In June Canary Wharf Group (CWG) commissioned Steer Davies Gleave to undertake a self-completion survey on the travel patterns of employees going to and coming from Canary Wharf. Since the last survey in 2001 employment at Canary Wharf has increased from 40,000 to 53,000. The survey confirms trends identified in previous surveys such as an increased use of public transport (now only 7% of commuters to the area use cars). There are now also more employees arriving from the east (a 5% shift on the Jubilee Line since 2001) and there is also a higher percentage of local residents working at Canary Wharf (39% live in The Thames Gateway). These reflect the estate policies of promoting public transport use as well as the employment of local residents.

The results in full, follow:

? 93% (89% in 2001) of employees typically use modes of transport other than cars to travel to work at Canary Wharf

? 7% of Canary Wharf employees travel to work by car, down from 11% in 2001: 6.4% (10%) as car drivers and 0.6% (1%) as car passengers. This varies from 2% in outer west London to 20% from south east of London reflecting the lack of public transport availability in that corridor.

? Canary Wharf employees living in Tower Hamlets has increased to 9.3% from 7.5% in 2001; employees living in all Docklands boroughs has increased to 25% (up from 21% in 2001 and 15% in 1997); employees living in all Thames Gateway boroughs has increased to 39% (up from 35% in 2001 and 28% in 1997)

? Employees using the Jubilee Line from the west have reduced from 42% in 2001 to 38% in 2003 reflecting the demographic shifts

? The proportion of respondents who arrive at Canary Wharf on the Jubilee Line has decreased to 46% from 48% while the proportion arriving on the DLR has increased to 38% from 32%

? The proportion of Jubilee Line users arriving from the West has reduced to 82% (87% in 2001)

? 71% of employees consider the overall service travelling into Canary Wharf to be adequate, good or improving.

The survey was distributed digitally between 9th – 20th June to every tenant at Canary Wharf as well as being distributed to the shops, bars and restaurants, so all 53,000 people that were working on the estate were given the opportunity to have their say.

Similar surveys were carried out in 1997, 1999 and 2001 which proved useful tools for discussion with bus and train operating companies. The data collected from the 2003 survey will help to inform the debate on further infrastructure investment in east London.

Howard Sheppard, Planning Advisor to Canary Wharf Limited, said:
“ The survey information is essential for the proper planning of transport in east London which is of critical importance to us all. Work is underway to increase capacity on the Jubilee Line by 45% and Transport for London is currently considering enhanced services on the DLR and improved bus services. Transport for London is also working with the SRA and Government on Crossrail which is planned to serve the Isle of Dogs. CWG is committed to improving access to the estate by all modes of transport, including the Underground, the DLR, by bus, walking, cycling and by car and this information is invaluable in helping us to do this.”

All returned surveys were entered into a prize draw for five prizes of £100 each.