Agenda item

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment presenting a Gateway 3 outline options appraisal for improvements to Bank Junction as part of the All Change at Bank project. The Director of the Built Environment introduced the report and drew Members’ attention to the key points, as well as outlining each of the options presented to the Sub Committee, and advising that the plans were able to account for the circumstances arising from the Covid-19 outbreak and the City’s recovery plan had been taken into consideration.

The Sub Committee then proceeded to discuss the proposals. Members were supportive of proceeding with the project, but sought assurances or further details regarding integration with other projects, additional costs, consultation, traffic restrictions, and possible delays to works on Bank Station. In response to questions from Members, the Director of the Built Environment advised that the project would be compatible with the Covid-19 recovery programme, and outlined the consultation undertaken so far, with further public consultation scheduled in early 2021.

The Director of the Built Environment advised that it was possible that the upgrades to Bank Station would be delayed, but this had not yet been confirmed, and officers would report on this once information became available. Officers continued to work closely with TfL on traffic restrictions and options for bus rerouting. The Director of the Built Environment then gave the Sub Committee further detail on pedestrian space uplift, road closures and bus diversions under some of the options presented. In response to a question from a Member, the Director of the Built Environment assured the Sub Committee that access groups would be consulted on the project’s design to ensure good accessibility and mobility in the area.

Arising from the discussion, the recommendations were put to vote amongst eligible Members, who voted unanimously in favour of the recommendations.

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee:

1.    Note the additional secured £4 million funding for the project from the 2019 Capital Bid process;

2.    Note the total estimated cost of the project at £5-5.6M (excluding risk);

3.    Approve Options I, IV and V as the closure/restriction options to take forward to Gateway 4 for additional feasibility design;

4.    Agree the revised budget line amounts in Table 1 (section 3), which remain within the existing approved budget allocation of £1,583,457; and

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.