Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

An Officer advised the Sub-Committee that Members had approved a Gateway 3 report in September 2022 which approved the taking forward of three highway layout options for further testing and assessment. He stated that since then, extensive traffic modelling had been undertaken with TfL on the three options; an engagement exercise had been undertaken with over 2,500 responses received, including key stakeholders in the project area such as St Bartholomew’s Hospital and 81 Newgate Street; cost estimation had taken place and internal funding had been secured for the project.

The Chairman advised Members that there was a non-public appendix to the report. The Chairman also stated that the conceptual proposals for the new public space at the southern end of King Edward Street would be subject to further scrutiny and there was scope for the design to change following this scrutiny.

In response to a Member’s question, an Officer advised that decision points were being accelerated where possible, with the report being considered at the June Court of Common Council rather than the July meeting as previously scheduled.

In response to a Member’s comment that TfL support would be required and a question about whether discussions had taken place with TfL, the Officer advised that discussions had taken place with both TFL Buses, and TfL’s Network Performance Team who were overseeing the traffic modelling. The preliminary modelling results were positive. Out of the three options, Option 1 performed the best as it removed the signalised junction at the southern end of the King Edward Street and the junction of Newgate Street. The Officer advised that overall Option 1 performed well in terms of bus journey times at this stage of its development for such a large-scale change. The Officer stated that TfL could see the gains for cyclists, pedestrians and public space.

RESOLVED - That the Sub-Committee

1.     Approve the progression of Option 1 that introduces: two-way working on Newgate Street and St Martin Le Grand to its junction with Angel Street; and closes the southern section of King Edward Street and the Newgate Street slip road to all vehicles to enable the creation of a new public space;

2.      Approve the progression of Option 1A that is the same as Option 1 except for the introduction of two way working on part of Montague Street;

3.       Approve Option 1/1A to continue to be developed and progressed to public consultation;

4.      Approve the concept design proposal for the new public space to be developed and progressed to public consultation;

5.      Approve re-naming the project “St. Paul’s Gyratory Transformation”;

6.      Delegate authority to the Executive Director Environment, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, to approve the (non-statutory) public

consultation content and then proceed with the public consultation, to include seeking the public’s views on the four proposed names for the new public space on King Edward Street;

7.       Note the approved financial bid for the project of up to £13,915,175 from OSPR and CIL contributions;

8.       Approve an additional budget of £1,712,050 from the OSPR to reach

           Gateway 5;

9.       Note the revised total project budget of £2,947,992 (excluding risk) to reach Gateway 5;

10.     Note the total estimated cost range of the project at £ £15-17 million;

11.    Approve the costed risk register of £280,000 in Appendix 3 and delegate authority to the Executive Director Environment to draw down funds from this;

12.     Delegate authority to the Executive Director Environment, in consultation with the Chamberlain, to make any further adjustments (above existing authority within the project procedures) between elements of the budget.