Agenda item

A report of the Director of the Built Environment was considered in respect of the Middlesex Street Area Project.

During discussion, reference was made to the following –

·        Consultation process - Members were informed that as part of the consultation processes issues in respect of the enhancement of areas, co-ordination of maintenance, licensing and trespassing had arisen.  Issues such as the positioning of tables and chairs would be addressed as part of the detailed design stage.

·        Design - Members were advised that the design of the carriageway would be similar to those at Whitecross Street and Cheapside. 

·        Signage – As part of the project, signage on Widegate Street had been accounted for.

·        Christmas lights – In response to a question, the Assistant Director advised that Officers were looking at the capital costs being borne by the City and discussions around on-going maintenance costs for the lights were being undertaken between the Corporation and the market traders.

·        The use of York Stone was queried and the Assistant Director advised that by varying the module of the York Stone and in this case reducing it, this would mitigate the risk of cracking where there were high levels of trafficking.

Members were informed that Option 3 under Financial Implications on page 18 of the report should read – “The first five years maintenance costs (£815,000) for the new planting…”

RESOLVED – That,

a)     new signage and way finding in the project area be implemented and funded by £6,000 from 201 Bishopsgate Section 106 agreement;

b)     Phase 1 of the project proceed to Gateway 5 (authorisation to start works) and be funded by £96, 571 from 201 Bishopsgate Section 106 agreement;

c)     Option 2 be approved at a total cost between £850,000 to £932,000 to be funded by 201 Bishopsgate Section 106 agreement;

d)     Temporary traffic experiments be carried out in Widegate Street, Sandy’s Row and Fort Street, the outcomes of which to be reported as part of the next Gateway; and

e)     Phase 2 of the project be approved to proceed to Gateway 4/5 at a future date.