Agenda item

To consider the report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, Environment.

A Member asked why Golden Lane was not a school street and sought clarification on the process for achieving school street status. The meeting heard that a combination of traffic mitigation measures and restrictions would be in place, and that the process involved seeking a Traffic Order to close a specific street around school start and finish times.  The meeting noted that parents with children were likely to have a view on option 1c and the increased traffic on Golden Lane, and that it was important that those voices be heard.

A Member asked what would be the cost of the consultation under option 1c, noting that many people would be unhappy with the probable rat run that would result from that option. The meeting heard that the consultation exercise would cost around £35K to £40K, noting that the City of London had been criticised in the past for perceived inadequate consultation on Beech St, and that it was unhelpful to second-guess the outcome of any consultation.

A Member asked whether a timeframe was required in order to align with Healthy Streets and asked whether the Healthy Streets programme would encompass the school street process. The meeting heard that London Borough of Islington (LBI) was reallocating resources to the Healthy Streets programme to prioritise Healthy Streets.

A Member asked how the LBI was able to apparently dictate the consultation options to the City of London, commenting that option 1c was a narrow area of consultation and that the public was being excluded from all options. The meeting heard that LBI was unwilling to support consulting on options 1a and 1b and that LBI would not be implementing the measures set out in those options.  The meeting heard that a notification in line with the Traffic Management Act 2004 was being implemented, and that any change to Beech St would need to be submitted to TfL, as Beech St traffic was assigned in line with the Strategic Road Network which would require support from the neighbouring borough.  

A Member commented that option 1c was a long way from what was desired by the City of London as it did not provide a traffic-free zone, and there was a risk of a rat run being created. 

A Member commented that were option 1c to go ahead following a consultation, a zero-emission street on Beech St would not be achieved but commented that stakeholders’ perspectives were welcome, that the City of London was keen to progress the issue, and that future co-operation with LBI would be critical to achieving healthy streets.  The meeting noted that option 1c together with making Golden Lane a school street could deliver a palatable outcome.

RESOLVED, That the Sub-Committee agree to proceed with Option 1c for public consultation for a zero-emission scheme on Beech Street that keeps the Golden Lane / Beech Street junction open to all southbound vehicles, noting that the left turn from Beech Street into Golden Lane would only be available to zero emission vehicles.