Despite London’s extensive public transport, cars remain an essential part of daily life in south west London, offering flexibility, control over time, and independence in areas where trains are delayed, buses are crowded, and cycling is impractical.
The rhythm of life in south west London never stops, every day is a race, time is measured by endless queues and traffic.
Of course, in such a busy city, the transport system is perfectly developed, but one way or another, residents have to constantly manoeuvre, look for the best routes and occasionally get bored sitting in traffic jams.
In fact, there are some problems with travelling during peak hours, especially for those who depend on National Rail or the Underground, as trains are often delayed and passengers are late for their errands. There are also problems with overcrowded buses in south west London.
It is typical that some of the inconveniences of travelling make residents want to have their own car and at least have a little more control over their time.
The paradox is that the city is trying its best to make it convenient for residents to get around, but people are looking for alternatives because they need flexibility, ease of transport and independence from schedules and unexpected delays.
In addition, a personal car is a sense of freedom, as it is not only a means of transport to get to work and take children to school, but also for travelling out of town for the weekend.
Sometimes you just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and just enjoy the peace and beauty of nature.
To be fair, it is worth noting that even in the age of alternative transport, the car does not become less relevant, but adapts to the circumstances.
For example, every motorist tries to reduce their environmental impact by choosing an electric car or hybrid, changing their driving style to an environmentally friendly one, and not using cars for short-distance travel.
The real situation: roads that shape citizens’ habits
The roads of a metropolis and travelling on them is always a challenging quest.
A big city dictates its own rules, and you have to adapt to them.
For example, there are problems with parking, especially in areas such as Clapham, Wandsworth and Richmond.
Narrow streets, dense housing and a large number of residents make it difficult to get around these areas.
That’s why most residents don’t rely on luck, but use mobile apps that show available parking spaces and even pay for parking remotely and in advance.
Of course, one could argue that there are resident parking permits for residents of these areas.
However, even these do not guarantee that a person will have time to park a car next to his or her own home.
In such circumstances, it is also necessary to have virtuoso parallel parking skills.
Of course, given these circumstances, Londoners often damage their cars due to limited space.
Dents from a door opened carelessly by the owner of a neighbouring car, accidentally hitting an unnoticeable obstacle in the dark, bad parking, etc.
This makes people constantly be careful and develop an exceptional sense of car dimensions.
Given all these difficulties, the car must be in perfect technical condition.
That’s why MOTs have become a routine for every car owner in south west London.
Of course, first and foremost, such things are a guarantee of safe movement for both the driver and other road users.
The second reason is the ability to avoid fines, especially in the ULEZ zone. According to the expert of AUTODOC: “In the UK, any car that is three years old or above requires an annual MOT test to prove that it is roadworthy.
“It is a good idea to take a note of the date of the last MOT check to ensure that you know when the expiry date is (one year from the date of the last inspection).
“If you are getting your first MOT, you need to get it done by the third anniversary of the vehicle’s registration.”
Given all the difficulties, which cars are suitable for driving around the city?
Among the affordable and practical cars in the suburbs, the Vauxhall Insignia is popular – a reliable option with a spacious interior.
It is often chosen by those who have to manoeuvre between schools, shops and workplaces on a daily basis.
The compact front bumper makes it easy to park even in narrow alleys where every extra centimetre counts.
Statistics: the car in London
According to the TfL London Travel Demand Survey, 69 per cent of households in outer London have access to or own a car, compared to 42% in inner London and 77% in England as a whole.
| Metric | Outer London | Inner London | England (overall) |
| Households with access to a car | 69% | 42% | 77% |
| Daily trips made by car | 45% | 25% | 60% |
| Residents using public transport daily | 24% | 37% | 13% |
| Cycling as main mode of daily travel | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Average number of daily trips per person | 2.1 | 2.4 | 2.5 |
Of course, modes of travel and the need to own a car are largely dependent on the infrastructure around you.
If the area has bicycle lanes, parking for bicycles, and safe ways to cross roads, people are more likely to choose so-called ‘green’ modes of transport.
However, let’s be honest, neighbourhoods like Clapham, Wandsworth and Richmond are much easier to get around by car because they are adapted for it.
That’s why a car is becoming a necessity for many people, as an opportunity to have more freedom and convenience in moving around.
Additional information
Some information about the Vauxhall Insignia bumper – AUTODOC
How people travel in outer London today
Feature image: Free to use from Unsplash
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