Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment in relation to the temporary private footbridge across Upper Thames Street at Thames Court which was erected following an agreement reached in 1997 between the CoL Corporation and the owners of Thames Court.  The agreement provided that the owners make the footbridge available for use by the public throughout its operating life.

The report advised that the Thames Court footbridge was now closed and its owners were in discussions with Transport for London, the current local highway authority for Upper Thames Street, about a road closure to allow the footbridge removal works to be undertaken.  Although the footbridge was across Upper Thames Street, parts of the abutments and footings of the footbridge on either side were located on adjoining highways for which the CoL Corporation was the local highway authority.

There was a local desire for the footbridge to be retained although a wider public need for the footbridge had not been demonstrated.  Transport for London (TfL) was willing, without prejudice, to consider having the footbridge vested in TfL as a highway structure in order to allow it to be retained if all parties considered this to be desirable.

Brian Mooney spoke in support of the retention of the footbridge and MOVED an Amendment to Recommendation 3 to state that if neither TfL or the owner of the structure were willing to take over ownership then the CoL Corporation should do so.

The Amendment was SECONDED by Marianne Fredericks.

Discussion ensued and although Members were sympathetic to local residents and retaining the bridge, they sort further clarification on the financial implications of doing so and whether or not the CoL would still be able to take it down at a later date if it required.

The Director of the Built Environment advised that a further report on costs and the full implication would need to come back to the Committee for consideration.

Arising from the discussion a vote was taken on the amendment:

12 FOR

8 AGAINST

And the Committee RESOLVED that:

1)        Transport for London be approached to have the Thames Court footbridge vested in it as a highway structure should the owner of the structure be willing to transfer it to Transport for London.

2)        Should Transport for London and the owner of the structure be willing to have the footbridge vested in Transport for London as a highway structure the Director of the Built Environment be authorized to enter into any necessary agreements with Transport for London to enable to Transport for London to exercise the City’s local highway authority functions in respect of those parts of the footbridge that are located on highways for which the City is the local highway authority.

3)        Should Transport for London not be willing to accept the t vesting of the Thames Court as a highway structure, then the CoL Corporation should take over responsibility for its retention and maintenance. .