Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Environment which provided an update on the progress of the review of the traffic mix and timing restrictions at Bank Junction.

Members were informed that work was in progress and was scheduled to be completed in Spring 2024. Members were advised that the report set out four traffic mix options that had been investigated using 2022 traffic flows. This indicated that the option to reintroduce all traffic was likely to have significant traffic implications and therefore would not be feasible. However, further investigations should continue for the other three options. The Officer stated that the remaining three options included taxis, powered two wheelers or a combination of both. The Officer stated that these vehicle types were the only types of vehicles with a definition and signage related to them which could be used to restrict usage if the traffic mix was changed.

Officers advised that the next stage of work would involve traffic modelling assessments, equalities assessments, updates on collisions and the general context of the current situation in terms of the post-pandemic recovery of the area. This work would highlight the benefits and likely impacts of each of the options. A further report would be presented to the Committee in May 2023. This report would set out findings and make recommendations on which options could proceed for further design and public consultation.

The Chairman stated that the scenarios for the traffic mix were shown in Paragraph 9 on Page 21 of the Officer’s report and reiterated the Officer recommendation that the option of general traffic across Bank Junction should not be put forward for further investigation.

A Member commented that although there was signage for cyclists to dismount, many did not. He asked Officers if there could be two lanes for cyclists going east-west so cyclists had more space. Officers would provide the Member with a written response.

A Member requested that the report back to the Committee in May 2023 include full reasons for the options outlined and if there were any difficulties e.g., with the reintroduction of black taxis, this be fully explained.

The Chairman of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee advised that it was important to minimise disruption and publicise the outcome of the works.

A Member commented that the modelling was based on 21 bus routes, but the Number 11 would not be coming into the City. An Officer stated that the 21 bus services were bus routes through the modelled area as a whole and not necessarily buses through Bank Junction. The traffic modelling was based on the bus services in operation when the traffic count was undertaken. If bus routes changed, this would be taken into account in future modelling.

A Member asked Officers to clarify whether there were plans for one or more of the bus routes being temporarily diverted down London Wall to be diverted on a permanent basis. The Officer stated that she was not aware of any bus services being permanently diverted but she would check and provide a written response.

A Member suggested that On-Street Parking Reserve (OSPR) funding could be used to provide more resources to deliver the ambitious project more quickly e.g., with more staffing and more out of hours work. The Chairman advised that the Priorities Board would be meeting quarterly to determine budgets for OSPR funds and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) distribution, and it was anticipated that this would provide a more efficient process for the utilisation of funds.

An Officer stated that this item would be discussed at the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee later in the day and all Members of the Committee could be provided with an update following the discussion.

An Officer responded to points made by Members. He advised that work was taking place to improve signage and there were engineering challenges on site as there was an extreme lack of depth due to London Underground structures. Hand diggers had to be used and the public had to be allowed to continue to move through the space. In addition, there was a deadline to complete as much as possible before the Lord Mayor’s Show.

A Member referred to an original vision to take all traffic out of Bank Junction and suggested taking traffic out of Bank Junction at weekends. The Chairman stated that timings would be part of the review and consultation.

A Member requested that, although not a legal requirement, socio-economic inequality should be added to the equalities impacts of each option. An Officer stated that the incorporation of this would be discussed with the Equalities consultant.

A Member asked the likely cost if the modelling had to be undertaken again. An Officer advised that if the modelling had to be done using the previous methods, including data collection and staffing costs, would cost £400,000 to £500,000. Officers were working with TfL to see if there were other methods that could be used to reduce the costs.

RESOLVED - That the Committee

1)    Note the contents of the report;

2)    Approve that no further work on the option of introducing general traffic into Bank at all times be undertaken, based on paragraphs 14-17 of the report;

3)    Note the complexities of the work moving forward as explained in paragraphs 18 -19 and 22-26 of the report;

4)    Note the updated indicative programme of work in Appendix 1 of the report.