Agenda item

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

A report of the Director of the Built Environment was considered in respect of Ludgate Hill crossing review (30 Old Bailey).

In response to a question, Members were informed that recent research had shown that the hard barriers that were commonly used to separate pedestrians from vehicles had resulted in more serious collisions and injuries.  As a result of this research, most of the hard barriers had been removed.

During discussion, the following points were raised –

·        The previous proposal for a signalled crossing at the junction with Ave Maria Lane was found not to be feasible as the success of this option was dependent on the relocation of adjacent bus stops and servicing activity and this was not considered practical within the scope of this project.

·        A Member expressed concern that light pollution from the traffic signals might affect the illumination of St Paul’s Cathedral.

·        One Member considered there were issues caused as a result of tourist buses slowing down to allow their passengers to take photographs of St Paul’s.

·        Some Members considered that the trail should not take place, as traffic modelling had shown that signals would not be beneficial to the flow of traffic.

·        Transport for London were keen to pursue the trial to establish the reasons for the delays to buses.

·         One Member suggested that Transport for London might wish to fund the trial.

Members noted Officers support for the implementation of a 12 month trial of a signalled crossing.

RESOLVED – That,

a)     Option 1 be progressed on a trial basis for a period of 12 months provided that officers were successful in seeking funding from Transport for London, in order to allow Officers to monitor the performance of the signalised crossing and the results reported to Members in due course. 

b)     If funding was not forthcoming from Transport for London, Officers be requested to report back to a future meeting with a proposal based on the use of Section 106 funding.