Agenda item

Report of the Interim Executive Director Environment.

Members considered a report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment concerning the King William Street Transformation and Programme Updates as part of the Pedestrian Priority Streets.

Members were informed that scheme would include wider footways, a narrowed carriageway to 6.4m, the minimum for two-way buses, greening and substantial tree planting, new side entry treatments where they were not already in place to help people walking and wheeling, raised carriageway tables at King William Street at the junction with Lombard Street and Nicholas Lane junctions to complement the London Underground step-free accesses, two purpose built inset loading bays. The scheme accounted for TfL’s plans at Monument Junction so less work would be required on the City Network as part of that. It was proposed to start work in Summer 2024 and for work to last for 18 months.

In response to the Chairman’s question about the local Members consulted and their responses, the Officer stated that there had been minor comments about design elements e.g. street furniture but there was support from all the Members consulted. Following a Member’s question about specific feedback given, the Officer stated that there had been comments about the Lombard Street Corner and the number of people using the London Underground entrance. Officers had responded to the feedback and they would continue with design work on this corner. There were also comments on the cycle stands and trees. In response to a Member’s question, the Officer confirmed that black taxis at Bank Junction had not been raised.

In response to Members’ questions, the Officer confirmed that surveys had been undertaken and trees could be planted and the bicycle racks would be Sheffield stands. Also, the inset loading bay loading restrictions mirrored others in the area. Due to the bays being located on the footway, the restrictions sought to avoid peak hours when the footways were busiest.

A Member asked how the Bank Junction decision due to be made by the Court of Common Council in June 2024 would impact upon this scheme. The Officer stated that the design of this scheme would not change regardless of the Bank Junction decision.

A Member asked for confirmation that, if a decision was taken to reopen Bank Junction to black taxis, this would not impact on the design of this scheme. An Officer stated that it would not. He added that Bank Junction did not have 24 hours restrictions in place and therefore vehicle movement was allowed through the junction.

The Chairman asked if there would be any changes to the vehicle restrictions and the Officer responded that in this scheme, there would be no changes to the Traffic Management Order (TMO) that was previously approved. There would be changes to the waiting and loading restrictions.

A Member asked for details on the improved drainage system. The Officer stated that current King William Street was serviced by four drain covers along its 400m length. A more contemporary drainage system would be installed. There would not be an increase in the highways drainage as there would still be the same amount of water, but the extended footways would be accommodated. The Officer confirmed that the high-level drainage would be replaced, but the actual drainage system this would go into, would not change.

The Chairman asked if there would be a pedestrian controlled crossing at the Monument junction end of the street. Members were informed that Officers had worked with TfL and their Safer Junctions team who were designing Monument junction. They planned to consult after the mayoral elections. Officers had designed a scheme that was ready for that project. The Officer stated that the crossing would be improved and moved back so a dropped kerb could be accommodated. It would be an informal crossing with a temporary traffic island until the Monument Junction work was completed and then pedestrian controlled lights would be installed. The Officer stated that the phasing of Monument Junction did not currently allow for a full green man crossing. The system being built would enable TfL to put signals in as part of their scheme.

In response to the Chairman’s questions about the phasing of the scheme, an Officer stated that work would start at the southern end and move towards the northern end, working on roughly a third of the street at a time. There would be some full closures of the street to allow for resurfacing and this would be undertaken at the least disruptive times. The Officer stated that there would be no southbound traffic on King William for 18 months to allow for the working space. Northbound access for motor vehicles, pedestrian access and accessibility access would be retained as best as possible at all times throughout the scheme apart from during resurfacing work. Work was taking place with TfL on the diversion route for buses. Work was also taking place on diversions and phasing plans for cycles and motor vehicles. An Officer stated that there would be publicity and a briefing note on the details of the works and Members of the Sub-Committee would be provided with this in advance.

RESOLVED – That Members of the Sub-Committee

1.        Approve the final highway and public realm design for King William Street (shown in Appendices 2, 3 and 4 of the Officer report) which widens the pavements on both sides of the street, allows for the planting of a number of street trees, the provision of some seating and reconstruction of the carriageway;

2.        Approve the requested overall budget of £5,756,690 (an increase of £3,572,261, excluding costed risk and maintenance, funded by previously approved funding) to implement the King William Street Transformation and continue work on the rest of the programme;

3.        Approve the Costed Risk Register in Appendix 5 and the requested increase of the Costed Risk Provision from £417,200 to £518,000 (an increase of £100,800) for the entire programme, and that the Executive Director Environment is delegated to authorise the drawdown of funds from this register;

4.        Approve the commuted maintenance budget of £87,000 for the trees on King William Street. This is to be funded by the Cool Streets & Greening Programme funding which is included in this overall budget; and

5.        Agree that the Corporate Programme Management Office, in consultation with the Chairman of the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee and Chief Officer as necessary, is to decide whether any project issues or decisions that falls within the remit of paragraph 45 of the ‘City of London Project Procedure – Oct 2023’ (Changes to Projects: General), as prescribed in Appendix 6 of this report, is to be delegated to Chief Officer or escalated to committee(s).