Agenda item

Legible London presentation by Iain Simmons

The Board received a presentation from Iain Simmons, Assistant Director or Local Transport, informing Members of the following:

·        A lot of work was being done to promote the physical environment in the City and get the public walking.

·        A positive way finding system would encourage people to walk instead of driving or taking public transport and would promote the health and wellbeing of residents, city workers and visitors to the City.

·        The City’s current way finding system consisted of 12 street maps, 200 finger posts and 14 interactive signs.

·        The Legible London scheme had been adopted pan London but had not yet been introduced in the City. The scheme was a £60million investment driven by TfL and the key components were printed walking maps, tube station maps, journey planners, bus stop maps, cycle hire spot maps and interactive maps.

·        A scheme involving 15 signs would take 6-8 months to complete and would cost approximately £125 – 250k.

·        A report would be submitted to the Planning and Transportation Committee in May regarding signage in the City and initiating ways to improve the current signage.

Members agreed that signage in the City needed to be updated as it would encourage more walking and therefore promote the health and wellbeing of people in the Square Mile. Signs with orange tops may be useful as they would attract the attention of those who were navigating their way around the City. Members agreed that they would support any proposals to the Planning and Transportation Committee regarding such improvements.

In response to a query from Members, Officers said the signs around the Golden Lane Estate and the Barbican Estate were in need of updating. Improved signage around the Barbican Estate would have many advantages for those navigating their way around the estate. However, relevant bodies would need to be consulted before any new signage could be implemented. Members agreed that any news signs must accommodate people with physical disabilities and visual impairments.

In response to a query regarding the ‘yellow line’ on the pathways of the Barbican Estate, Officers agreed to investigate this and report back to Members of the Board.