Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Alex Bain-Stewart and Oliver Lodge.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 20 October 2014.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2014 be approved.

Matters arising:

Item 9 – fatality at Ludgate Circus – The Transportation and Public Realm Director informed the Sub Committee that a statement had been prepared by officers at the City of London Corporation and the City of London Police regarding the improvements to the safety of this junction should a question be asked at the Court of Common Council.  In addition, consideration was being given to alternative signage and possible installation of 20mph signage in the lead up to the junction.  Furthermore, a Road Danger Reduction meeting was due to take place in the next week where this matter would be discussion.

To note the list of outstanding actions.

The list of outstanding actions was noted.

This report will be considered by the Planning and Transportation Committee on 11 November 2014.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment which outlined the current funding situation regarding highway maintenance in the City, with a particular focus on road surfacing, where local risk budgets had considerably reduced in real terms over time, and where these further proposed savings would be most likely to impact.

The Assistant Director, Highways advised that part of the Department for Transport’s funding for highway repairs was due to become incentive based, and that this was supplemented through monies from Transport for London.

It was agreed to circulate the formula for the condition index (Appendix 1 - UKPMS Carriageway condition survey 2012/13 and 2013/14) to Members and organise a briefing session to provide some context to the methodology for formulas.

The Sub Committee noted the City’s responsibility for maintaining streets, footways and walkways, including inspecting them for defects, undertaking repairs and resurfacing, changing or enhancing streets through major projects, maintaining signs, bollards, street nameplates and drainage, and looking after all the powered & illuminated street furniture in the City, from road signs to street lights.

The Sub Committee specifically discussed the tracking of accurate survey data for highway condition, and the requirement from CIPFA to calculate the value of the highway and the backlog of work.  The Sub Committee noted this had assisted Officers in their understanding of what funding might be required to reach a ‘steady state’.

A general discussion took place regarding funding and the possibilities of obtaining other sources of revenue in the future.  In addition, Members were informed that the developer was responsible for funding initial repairs of the highway caused by building site activities.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This report will be considered by the Projects Sub Committee on 9 December 2014.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the Gateway 7 Outcome report for Cheapside 4A – Gresham Street Scheme.

The Transportation and Public Realm Director advised that consideration would be given to further improvements to the crossing as part of the Cheapside and Guildhall Review; however, it was not the intention to replace the junction with an alternative because this would not have any proven advantages.   Consideration would also be given to the provision of 20mph signage in the area.

RESOLVED - that the report be noted and authority given to close the project.

This report has been considered and approved by the Policy and Resources Committee and will be considered by the Planning and Transportation Committee on 11 November 2014.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment concerning the City’s formal response to the public consultation.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This report will be considered by the Planning and Transportation Committee on 11 November 2014 and by the Policy and Resources Committee on 11 December 2014.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided details of the planning already underway to manage what was likely to be the largest concentration of major transport construction initiatives in the Square Mile for many years, due to begin next year. 

The Sub Committee noted the comments made by the Planning and Transportation Committee that local road networks were close to capacity and therefore non-essential traffic should be discouraged, however this was outside the scope of the report.  In addition, Crossrail would be a major focus for TfL and the Local Implementation Plan. 

Members noted that Highway Officers worked closely with Transport for London (TfL) to reduce the impact of road works on bus routes and would remain vigilant of unclear signage for diversions and alternative bus stops. 

The Sub Committee were informed that the Cannon Street Gas works would be undertaken at the same time as other works that were scheduled for January 2014.  This type of information would be included in future Traffic Management Bulletins.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This report will be considered by the Planning and Transportation Committee on 11 November 2014 and by the Policy and Resources Committee on 11 December 2014.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided an update on the volume of activity by utilities in the City, how their performance was regularly monitored and where the City was taking action to help them improve.

The Assistant Highways Director referred to the capacity of the City’s streets and the importance of accommodating the needs of all users.  The Sub Committee were informed that Officers were working with access groups to improve the facilities for wheelchair users and it was suggested to include an indicator on the performance dashboard to monitor this area of work more closely.

The Sub Committee congratulated Officers on an excellent report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This report will be considered by the following Committees – Port Health and Environmental Services Committee – 18 November 2014, Health and Well Being Board – 28 November 2014, Policy and Resources Committee - 11 December 2014 and Planning and Transportation Committee – 13 January 2015

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment which considered the adoption of a policy to enable the safe management of footpaths and the street environment in a proportionate manner.

The Sub Committee were invited to comment on the report which would be received by the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee, the Policy and Resources Committee, the Health and Well Being Board and finally considered by the Planning and Transportation Committee for decision.  Members noted that the comments made by each of the Committees/Board would be included in the final report to the Planning and Transportation Committee.

The Sub Committee commented on the report as follows –

·         City of London Footway Guidance Note (Appendix 2) – The Sub Committee sought clarification regarding the stated minimum unobstructed footway width of 2m and whether this width would be sufficient in relation to the flow of pedestrians, especially during peak times.

·         A co-ordinated approach needed to be taken and consideration given to the Street Trading Policy and Tables and Chairs Policy.

·         Consideration should be given to users with disabilities and other obstacles that were necessary for the safety and health of the City.

·         Businesses should be encouraged to advertise through social media/e-mail and other electronic methods.

·         The Comptroller and City Solicitor agreed to further investigate the matter of liability.

The Sub Committee considered it would be useful to have a clear Licensing Policy in place and were informed that this would form part of a separate piece of work.

The Sub Committee discussed the obstruction caused by A-Boards, particularly when these were placed close to tube station entrances/exits and suggested a restriction ought to be placed on this.  The Transportation and Public Realm Director agreed to reconsider as to whether there was a more simplified methodology

There were no questions.

Prince Consort – The Deputy Chairman was pleased to inform the Committee that the conservation and restoration of the Prince Consort Statue, which was unveiled earlier this year in April, had won a Marsh Award for architecture and a booklet was being produced to commemorate the event.

The Sub Committee congratulated Officers on this excellent achievement.