LONDON, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have called on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to establish a temporary river commission to explore how to make better use of the River Thames as a transport network.
LCCI said such a body could have a brief to look at greater moving of freight and construction material by river thereby helping to ease congestion on the capital's roads.
The call was made as part of LCCI's response to the Mayor's Transport Strategy which proposes to move more freight off London's streets and onto the River Thames.
CEO of LCCI Colin Stanbridge said: "Transport for London is already working with Network Rail and the Port of London Authority to move freight off the streets and a River Commission could take this work to the next level, inviting views from interested parties."
LCCI believes that a River Commission could operate within an agreed time remit, taking evidence from all interested parties and producing a final report of practical recommendations.
A statement from the Chamber said: "Currently 90 percent of all freight in the capital is moved by road although some major construction projects have already made use of the river, demonstrating further possibilities."
These include Crossrail which has seen more than 3 million tonnes of excavated material taken away by river, saving half a million truck trips on London's roads.
The call comes as Londoners get used to tough pollution tax, which means that the most polluting vehicles now have to pay 21.50 pounds, or just over 28 U.S. dollars, to enter the central London congestion charge zone.
