Agenda item

Tudor Street

The Chairman advised that in advance of the meeting he had asked officers to provide an update on the situation at Tudor Street and a briefing note was tabled.

An internal safety review of the Junctions between Tudor Street and New Bridge Street and Bridewell Place and New Bridge Street had been commissioned resulting in temporary improved signage being installed.

Officers had also commissioned an independent safety audit of the new Cycle Super Highway and safety risk assessment of impacted streets. These reports would be passed to TfL for comment and would also be distributed to all Members of Planning and Transportation and Streets and Walkways Committees.

A question was raised concerning what safety issues the Sub-Committee needed to be aware of in relation to the findings of the independent consultant. The Director of the Built Environment advised that in relation to the Stage 3 Safety Audit some 17 minor snagging items had been identified, all of which related to issues such as lighting, street markings and signage and that all of these should be addressed when TfL carry out works to make their temporary infrastructure more permanent.

In relation to the separate  risk assessment of impacted streets Members were advised that most of the streets presented a low risk of collisions however there were 3 exceptions. In 2 locations the consultant considered the risk to be medium to high. The first of these related to the risk of speeding vehicles in Tudor Street and the second to the risk of cyclists making an illegal right turn into Bridewell Place. The Director advised that both of these risks related to illegal behaviour and could be addressed through improved signange and possibly additional enforcement. The consulant identified 1 risk that was considered to be ‘high to very high’. This again related to illegal behaviour, this time motorised vehicles making an illegal right turn into Tudor Street. The Director advised that one solution recommended by the consulant was the closing of Tudor Street to all but cyclists but that the Court has already declined this option. The other possible solution put forward by the consultant was that the junction be signalised. The Director advised that this option was being further evaluated by TfL and that if implemented this measure along with improved signage highlighting the banned right turn should effectively mitigate this risk.

In response to a question asking whether or not TfL had undertaken a full stage 3 survey, the Director of the Built Environment advised that only stages 1 & 2 had been undertaken, however that was to be expected and Stage 3 would be undertaken further on.

The Chairman advised that the Sub-Committee would continue to maintain a very clear and paramount focus on safety at Tudor Street and this matter would remain a standing agenda item.