Agenda item

Idling Vehicles

Patrick Streeter asked a question of the Chairman of the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee concerning vehicles with idling engines.

In response, the Chairman advised that there had been no prosecutions for vehicle idling within the past year, due to the positive response of vehicle drivers and restrictions around the legal action that could be taken. Despite this, much work had been undertaken by officers, the Police and with other local authorities to tackle the issue; the Chairman had also met with the relevant Minister to appeal for changes to legislation, thereby increasing the Corporation’s ability to take action.

In response to a supplementary question from Brian Mooney, the Chairman advised that data relating to pollution at Smithfield Market could be shared with interested Members upon request.

In answer to a further supplementary question from Deputy Stanley Ginsburg, the Chairman also agreed to ask officers to explore the possibility of monitoring pollution levels at Middlesex Street.

Blackfriars Bridge

Andrew McMurtrie asked a question of the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee concerning Blackfriars Bridge.

In response, the Chairman reported that programmed maintenance work to the Bridge was two years overdue, having been delayed to facilitate speedier completion of the works on the adjacent rail bridge and the building of the new Blackfriars station itself.

Separate discussions concerning the Thames Tideway Tunnel (TTT) were also due to conclude shortly, to ensure that any maintenance work was feasible alongside the TTT plans.

Subject to the outcome of these discussions, investigatory works were now underway to prepare for the overdue maintenance programme for Blackfriars Bridge, with works planned to begin in early 2016.