Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 27 September 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 2016 were agreed as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

Item 6 – Tudor Street Safety Reports

“New Tudor Street” to be “New Bridge Street”

“Officers agreed to look into whether an underpass within the area could be used by pedestrians to reduce overcrowding” to be ““Officers agreed to look into whether the existing underpass could be better utilised by pedestrians to reduce overcrowding”.

Matters Arising

The Chairman updated the Committee on the planning process for the redevelopment of the Tudor Street junction. A design had now been finalised and agreed by the Temple and Transport for London (TfL) (subject to final modelling), with vehicular egress maintained from Tudor Street in both directions and ingress moved to Bridewell Place. A report would be submitted to the Planning and Transportation Committee in December 2016, with a final with a final report being made to the Court of Common Council in January 2017. The exact cost of the scheme, with funding split between the Corporation and TfL would be confirmed in the report.

A Member stated that the impact on future development of Ludgate Circus from the additional traffic lights should be considered. It was confirmed TfL would be assessing the impact of the lights.

The Chairman requested that an update on Tudor Street be included as a standing item on the agenda.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Parking for Motorcyclists

Officers reported the matter would be included in the 2017/18 work programme and not the 2016/16 programme as stated. A Member requested that an accurate end date be determined for the action.

20mph Speed Limit

The discussion on this item is included under Item 8, where an urgent report on the matter had been tabled.

Swan Pier

The matter had now been referred to the City Surveyor; an update would be provided to the next meeting.

Cloth Fair Noise Disturbance

The consultation was due to close shorty. The Ward Members, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman would be briefed on the outcome.

Inconsistent Road Markings

An update would be coming to the next Committee.

RESOLVED – That the list of outstanding references be noted and updated as appropriate.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided an update of progress to date on the Mark Lane public realm enhancement project. Officers informed the Committee that an application for redevelopment of 51/54 Fenchurch Street was unlikely to be forthcoming; as a result the project would now be progressed to Phase 2 and the underspend from Phase 1 reallocated.

In response to a query from a Member, Officers confirmed they would investigate possible locations for tree reinstatement and the inclusion of retractable bollard on the access to Fenchurch Street.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee:

a)    authorises the proposed budget plan summarised in Appendix 2, table D to complete Phase 1 works and further design appraisal to develop Phase 2, totalling £76,357; to be funded from the 64-74 Mark Lane Section 106 Agreement; and

b)    agrees that any unspent Phase 1 funds would be reallocated to implement Phase 2.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided an overview of progress to date on the Cullum Street and Lime Street public realm enhancement project and asked Members to consider recommendations for the project in relation to a budget adjustment and a traffic order. Officers confirmed the Experimental Traffic Order had been instated at the request of the community and had been well received. Three objections had been received and addressed. A Member asked that future reports clearly state the consultation process undertaken.

In response to a query from a Member relating to the figure of 12 vehicles per hour still using the street, it was reported that this had not proven to be the case in the test period.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee:

a)    recommends to make the experimental traffic order a permanent traffic order Monday to Friday 8am-6pm; and

b)    subject to approval by Project Sub Committee, approves the budget.

This report was not available at the time of publishing and will be circulated separately.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided an overview of the current traffic situation in the City of London and suggested a range of measures that might be introduced or strengthened to improve traffic flow. The Chairman welcomed additional comments to be sent prior to the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee on 21 November 2016, where the minute would be received.

Officers outlined the current level of congestion in the City and how this had increased in recent years. Recent developments, such as the introduction of the Cycle Super Highway and the closure of Tower Bridge were exacerbating the problem.

The measures proposed were focused on the area in which the Corporation could have most impact on congestion, the "macro" level demand for street space. All possible options, including those that might be considered radical, had been included in order for Members to provide a steer for the development of the strategy. It was noted that the developed strategy would be considered in partnership with the Mayor of London’s report on the issue and the impact of all supported proposals would be carefully measured prior to final approval.

 Members discussed the range of potential measures proposed and made suggestions for further considerations. The following points were made:

-       Members did not support the proposal to introduce tolls on bridges, as it was felt the divide was arbitrary and risked dividing North and South London. It was also felt there was a risk that drivers could be charged twice with the current congestion zone charge being in effect.

-       The use of night time servicing for businesses was discussed and the success of a similar scheme during the Olympics was noted. Some Members felt that such a scheme should be limited to

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain which provided information on the action taken in respect of any deficit or surplus in the On Street Parking Account for the 2015/16 financial year.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee notes the contents of the report before submission to the Mayor for London.

Officers provided details in response to an inquiry relating to an incident on Ludgate Hill.

The Sub-Committee considered a late report of the Commissioner of Police which provided a quarterly summary of activity undertaken by the Transport and Highways Operations Group in the City of London Police.

The Sub-Committee discussed whether it was possible to determine the effect of the reduction in speed on casualty numbers, as cause and effect were hard to define with many variables. It was reported that although it was difficult to reduce collisions, those that took place at a lower speed were less likely to result in serious injury.

Members requested the following changes to future iterations of the report:

-       Interpretation of the figures, with key trends drawn out

-       Explanation of acronyms

-       Distinction between serious vs slight injury explained

-       Graphs to be presented in colour.

-       Enforcement action taken against Construction Vehicles

-       Suggestions for possible solutions to the issues presented.

Officers invited the Committee to participate in a speed gun exercise to provide a practical demonstration of enforcement.

RESOLVED – That the Committee notes the report.

MOTION – That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act as follows:-

RESOLVED – That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes and of the meeting held on 27 September 2016.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 2016 were approved.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.