety, liability, potential impacts on congestion, and the need for robust regulation and data sharing. TfL's response to the Government's consultation on automated vehicles was also noted, emphasizing the need for devolved decision-making and a strong safety framework.

The meeting concluded with the Committee noting its work programme and the date of its next meeting.