Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the Reverend Dr Martin Dudley, Deputy John Barker, Alderman Alison Gowman and Oliver Lodge.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 19 January 2015.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on19 January 2015 be approved.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Special events on the public highway

Smithfield Nocturne Cycling Event – The Assistant Highways Director informed the Sub Committee that discussions had been held with the event organisers who had provided a clear commitment to deliver a brand new, much safer and more controlled event plan.  As a result, both Smithfield Market and the SMTA were now content for the event to return to the area in 2015.

British 10k – 12 July 2015 – Members were informed that Transport for London had refused permission for the event to use Parliament Square and Waterloo Bridge, and consequently the event organiser had to review their event plan.  As a result, it was likely that the event would be confined to Westminster this year.

Go Kart Event – 26 July 2015 – Members were informed that the Lord Mayor’s Charity remained supportive of the event and the organisers have agreed to monitor developments regarding the proposed change in legislation that may allow racing on the highway.  If an event is to be brought to the City, this would be subject to consultation with the Sub Committee.

Cycle collisions –

·         Ludgate Hill – this accident was still being investigated by the Coroner.

·         Fleet Street – the driver of the HGV has been charged with death by dangerous driving.

·         London Bridge – no further action would be taken in terms of a prosecution.

20mph Speed Limit -

Members were informed that since the last meeting there 37 summons for speeding of which 19 cases had been determined.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment in relation to the Museum of London Roundabout.

The Chairman informed the Committee of a representation from a member of the public expressing concerns regarding the recent road layouts which it was considered had worsened the junction for cyclists, causing it to be unsafe.

Members noted that a number of minor additions and amendments (such as traffic cones and signage) had been added to improve the effectiveness of the scheme; however, it was felt that an alternative to cones ought to be considered, such as ‘armadillo humps’. 

Members were informed that various options were being considered to improve the lighting.

RESOLVED – That,

a)    the outcome of this trial so far be noted and an extension of the trial for a further 3 months be agreed;

b)    a further report be brought back to this Committee to decide whether to make the scheme permanent following the extended trial.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the detail design proposals around the new Moorgate Crossrail entrance.

Members were informed that Gateway 4 (stage 2) would require a report to the Sub Committee setting out the detailed design and details of options for traffic management in Moor Place and Moorfields, in conjunction with an assessment of the broader impacts of an increase in pedestrian numbers on the road network managed by the City.

RESOLVED – That approve be given for the following -

a)    the following design proposals in Appendix 2:

(i)            Detail design inside the security cordon to allow Crossrail to proceed with their planning application.

(ii)           Outline design proposals for the area outside the security cordon to allow the project to progress to Gateway 4 (stage 2).

b)    the carry forward of any remaining underspend at stage 1 to be used to fund the project to Gateway 4 (Stage 2).

c)    City officers to obtain any necessary planning, listed building, traffic order or other consents as may be necessary to implement the project as described in this report.

d)    City officers to enter in to a Section 278 agreement with relevant parties if security measures are required on public highway.

e)    Officers to approach developers for 72 Fore Street to confirm availability of external funding for Gateway 4 (stage 2).

f)     Officers to explore the mechanisms by which Crossrail would be able to provide a maintenance contribution for hard landscaping.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the detail design proposals for around the new Liverpool Street Crossrail entrance.

Members were informed that consideration was being given to appropriate locations for taxi ranks around the Liverpool Street station area.  Network Rail would need to give approval to retain the taxi ranks inside the station.

The Assistant Director, Environmental Enhancement confirmed that the funding streams would be identified in the Gateway 4 report.

RESOLVED – That approval be given for the following -

a)    the design proposal Option 1 in Appendix 3 and allow the project to progress to Gateway 4 (Stage 2);

b)    an additional £115k from the 5 Broadgate Section 106 contribution for a total revised budget of £250k to complete Gateway 4 (Stage 2);

c)    City officers to obtain any necessary planning, listed building, traffic order or other consents as may be necessary to implement the project as described in this report;

d)    officers to seek funding from Crossrail to provide a maintenance contribution for hard landscaping.

This report will be considered under Urgency Procedures.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the Plough Place Environmental Enhancements.

Scheme Objectives

·         It was agreed that a further scheme objective should be included which addressed concerns regarding skateboarding.

·         One Member requested that the ongoing maintenance costs of any proposed planters must be secured from the Private Landowers for a ‘minimum’ of 20 years.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the signing of a S278 agreement, approval be given for the following –

a)    a change in project scope to include increased enhancements on Plough Place and the Section 278 Highway Improvement Works;

b)    the project objectives set out in Appendix 2;

c)    the release of £125,000 to cover staff costs and fees as outlined in Section 16 of this report, subject to the receipt of the Section 278 funds; and

d)    officers to pursue the necessary approvals to pedestrianize.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the Lime Street and Cullum Street Enhancement Works.

RESOLVED – That

a)  the implementation of the traffic experiment, subject to obtaining the necessary traffic orders be approved; and

b)  a budget adjustment of £22,500 be authorised from the contingency budget of the Cullum Street works as set out in Appendix 4.

NB: The appendix to this report has been circulated as a separately bound document.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the Mayor’s decision in relation to the Cycle Superhighways.

The Sub Committee were informed that a letter had been received from Transport for London (TfL) which set out the timeline for the decisions and actions, the changes proposed, changes that still required resolution and commitments which were being offered by TfL.

Officers were working collaboratively with colleagues at TfL to ensure the effective delivery of the transformative improvements.  Members were informed that there would be a significant increase in staff to support the project and TfL were providing additional funding for to support the provision of these resources.

The Sub Committee made specific reference to pedestrian crossing timings which TfL had committed to revisit after the scheme had gone live; the closure of Tudor Street; and the access routes to Riverside Walk.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman expressed thanks to Officers for their continued efforts with this project.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

·         St Paul’s Crossing – the Deputy Chairman reported the start of the trial of a signalised crossing.

·         The Assistant Highways Director agreed to investigate the temporary bollards near Gresham Street.

·         The Chairman advised the Sub Committee that over the last ten years, 25% of the city had been transformed.  A number of visits would be organised in the spring to allow Members to see some of the areas which had been enhanced.