Agenda item

Crossrail Reinstatement Projects - Update Report

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment concerning Crossrail reinstatement projects. The Director of the Built Environment introduced the report and gave a short presentation updating Members on Crossrail and the three reinstatement projects at each of the Crossrail Ticket Halls. The report also sought approval for two pieces of public art, the foundations for which would be laid as part of the current public realm works. The Sub-Committee noted that a report would be brought to a future meeting of the Sub-Committee on the potential permanent closure to motorised traffic of the western arm of Finsbury Circus.

 

A Member advised officers of an issue relating to the pavement on Long Lane between Farringdon Station and Aldersgate Street and asked that this be addressed as part of the public realm works, as it was affecting accessibility. A Member added that the delay to Crossrail itself was more significant as it could cause cost increases on other projects, and asked if officers had mitigated against this risk.

 

The Director of the Built Environment responded to points raised by Members. The approval of the Sub-Committee was needed for the increase in budget to cover works and for the physical public realm work needed to install the public art, rather than for the art itself. Public realm work on Long Lane was intended to form part of Culture Mile Improvement work, a report for which would be brought to the Sub-Committee in the near future. With regards to delays to Crossrail, the risk had been considered and factored in, with contingency within the budget. The City of London Corporation could still proceed with its work in order to minimise overall delay. Annual increases to the costs of contractors and materials had also been factored in.

 

In response to a query from a Member, the Director of the Built Environment confirmed that greening had not been secured for the reinstatement projects due to the risk to substructures in the area. However, officers could push for more greening in the surrounding streets. Members also asked that officers keep accessibility in mind, particularly with regards to Farringdon station and the buildings around the Barbican.

 

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee:

 

a)    Note the current position with regards to the Highway reinstatement projects at each of the Crossrail Ticket Halls; and

 

b)    Authorise the inclusion of the fabrication and delivery of two pieces of public art into the existing projects at Liverpool Street and Moorgate, subject to the release of funds being approved by the Town Clerk in conjunction with the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee.

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