Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy Alastair Moss.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 6 December 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 December were agreed as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

4.1 Bank Junction Improvements

It was felt that the proposal would not cause traffic gridlock as the same modelling approach had been successfully used when designing the new junction at Holborn Circus.

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

The Sub-Committee received a Gateway 4 report seeking approval of the proposed public realm, highway and security improvement option in the area of the Shoe Lane Quarter to enable the project to move to Gateway 5 and progress the detailed design.

The project involved a wide range of measures on the highway that would enhance the public realm on Stonecutter Street, Shoe Lane and Plumtree Court to provide an improved environment for the high number of workers, residents and visitors expected in the area.

Members noted that the proposed public realm, highway and security layout option had been developed in consultation with key stakeholders and businesses that formed the Shoe Lane Quarter Working Party.

A detailed discussion took place with a number of questions and comments made by Members in relation to the ongoing maintenance of the granite setts, the impact of the proposed traffic management changes on vehicle movements and cycle routes, the positioning of lighting columns on the street rather than building mounted, the suitability of slot drains and night time servicing.

Members were advised that it was anticipated that the proposed scheme would have a positive impact on pedestrians and cyclists, and a number of the concerns raised would be addressed as part of the detailed design stage and presented at Gateway 5.

Arising from the discussion a Member MOVED an amendment to the recommendations to exclude approval for lighting columns on the street. This was SECONDED and a vote was taken:

5 AGAINST

3 FOR

A vote on the original recommendations was then taken and the Sub-Committee unanimously RESOLVED to:

a)        Approve the proposed public realm, highway and security improvements (as shown in Appendix 2 of the report) to be progressed to detailed design;

b)        Approve further investigation to reopen Shoe Lane north to northbound traffic;

The Sub-Committee received a Gateway 4/5 report comprising the detailed options appraisal and authority to start development work at 11-19 Monument Street.

The scope of the project at G3 had comprised functional changes to accommodate the development, as well as environmental enhancements in the project area, including the raising of the southern section of Fish Street Hill and relocation of parking, the re-surfacing of Pudding Lane, and the relocation or introduction of street furniture and trees.

Members were advised that in September 2016 a public consultation was carried out on the outline design. There were five formal responses received, and four that provided supportive comments. Strong feedback was given with regards to accessibility improvements to Monument yard, including removing the changes in level to provide a unified surface throughout the whole area.

It was now proposed that rather than having two processes, one for reparations and one for enhancements, these should be combined to make the implementation phase of the project more streamlined and efficient. The reparations budget had therefore been included within the project cost, increasing the overall project cost.

In response to a question concerning the removal of the Monument Street hoarding, the Sub-Committee were advised that TfL wanted to retain this although they had agreed to cut it back and officers were liaising with TFL to ensure this was done.

RESOLVED – To approve

a)            The design for Option 2 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report;

b)            The implementation budget of £964,358 fully funded from the 11-19 Monument Street S278 and S106 Agreements and 20 Fenchurch Street S106 Agreement, including any interest and indexation accrued (see Section 5 and Appendix 3 of this report);

c)            The budgets should be adjusted to reflect the tables in Appendix 1;

d)            Budget adjustments, if required, between work, staff

The Sub-Committee received a Gateway 4/5 report in relation to the Newgate Street/Warwick Lane safety improvements.

Members were advised that at the time of the last gateway (1/2) report, the data had ranked this junction as the 9^th most dangerous location on the City’s highway network. However, in the latest data, it was now ranked the second behind Bank Junction due to a combination of improvements being achieved elsewhere and a worsening of safety at this junction.

The proposal was therefore to make this junction safer and improve pedestrian amenity wherever possible, whilst minimising any impacts on vehicle journey times. 

The report detailed a number of options which had now been evaluated and Members were advised that the most beneficial and recommended option was to introduce traffic signals to control all movements including the introduction of pedestrian green/red man facilities throughout. This option was expected to save an average of 2.6 collisions per year. 

Members spoke in support of the recommended Option 4 however also stressed the need to promote behavioural change to reduce the number of collisions and casualties, and suggested that this could be undertaken as part of the consultation exercise.

RESOLVED – To:

a)            Approve Option 4 subject to the project obtaining TfL scheme approval;

b)            Approve the procurement approach and the proposed way forward

c)            Approve a budget allocation of £90,000 to be funded from LIP allocation for 2016/17

d)            Approve, subject to the Planning & Transportation Committee agreeing an additional £60,000 from the LIP grant for 2017/18 to be allocated to this project

e)            Authorise the start of works.

The Sub-Committee received the annual report outlining the major events planned for the coming year and providing Members with an opportunity to consider and comment on the appropriateness of these events, taking into account their nature, scale and impact, as well as the benefits they would bring. 

Members were advised that there were 15 major events planned for 2017, the same as the previous year, of which 13 had taken place before and 2 were new one-off events - International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championship marathon and Open House.

The report also updated Members on the outcome of new or one-off events that took place in 2016, as well as other matters related to special events such as ‘root & branch’ reviews, changes to the road network and drones for filming.  

RESOLVED - To

a)            Agree to support the events outlined in the report and detailed in Appendix 1; and

b)            Note that a root and branch review is planned for Standard Chartered Great City Race and the City of London Mile Run Fast events for 2018.

Report of the Commissioner of Police.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the CoL Police detailing recent and forthcoming planned criminal enforcement and educational activity carried out by the CoL Police Transport and Highways Operations Group (THOG) in support of the City of London Road Danger Reduction Plan, National Police enforcement campaigns, and public safety.

Members raised a number of questions in relation to the data given and how the information was categorised, and also sought clarification on the enforcement activity undertaken.

Members welcomed the report  and the work being done to improve public safety, but expressed concern at the nature of some of the statistics which again highlighted the need for behavioural change, especially in relation to pedestrians who were injured due to ‘lack of attention’.

Officers confirmed that the information would be used to inform the Road Danger Reduction Steering Group.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

In response to a question concerning buses making illegal turns as a result of lack of appropriate signage in the vicinity of the Cycle Superhighway, officers undertook to contact TfL.

There were no items of urgent business.

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 for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment updating on the findings of the trial to provide furniture in St Paul’s Churchyard with aim of reducing opportunities for skateboarding, and presenting a number of permanent options available.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces

The Sub-Committee considered and approved a report of the Director of Open Spaces which proposed a Project for the reinstatement of Finsbury Circus following the completion of the Crossrail works.

There were no non-public questions.

There were no non-public items of urgent business.