Agenda item

Report of the Director of Built Environment.

The Sub-Committee received a report concerning the alternative junction layout and delivery of mitigation measures at Tudor Street/New Bridge Street.

The report sought agreement for officers to work with TfL to confirm whether the new alternative layout was viable through detailed design and modelling, and drew Members’ attention to the fact that if it is found to be so, then the cost would be in excess of £2.3M for which funding had not currently been identified.

Some members expressed support for work to continue on the revised scheme but voiced concerns regarding the additional costs and whether or not it would be possible to push back on some of the proposals, for example the additional bus stop. Members also suggested that it would have been helpful if the report had highlighted the differences between the scheme agreed by the Court and the revised one.

Jeremy Simons MOVED and Marianne Fredericks SECONDED a motion proposing that work should continue, but with the following conditions:

·         That a safety audit be carried out;

·         That detailed modelling on the additions and reductions to travel time be undertaken;

·         That an impact analysis on pollution be undertaken;

·         That any impact on the City’s road danger reduction targets be measured, including any liability of parties concerned; and

·         That an impact analysis of the closure of the bus-stop be undertaken.

Several members indicated that they did not support the motion which they considered was micro-managing and would just frustrate the process of negotiation with TfL.

Officers advised that most of the suggested conditions were routine and would be undertaken by TfL in any event. They further advised that it might be possible to push back on the additional bus stop with the aim of reducing costs.

Mr Simons advised that he would WITHDRAW the motion on the expectation that his points would be addressed.

A Member expressed concern that the Sub-Committee was being asked to solve a problem without fully knowing what the issues were and without the evidence to inform any decision.

Alderman Gregory Jones MOVED a motion proposing that the Sub-Committee proceed to vote on the recommendations in the report and this was seconded by Deputy Alastair Moss.

The MOTION was put to the vote, the result of which was as follows:

5 votes in Favour of proceeding to vote on the substantial recommendations.

2 votes Against

1 Abstention

The Sub-Committee then voted on the substantial recommendations, the result of which was as follows:

8 – In Favour

1 – Abstention

RESOLVED-To

1)            Agree that officers continue to work with TfL and representatives of the

Temples to establish the viability of the new layout through detailed design, and traffic modelling, and

2)            Endorse officers to investigate possible funding options for the scheme.