The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced new safety regulations against heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

In conjunction with the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL), the news will see a task force appointed to take direct action against drivers, vehicles and operators.

Under current legislation the majority of HGVs have to fit safety equipment - such as low skirts and sidebars - by requirement. These help to protect vulnerable road users such as cyclists.

Yet there are a few areas, such as the construction sector, where exemptions can be made for safety equipment. The growing number of these vehicles is a concern for London - with almost a quarter of rush hour traffic made up of cyclists.

Transport minister Stephen Hammond said the "industrial HGV task force will target the small minority of large goods vehicle operators who are unaware of, or just wilfully non-compliant with, safety regulations for HGVs and their drivers".

The mayor is also asking if a "safer lorry charge" should be given to those not meeting standards.

TfL already requires exempt vehicles to be fitted with safety equipment as part of its procurement conditions - it has found no negative impact to working operations as a result.