Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director Environment.

A Member commented that some compromise might be needed in order to avoid hostile relations with London Borough of Islington (LBI), and that hybrid vehicles were a step forward.

A Member commented that Option 1c was not a sensible option and was likely to be rejected, and asked whether the City could move to an area-wide consultation alongside 1c. The meeting heard that the intention was to engage on a wider area plan, though funding was uncertain.

Members reiterated that the options presented were subject to the agreement of LBI and that good relations with LBI were important, particularly in view of the fact that CoL and LBI wanted the same outcome. A Member asked for a timeline around the consultation, and the meeting heard that further discussions were expected to be completed by mid-October 2022 around the sub options set out under Option 1. 

A Member asked whether it was just the Bunhill area that was concerned, and the meeting heard that though the Bunhill area was affected there was wider interest, commenting that there were probably more families in that area using schools and other family-related amenities than there were people concerned with vehicle access.

A Member commented that Options 1 and 2 were not mutually exclusive, though funding was an issue.

RESOLVED, That the Committee approve Option 1, as recommended, with a 4-week timetable for finalising the position with LBI. If no support from LBI is forthcoming for sub-option a or b, then a decision would be taken under Delegated Authority around option c. The Committee granted Delegated Authority to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, who agreed that Members would be consulted outside the confines of the Committee once the discussions with LBI had concluded.      

Option 1:

Undertake public consultation on a revised (permanent) zero emission scheme on Beech Street which includes three sub options, to be finalised as set out above following discussions with LBI:

a)    Closing Golden Lane to all motorised vehicles at the junction with Beech Street and installing a right-hand turn ban at the Fortune Street / Whitecross Street junction (subject to the agreement of LB Islington);

b)    Closing Golden Lane to non-zero emission vehicles at the junction with Beech Street and installing a right-hand turn ban at the Fortune Street / Whitecross Street junction (subject to the agreement of LB Islington).

c)    Keeping Golden Lane open at the junction with Beech Street to all vehicles. (Note that the left turn from Beech Street northbound into Golden Lane would only be available to zero emission vehicles).