The Transport Committee has called for the mandatory roll out of TfL's Safer Lorry Scheme across the UK, as part of  a raft of measures aimed at improving road and cyclist safety.

It makes the recommendation in its latest Road Traffic Law Enforcement report, published today.

The committee pointed to latest road safety statistics to back its recommendations. These show that UK road fatalities rose by 4% in 2014. It also stated its “particular concern” at the increase in cyclist injuries, up 8.2% in 2014, which outstrips the rise in cycle traffic which rose 3.8% in the same period.

Referring to statistics that show HGVs are “over-represented” in fatal incidents involving cyclists, the committee recommended the DfT assess the impact of TFL’s London’s Safer Lorry Scheme and lobby the EU to make it mandatory across Europe, if it is found to have reduced cyclist and pedestrian casualties in London.

The committee said London cyclists and pedestrians could also benefit from HGVs being restricted in central London during rush hour, and recommended the DfT “evaluate the effect of such policies” on cyclists and pedestrians and on road haulage operators to ensure a balanced strategy.

Further recommendations also urge the government to consider tougher penalties for HGV driving offences, a reduction in the 60mph HGV speed limit, the restriction of lorries in central London during rush hour and greater monitoring of foreign-registered trucks when in the UK.

A spokeswoman for the RHA said: “If the Safer Lorry Scheme can be shown to be a cost-effective way of  reducing accidents, death and injury, it will be attractive. At the moment there is no indication that is the case.”