Agenda item

A Member reported that there was TfL bus stop in King William Street that was moved to its current location whilst 33 King William Street was being built and while work was being undertaken on Arthur Street. The Member stated that its current location was inconvenient to road users and pedestrians. The Member requested that representation be made to return the bus stop to its previous location. Officers agreed to make representations to TfL.

A Member stated that TfL were undertaking consultation in relation to Arthur Street being closed to regular traffic and allowing cyclists to use it. An Officer stated that TfL were leading the consultation as they had the statutory duty to return the streets back to public use following their work. The Officer stated there were TfL junctions at the top and bottom of Arthur Street and as the street was a City street, TfL required the City’s agreement to return the street to public use. Officers considered that a report should be submitted to the Sub-Committee and a recommendation made back to TfL as the City was fundamental to the decision. The Officer advised that the way the area was now operating had changed as there was previously a weight limit at the beginning of the north side of London Bridge and this led to Arthur Street being used as a through route prior to the work being started. This weight limit had now been removed but instead there was a traffic order from TfL to restrict traffic on London Bridge to buses and taxis. This would mean that if the traffic order continued, Arthur Street would not return to being used as a through route. Officers would submit a report to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee. Officers would discuss this with TfL to ensure that no action was taken until the City had considered this and responded. An Officer advised that until the shaft work had been completed, the other works could not progress.

A Member asked about how the works in Crutched Friars were progressing as residents were concerned about frequent gas leaks. An Officer stated that he would raise this matter with the relevant Officers and provide Members with an update.

A Member commented that the signage in Hart Street required improving to avoid unnecessary reversing.

A Member referred to the trees at 22 Bishopsgate which were removed during the development but had not been replaced. An Officer stated that an update would be provided.

A Member raised concern that the lifts at Bank Station were closed at weekends which meant some people were unable to use the station. She stated that many people used this station as it was advertised as an accessible station and if it was not accessible at weekends, the notices should be updated. If it was possible to get the lifts working at weekends, this should be done.

A Member informed the Sub-Committee that in relation to Moor Lane there was an area called the pot garden which had been in the scope of the project but had now been removed. She requested that this be added back into the scope of the project. An Officer stated that Officers had concerns that it might not be possible to spend some of the Section 106 money on this area as it was in the Barbican Estate and this was being investigated. The Officer stated that she appreciated the disruption residents had experienced with 21 Moorfields and acknowledged that the scheme was launched in 2011 and was still not delivered. Officers were requested to ensure that the project information being presented was accurate and that the project was being moved forward as rapidly as possible.

A Member advised Officers about the lack of plants in two plant pots on the corner of Little Britain, Montague Street and King Edward Street. Officers would raise this with those responsible for the pots. The Officer stated that there had to be a balance in terms of the size of plants and trees and ensuring the plants thrived.

A Member referred to the Little Britain and Bart Square development. She reported that due to hard surfaces, noise was a problem. She suggested that trees be planted in pots to absorb some of the sound. A Member stated that using deliveries by electric vehicles could help to reduce noise. An Officer responded that the Transport Strategy was a broad document covering concerns such as these. He advised that often materials which led to less noise pollution were less affordable, harder to maintain and had a shorter lifespan so their use had to be carefully considered. The Officer stated that in the Transport Strategy refresh, issues such as communication, engagement and consolidation of deliveries for larger businesses, the impact of climate change and sustainability would be considered.

A Member stated the importance of having multi-level signage to indicate pedestrian walkways at higher levels. An Officer stated that there were previously multi-level isometric drawings on light boxes that helped people navigate to the Barbican upper tiers. The difficulties with these, were that every time there was a major change, they became out of date. The Officer advised that with the Barbican Project there was the opportunity to discuss multi-level signage, costs and funding with the Barbican. The City of London Corporation had signed up to Legible London, the strategic signage strategy. A Member stated that proposed inserts for the light box signage had not materialised. The Chairman stated that using these could be a possible solution.

A Member asked a question about the status of the pedestrian walkway with the Smithfield shutdown. He raised concern that there was a blind corner and stated that the walkway should be reopened as soon as possible. An Officer stated that works were underway and Officers would request that the pedestrian walkway be reopened as soon as possible.

A Member asked about the way in which the works at Bank Junction were taking place and whether another method e.g., focusing on one or two locations at a time to complete them and reopen them more quickly, would minimise disruption. He also raised concern about the lack of signage showing the end state. An Officer stated that much consideration had gone into the way the works were being completed. The broad programme was to complete all the work that did not include pedestrianisation of Threadneedle Street before the Lord Mayor’s Show in November 2023 and the full completion of work was scheduled for May 2024. Priority was being given to health and safety. There were constraints on working hours and noisy working hours with quiet work having to be undertaken around the noisy working hours, often at a different part of the junction. Members were informed that there were three teams working on the site and this was considered the optimal number. The current phase was the most complex and intensive and would last until June or July 2023. After that, the focus would be on the area outside Mansion House. As soon as an area was complete, it would be reopened. The Officer advised that there had been a delay with the hoardings but this had now been resolved and the hoardings should be in place by 17 March. Communication was taking place with nearby businesses to keep them informed and the hoardings would provide passers-by with details of how the junction would look once the work was complete.

In response to a Member’s question, an Officer advised that a map of the various locations being worked on at Bank Junction could be provided to Members. This could detail when each location was scheduled to be completed and reopened. This could also be put on the Outstanding Actions list and reported on at each meeting until the work was complete.

A Member stated that cyclists were required to dismount and walk around the Bank Junction works for health and safety reasons.  Recently more cyclists were dismounting.