Agenda item

To consider proposals relating to traffic orders at Bank Junction.

PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

(Christopher Michael Hayward)

10 July 2018

Bank on Safety

The Court considered a report relative to the future of the experimental traffic scheme at Bank Junction which recommended that the experimental traffic orders at Bank Junction (to restrict traffic to bus and cycle only, Monday to Friday 0700-1900) be made permanent.

The Chairman spoke to introduce the report, reminding Members the decision to implement the experimental closure had been taken to improve safety at this dangerous and complex Junction. He observed that the experimental closure had made the area a more pleasant and safer space, with 75% of the public consultation responses supporting or generally supporting the scheme. The Chairman also confirmed that the recommendations within the report to make the orders permanent had been approved by the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee, the Planning and Transportation Committee, and the Policy and Resources Committee.

During discussion, Members made the following comments:

• It was suggested that the consultation responses referred to were open to interpretation and did not necessarily represent support for the scheme; however, it was noted that the statistics had been scrutinised by Members of the Policy and Resources Committee and the majority of consultation responses did support the scheme. Whilst an assumption could be made that those who did not favour the scheme were in opposition of the traffic orders, this was not necessarily the case as some responses had urged the City Corporation to further pedestrianise the area as opposed to relaxing the traffic orders.

·         A Member expressed their disappointment with the binary nature of the recommendation, noting congestion remained an issue within the City and raising the point that it would have been helpful to be presented with a range of options. Members were urged to reject the decision before them and instead decide on an option that would be the best choice. Responding, other Members observed that, due to the nature of experimental traffic orders and the requirement associated with them, the option put to Members could only be a binary one and the recommendation to make the scheme permanent represented the safest way forward.

• A Member explained they had expected different methods to be trialled as part of the scheme and suggested that the complaints of businesses, as well as those who supported taxi access, had not been taken into account.

·         Numerous questions had been put before the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at meetings of the Court and the recommendation before Members should be supported. It was noted that the consultation had been undertaken in an open, considered and democratic way.

·         The experimental orders at Bank Junction had created a more pedestrian-friendly area for visitors and workers, along with cleaner air. It was noted that wider pavements would improve the area, but the exclusion of traffic created an improved environment for pedestrians, cyclists and those who use public transport.

·         The measures should be viewed in an international context with European capitals becoming increasingly pedestrianised and this was the opportunity for the City of London Corporation to become an exemplar in respect of pedestrianisation.

·         The impact on those with limited mobility should be taken into account, with it asked whether consideration could be given for the introduction of taxis to the area and other measures which would enable people to get around.

·         The Chairman of Policy and Resources confirmed to Members that the proposals had been approved by two Committees and a Sub-Committee.

James Tumbridge raised a point of order in accordance with Standing Order No. 11.6 with regards to the approval of the proposals through the sub-committees. In response, the Chairman of Policy and Resources confirmed that she had been referring to the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee.

Discussion continued with Members expressing their views:

·         The decision made by the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee to endorse the proposals had been unanimous and this was an important decision which provided the City of London Corporation with an opportunity to show that they take decisions such as these seriously and all evidence was being taken into account.

·         The City of London Corporation had a duty of care to ensure the City could be as safe as possible, a project entitled All Change at Bank would soon be coming through the Committee process to look at other measures and this would be an opportunity to think bigger with Bank Junction.

In response to the points raised, the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee thanked Members for the debate and provided the following explanations:

·         Whilst the statistics could perhaps be argued to be open to interpretation in some areas, the numbers provided in relation to those who supported or generally supported the scheme were correct.

·         The traffic orders would expire in November 2018 and the consequences of voting against the proposals would result in Bank Junction returning to its original state.

·         The consultation had been conducted in a manner which was fair and balanced, the views of those who would like the scheme to go further could be discussed as part of All Change at Bank. The Chairman confirmed that all options would be considered and nothing would be preconceived, which was part of being a responsible Highway Authority.

·         The Chairman explained that a commitment had not been made to trial anything other than what was allowed under the experimental traffic orders due to the legal wording of those measures.

·         The Chairman confirmed that access for those with disabilities and limited mobility was an important issue, a responsibility taken seriously by the City Corporation. He explained that before the trial, taxis did not have a designated pick up zone at the Junction. However, options were being considered by officers such as disabled parking bays and a designated pick-up zone. A review had also been requested to look at clutter on pavements.

·         The Chairman explained that the changes to Bank Junction were to make it a safer place for all those who live, visit or work in the City.

Resolved – That the experimental traffic orders be made permanent.