Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Paul Martinelli and Ian Seaton.

The Chairman stated that in relation to Item 5, he had a basement in the flood area, which had twice been affected by flooding.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2023.

RESOLVED, That the public minutes of the meeting of 26 September 2023 be approved as an accurate record of the proceedings subject to the following amendment:

That the public minutes of the meeting of 26 September 2023 be approved as an accurate record of the proceedings subject to Item 4 – 100 Minories: 278 Highway Works (Phase 1), and public realm enhancements (Crescent) (Phase 2)being amended to state that the Officer advised that there had been a letter drop of local occupiers but this had not included the residential blocks as they were not close enough to the Crescent.

Matters Arising

Barbican and Golden Lane Healthy Streets Plan

The Chairman asked when the meeting would take place with Islington Council to discuss the governance of the Barbican and Golden Lane Healthy Streets Plan. An Officer stated that this was being arranged.

100 Minories: 278 Highway Works (Phase 1), and Public Realm Enhancements (Crescent) (Phase 2)

A Member stated that she had asked to see the consultation responses from the Crescent design as well as the letter that was sent out and the premises that were consulted. She stated that there was a residential block closer than some of the business occupiers that were consulted, for example, in the Business Improvement Districts. The Member stated that she was concerned that the residents had not been consulted when they were 24/7 stakeholders. She added, that the letter dated November 2022 had been sent to occupiers of the Crescent  but the buildings were empty. She understood the freeholder had sent in a response but she had not seen this. The Member outlined the responses she had seen. She also commented that the two BIDS had advised her that they would stay neutral on the design and she stated they were

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment.           

Members received a report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment which provided an update on the review of the public realm design guidance and technical information, and sought adoption of the Public Realm Design Toolkit.

An Officer introduced the report and stated that the review had considered policy and sustainability and there had been co-ordination with the Transport Strategy and the Local Plan. If adopted as guidance, the toolkit, which would not have any weight in policy terms, would be a useful tool for those designing projects and strategies for the public realm.

Members discussed the necessity for bollards and the standard location 450mm into the pavement. An Officer stated that some bollards were necessary for security or road safety. They were set back from the roads so that if a vehicle pulled up next to the kerb, they would not hit their wing mirror and would be able to open their door without hitting a bollard. In the majority of locations, the bollards were integrated e.g., into the new seats at Bank Junction. The Officer stated that this particular footway was previously a small space contained by a guard railing and was now a permeable space. The Officer stated that consideration was given to the best way of providing or integrating bollards at each location. There were many options for street furniture that could be used for security purposes and would blend into the location. An Officer stated that the Transport Strategy and Healthy Streets Programme took a broader, more holistic view of streets and in certain locations, raising footways could be more appropriate than using bollards to stop vehicles from mounting kerbs. A Member raised concern about bollards placed at 450Mm from the kerb on narrow pavements. An Officer stated this had previously been considered but could be

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment.

Members received a report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment which sought approval to progress the Phase 4 SuDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage) for the Climate Resilience workstream.

An Officer introduced the report. She stated that this work was part of the Cool Streets and Greening Programme which consisted of four phases. Phases 1-3 were underway. Phase 4 was challenging due to the number of utilities underground, especially under the pavements.

The Officer informed Members that the original plan had been to implement 10 sites. To date, space had been found for 6 sites. Officers recommended taking these six sites forward and continuing to investigate other sites concurrently.

The Officer advised that most of the projects included sustainable drainage and rain gardens in the former carriageway, as the pavement was congested with utilities. At the site in St Andrew Undershaft, work was taking place with the church to introduce sustainable drainage, including capturing rainwater from the roof.

The Chairman commented that only 6 sites had been identified and asked if Officers were confident that more sites could be found. He also asked for more information on the scope of where these schemes could be implemented and whether they could be located in parts of the City liable to flooding. An Officer stated that the SuDS being proposed were primarily preventative, slowing the flow of water getting into the sewer and to some extent diverting that water from reaching the sewer. He explained that the difficulty with placing these schemes in flooded areas was that they were already full of water so they were not benefiting from the slowing down of water. Therefore, in flooded areas, to avoid potential damage, resilience measures such as traditional flood defences were more appropriate.

The Officer stated that the schemes were quite small so had to

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment concerning public realm improvements related to the redevelopment of Dauntsey House, 4A & 4B Frederick’s Place, to improve pedestrian movement.

RESOLVED – That Members of the Sub-Committee

1.         Approve the budget of £25,000 for Evaluation and Design to reach the next Gateway;

2.         Note the total estimated cost of the project £350,000 - £600,000 (excluding risk), funded from the Section 106 and Section 278; and

3.         Grant permission to enter into a Section 278 Agreement in accordance with the completed Section 106 Deed of Agreement related to the redevelopment of Dauntsey House, 4A & 4B Frederick’s Place.

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment concerning proposed public realm and highways improvements to enhance Cheapside.

An Officer introduced the report and stated that the programme would focus on the length of Cheapside between New Change and Bank, Bow Churchyard and at the Cheapside Bus Gate (east of Bread Street). The programme aimed to deliver enhancements to complement existing projects developed in the area through the greening of Cheapside and the Pedestrian Priority programme. The programme also aimed to declutter and rationalise the street furniture along Cheapside following the Healthy Streets approach, provide more greening and low maintenance and sustainable planting to align with the Greening Cheapside project already delivered, so there would be consistency in the planting, improved pedestrian movement through a change of road layout, enhanced lighting and wayfinding, new seating as well as supporting activation and events.

Members were informed that at Cheapside Bus Gate, a permanent traffic order was implemented in July 2023 and in late October 2023 an experimental traffic order meant there was now taxi access through the bus gate.

The Officer stated that the project was funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and £125,000 was required to progress the project to the next gateway – Gateway 3/4 to be submitted in Quarter 4 2024.

A Member asked if there would be a contribution from the Cheapside Business Alliance. The Officer stated that the alliance had provide some design funding and this had been spent. As a key stakeholder, Officers were in regular discussions with the alliance and a request for funding would be submitted. The Officer stated that out of the five Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in the area, the Cheapside Business Alliance had the least funding available.

The Chairman requested that there be engagement with local

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment concerning the Fleet Street Area Healthy Streets Plan (HSP) which would provide a framework for improvements to streets and public realm in the area.

An Officer introduced the report and stated that the HSP was a high-level plan and as the area was large it had been divided into several neighbourhoods. Officers had been working in coordination with the Fleet Street Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) which was producing their own public realm strategy for the area.

The Officer stated that public consultation had taken place over the summer and there had been approximately 600 responses which was a positive result. A significant number of those who responded were in support of the proposals. Some drop-in sessions had taken place and businesses and residents were able to discuss the proposals in more detail.

Members were informed that the next stage would be to form a working group made up of Members and interested parties including the BID. The Officer stated that projects from the plan could be taken forward as funding became available or funding bids were submitted. The Officer added that the report indicated some priority for the projects in each neighbourhood but the working group could help prioritise further.

A Member stated that the Fleet Street area suffered severely during the economic difficulties, and it was essential to improve the public realm. The Member commented that the Salisbury Square development would be open in 2026 and would bring a large number of people to the area to work in the development.

A Member commented that the pedestrian underpass under New Bridge Street, joining up Queen Victoria Street with the Thames Path, was not mentioned in the document or the BID equivalent document which had included an idea

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment which updated Members on the project to improve the safety, air quality and pedestrian experience of the area around the Bank junction.

A Member commented that the Lord Mayor’s Show on 11 November 2023 was the time when it was planned that most of the work would be completed, and it had been. He asked Officers to confirm how much of the rubble and hoardings would be removed by 11 November and the Officer stated that work was underway to ensure all the rubble and hoardings would be removed and the area would be swept clean.

A Member asked when the work on Threadneedle Street would begin. An Officer stated that once the street furniture had been put back after the Lord Mayor’s Show, work would start on Threadneedle Street.

The Chairman drew the Sub-Committee’s attention to the aerial photograph in Appendix 5 of the Officer report which showed the increase in the provision of pedestrian space.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Town Clerk setting out the list of Outstanding References.

Dockless Vehicles

Officers confirmed that a date for a Member briefing with the operator, Lime, had been arranged and a Member briefing with Human Forest was being arranged.The Officers confirmed the briefings were for all members of the Planning and Transportation Committee. The Chairman asked that all Members of Common Court be invited to attend.

A Member stated that in the recent King’s Speech, there was a piece about the regulation of pedicycles but e-bikes and e-scooters had not been included. It was suggested that the Sub-Committee could ask the Policy Chairman to write to the Secretary of State to request that consideration be given to the addition of the regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters into legislation alongside pedicycles. Officers stated they would support having e-bikes and e-scooters regulated and within a legal framework and could assist in the drafting of a letter. A Member commented that the primary mover of the Pedicycle Bill was the Cities of London and Westminster MP and another Member stated the importance of the bill given that in the future, with Destination City, pedicycles could start operating in the City. Officers stated they would discuss with the Policy Chairman’s office and colleagues in Corporate Affairs, the appropriate form of liaison.

RESOLVED - That Members of the Sub-Committee

1.         Agree that all Members of the Court of Common Council be invited to the dockless cycle briefings; and

2.         Agree that the Policy Chairman be asked to write to the Secretary of State requesting that consideration be given to the addition of the regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters into legislation alongside pedicycles and request that Officers discuss with the Policy Chairman’s office and colleagues in Corporate Affairs, the appropriate

Members asked for a map of projects and information on whether they were completed, underway or future projects, to enable Members to see the complete picture. An Officer stated that there was a delivery plan which covered five years and was updated every year for the Transport Strategy which was submitted to the Planning and Transportation Committee for information. Officers had been considering how to provide maps as it was difficult to show all projects on a Citywide map. He suggested this could be done by using healthy street plan areas. The Chairman stated that he would discuss with Officers how maps could be provided in a simple format.

The Chairman informed the Sub-Committee that the City of London Street Accessibility Tool (CoLSAT) had won a national transport award and requested that this be publicised at the Court of Common Council. It was suggested that the Policy Chairman be asked to include it in his statement.

The Chairman requested that Officers inform other Local Authorities that they could use the best-in-class tool for no charge. An Officer stated that the CoLSAT was available on the City’s website for others to use. Officers had held sessions on the use of the tool and several London Boroughs had attended and some were now using it. The Officer added that the CoLSAT had been promoted at the London Cycling and Walking Conference. The Chairman requested that the tool be promoted outside of London as it could help improve accessibility across the country.

The Chairman asked Officers to update Members on the site visit that was taking place on 24 November. The Officer stated that the details would be recirculated.

The Chairman stated that the visit to the pipe subway had been informative and encouraged Members who had not been able to attend, to attend the next one when it was arranged.

A Member stated that the installation of granite blocks by St Paul’s Cathedral had been successful. An Officer stated that they had been installed as part of the From the Thames to Eternity Project which had won a London design award. The Officer stated that the stones had been removed for the Lord Mayor’s Show. A Member stated the benefits of the stones included acting as bollards, providing Hostile Vehicle Mitigation, provided seating and an artistic element. An Officer stated that the project assisted with wayfinding and the circular economy.