Agenda item

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment proposing Experimental Timed Closure at St Mary Axe as part of the City Cluster Vision Phase 1 Activation, Greening and Experiments programme. The Chairman welcomed the ground-breaking scheme which he hoped would bring about further change. The Director of the Built Environment then introduced the report and outlined the details of the scheme.

The Sub Committee noted that local businesses were supportive of the scheme, despite some initial reluctance, and praised the engagement and consultation undertaken by officers in developing the proposals.

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee:

1. Agree that St Mary Axe experimental timed closure project be established as part of the City Cluster phase 1 programme;

2. That an additional budget of £41,699 is approved to reach the next Gateway (G5) giving a total budget of £46,699 for the St Mary Axe experimental timed closure project, and to be set up using a separate cost code to the main Phase 1 project code;

3. Agree the total estimated maximum cost of the St Mary Axe experimental timed closure project is £270,000 (excluding risk);

4. That Option 2, trial the closure of St Mary Axe to motor traffic at peak periods through an Experimental Traffic Order and maintain the existing motorcycle bays,is approved to proceed into detailed design;

5. Delegate authority to the Director of the Built Environment to approve budget adjustments, above the existing authority within the project procedures and in consultation with Chamberlains, between budget lines if this is within the approved total project budget amount; and

6. That the next Gateway report proceeds under delegation to the Director of the Built Environment, in consultation with the Chairman, subject to:

a)    project cost not exceeding the maximum of £270,000 and the Director of the Built Environment and Chairman being satisfied with the equality implications after considering the review currently being prepared.