Proposals by the mayor of London to smooth traffic flow would need to be coupled with variable-road charging in order to reduce traffic levels, according to leading transport experts.

A shake-up of the congestion charge and a review of the London bus network were among recommendations made last week to be included in Boris Johnson’s forthcoming transport strategy. Professor Ben Heydecker, head of transport studies at University College London, said Johnson made some ‘good points’ on smoothing traffic flow in his Way to go! vision document, ‘such as providing additional “green time” at traffic lights’.

But, while such measures might reduce congestion, they would likely increase traffic levels without management, he said. He advocated ‘time of day’ charging as a better way of managing peak traffic flow, and dismissed the efficacy of the congestion charge in its current form. ‘Strictly speaking, the congestion charge is not a charge but a supplementary licence,’ he told the London Assembly transport committee.

However, he suggested the mayor was wrong to remove the western extension of the congestion charge. ‘Pricing should remain in the frame, either in the form of a time-of-day charge or by the amount of usage.’ Heydecker also backed Johnson’s pledge to better manage illegal parking and stopping, ‘which could have substantial benefits’.

Tam Parry, senior engineer at Atkins, called for a review of the bus network, proposing the removal of key routes entering central London, and implementing a circular route serving the centre.

The linear and circular routes could interchange smoothly, but it would require a new ticketing regime to avoid passengers having to pay more than once when changing buses, he said. Cllr Irwin Van Colle, spokesman for London Councils’ transport and environment committee, agreed that the network ‘should become more orbital’.

Johnson was widely urged to invest more in outer boroughs. ‘If we don’t have trams, we need a more tram-like service of buses,’ Heydecker said.

Carl Pittman, London director for Sustrans, and Headicar, called for more cycling focus in outer London, as well as more provision for children and non-commuter cyclists. ‘Cycling, so far, has catered to a particular demographic, while child cycling has seen a fall in numbers’. He called for more ‘greenways’ for beginner cyclists, while Heydecker recommended advance ‘go time’ for cyclists at junctions, of about 10 seconds. The mayor’s draft transport strategy is due publication in April.