Agenda item

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 9 April 2018.

RESOVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 May 2018 be agreed as a correct record subject to:

In the fourth para of item 13 the addition of the words “70% identified themselves as taxi/private hire drivers”.  

Question from Sir Mark Boleat

 Officers have been instructed to model allowing black cabs greater access through Bank Junction.  What is the rationale behind considering giving preference to just one category of vehicle with few passengers? How was the decision taken and what opportunity have Members had to consider or review it?

Response from the Chairman

The instruction to officers to examine the opportunities for introducing some relaxation of the restrictions at Bank, to allow taxis to use the junction, was given by me. Throughout the course of the project, officers and I have met with representatives of the taxi trade on a number of occasions. They have repeatedly asked that the scheme be modified and taxis be allowed to drive through the junction at all times. During the early stages of the experiment, I was being approached by many; including Members of the Court. The request was always to modify the scheme to allow taxis to use the junction during the day.

The experiment was initiated with safety as its key objective and modelling the impact of letting taxis into Bank looked to establish whether there was an alternative option that would greater satisfy acceptance of the experiment and reduce the risk of ending the experiment with no permanent change agreed. This was about managing risk.

Officers have just completed their modelling of the impact of letting taxis use Bank. The information will be shared with members at two briefing sessions that have been lined up for the 15 May and 28 June. The report that will come to this Committee on the 19 June, seeking a recommendation on the future of Bank, will mention the assessment undertaken by officers.

Question from Marianne Fredericks

Ms Fredericks referred to the question asked at the last meeting regarding action taken under urgency in relation to this matter and asked why the Committee had still not seen any record or minute to that effect.

The Transportation & Public Realm Director advised  that the decision to utilise central contingency funds was taken following consultation with the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Projects Sub Committee, and the delegated decision would be placed before the Project Sub-Committee on the 16 May 2018.