Greater London Authority Act 1999, section 142

The Mayor’s transport strategy

Part IV Transport

(1)The Mayor shall prepare and publish a document to be known as the transport strategy containing—

(a)his policies under section 141(1) above, and

(b)his proposals for discharging the duty under section 141(2) above.

(2)In addition to containing the proposals and policies required by subsection (1) above, the transport strategy—

(a)shall contain the Mayor’s proposals for the provision of transport which is accessible to persons with mobility problems,

(b)shall specify a timetable for the implementation of the proposals contained in the transport strategy by virtue of paragraph (a) above, and

(c)may contain any other proposals which he considers appropriate.

(3)Where the Mayor revises the transport strategy he shall publish it as revised.

(4)In preparing or revising the transport strategy the Mayor shall consult—

(a)the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, and

(b)such other persons or bodies which represent the interests of persons with mobility problems as he considers it appropriate to consult;

and this subsection is without prejudice to section 42 above.

(5)In this Act, references to the transport strategy include, except where the context otherwise requires, a reference to the transport strategy as revised.

Definitions used in section 142 2

Mayor

“Mayor” means Mayor of London (but see also section 85(3A) above) ;

Defined in s.424(1) · see it in the full Act
advisory committee

“advisory committee” and “advisory sub-committee”, in relation to the Assembly, shall be construed in accordance with section 55(4) and (5) above;

Defined in s.424(1) · see it in the full Act

Cases considering section 142 5

Independent Workers Union of Great Britain v The Mayor of London

[2020] EWCA Civ 1046 · 5 August 2020

Confirms the Mayor’s duty to prepare and publish a transport strategy, which supplied the statutory policy context for the charging scheme (see para [7]). Confirms that the transport strategy must contain the Mayor’s proposals for transport accessible to people with mobility problems (see para [7]). Confirms the statutory requirement to include accessible transport proposals in the Mayor’s transport strategy; this supported the legitimacy of maintaining wheelchair-accessible vehicles (see para [54]). Confirms the consultation obligation concerning people or bodies representing the interests of people with mobility problems, reinforcing the accessibility context (see para [54]).

United Trade Action Group Ltd & Anor, R (On the Application Of) v Transport for London & Anor

[2021] EWHC 72 (Admin) · 20 January 2021

The judgment identified the statutory requirement for the Mayor’s transport strategy to contain proposals for transport accessible to persons with mobility problems. This formed part of the statutory and policy context showing that accessibility impacts were material. (see paras [88], [139]-[147])

City of Westminster, R (On the Application Of) v Transport for London (TfL) & Ors

[2018] EWHC 2402 (Admin) · 13 September 2018Interprets

The provision requires publication of a transport strategy. The court treated the strategy as relevant context, but not as removing the need to consider the risk that required local consents might not be obtained (see paras [45], [65]).

What each judgment says about section 142 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Explanatory note

244.Section 142 requires the Mayor to prepare a transport strategy for London setting out his proposals for fulfilling the duty under section 141, including his proposals for providing transport for people with mobility problems and a timetable for implementing those proposals. The duty and the strategy will not be confined to those forms of transport for which the Mayor or TfL will be directly responsible. The duty encompasses all forms of transport, including walking, and does not apply only to users of transport who are resident in London. It covers the movement of goods as well as people.

245.Section 143 gives the Secretary of State a limited power to direct the Mayor to change the transport strategy. The Secretary of State will only be able to use this power where the strategy would be inconsistent with national policy and have an adverse effect outside Greater London. In accordance with section 144, London borough councils, the Common Council and any other statutory body exercising transport functions will be required to have regard to the strategy. The Mayor can issue guidance about the implementation of the strategy to other bodies that must also have regard to it.

246.The transport strategy will be subject to sections 41 to 44 of the Act, which make general provision for the preparation and publication of strategies. These include provisions on timing, the need to have regard to available resources and the persons to be consulted by the Mayor.

All the explanatory notes for the Act