Agenda item

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 17 January 2023.

RESOLVED, That the public minutes of the meeting of 17 January be approved as an accurate record of the proceedings subject to the following amendments:

100 Minories Phase Two: Public Realm Enhancements (pages 39-54 of the agenda pack)

The sentence, ‘A Member asked for further clarification on the permeable paving to be used that limited water going into drains.’ Be amended to read, ‘A Member asked for further clarification on the permeable paving (that comprises resin/rubber material) to be used that allows some rainwater to pass directly into the ground, thereby reducing storm water flow into sewers.’

Vision Zero Plan 2023-2028 (pages 191-200 of the agenda pack)

The wording of the minute be revised to read as follows –

‘The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, Environment.

A discussion ensued, during which the following points were made:

-        Focus should be concentrated going forward on safe behaviours – approximately 50% of City accidents are caused by inattention, there are a significant minority of cyclists who flout the highway code and pedestrians who put themselves and others at risk by using their smart phones when crossing busy streets.

-        A commitment to eliminate KSIs by 2040 is unachievable – this is an admirable aspiration which should be maintained - but we should not be committing to outcomes that we know are unrealistic.

-        Proper enforcement of existing speed limits is critical, otherwise the benefit of recent reductions to 20mph is reduced;

-        Lower speeds reduce the incidence of serious injury in the event of a collision;

-        Consistent speed limits across boroughs would be welcome;

-        A cyclist could reasonably expect to travel at 15mph so if the speed limit was reduced to 15mph, cyclists would feel safer and this would encourage cycling;

-        Speed-limiting devices are currently fitted to about a third of TfL buses travelling through the City;

-        It is important for the City to continue to be accessible to vehicles, particularly for those servicing our businesses;

-        Further low-tech measures including pedestrian refuges which help traffic-calming are worth considering; and 

-        There are fewer pedestrian barriers and more dropped kerbs in the City than there used to be, which has altered the pedestrian environment.

A Member disagreed with elements of the draft Plan, noting the change of classification of serious injury and the cumulative effect to the City of the action points, including speed reductions that could negatively impact vehicle movement.

A Member asked whether evidence was available to support a reduction from 20mph to 15mph. The Committee heard that such figures were not currently available and heard that research strongly suggested that speed reductions reduced injuries. The Committee asked for further data on the impact of a reduction from 20mph to 15mph.

RESOLVED, That the Committee agree with the recommendation to progress the draft Vision Zero Plan to the Police Authority Board and to the Planning & Transportation Committee for further consideration, noting the points made above.’

Matters Arising

A Member advocated for reducing the speed limit in the City to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries. The Chairman stated that the Sub-Committee had requested more data on the benefits of changing the speed limit from 20mph to 15mph. An officer confirmed that at the last meeting the Sub-Committee had requested that further data be provided in the report being submitted to the next Planning and Transportation Committee meeting. This data would be provided in the reports to the next Police Authority Board and the Planning and Transportation Committee meeting.