The Transport Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 3 November 2026 to discuss the condition of Thames road bridges, the budget requirements for London TravelWatch for 2027-28, and the committee's work programme. The meeting will also include a review of actions taken under delegated authority and responses to previous committee outputs.

The Condition of Thames Road Bridges Five Years On

The committee is scheduled to receive background information regarding the condition of Thames road bridges five years after a previous report on the topic. The report notes that London's river crossings are facing increased pressure due to age, climate impacts, and underinvestment, with a significant number of bridges built in the 19th century not designed for current demands. Responsibility for bridge maintenance is divided between Transport for London (TfL), London boroughs, and the City Bridge Foundation. Since the committee's 2021 report, London's River Crossings: Bridging the Thames, several more bridges have experienced closures or traffic restrictions due to deteriorating conditions. TfL has stated a need for £1.1 to £1.2 billion annually for asset maintenance, with a current backlog of £6.5 billion in capital renewals, of which almost £1.1 billion is for road network structures. Invited guests for this discussion include Simon Lathan, Managing Director of the City Bridge Foundation, and Andrew Burton, Director of Highway & Regulatory Services for the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

London TravelWatch Assembly Budget Requirements 2027-28

The committee is asked to consider and agree a proposed additional budget allocation for London TravelWatch for the 2027-28 financial year. The report indicates that London TravelWatch's budget has remained flat for the past five years, with increases only reflecting staff pay awards. Despite cost-saving measures, including reductions in office rental and IT costs, the current funding is significantly below 2008 levels in real terms. With increased transport demand post-pandemic and significant rail reform underway, London TravelWatch's workload has increased, limiting its ability to redeploy resources internally. The proposed increase of £151,000 would be funded by a request to the Mayor for an additional £81,000 to the Assembly's allocation and £70,000 from Assembly reserves. This additional funding would support the creation of a new permanent post within the Campaigns and Advocacy team and a part-time contracted corporate support role, as well as facilitate a salary adjustment for the Chief Executive.

Transport Committee Work Programme

The committee is scheduled to note its work programme for the 2026/27 Assembly year. The work programme outlines the topics for future meetings, including discussions on the state of London's river crossings, bridges, tunnels, and flyovers, as well as the London TravelWatch Business Plan on 1 December 2026. Subsequent meetings in early 2027 are scheduled to focus on the topic of Driven to Distraction, followed by a question and answer session with the Deputy Mayor and Transport for London Commissioner.

Other Agenda Items

The committee will also receive apologies for absence and any announcements from the Chair. It will review declarations of interests, confirm the minutes from the previous meeting held on 8 October 2026, and note a summary list of actions arising from previous meetings. Additionally, the committee will note recent actions taken under delegated authority by the Chair, including the agreement of a report on autonomous transport and a letter to the Mayor regarding the draft London Plan. Finally, the committee will note the response received from the Minister for Roads concerning Transport for London's submissions to the Government's Structures Fund.