Agenda item

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding Cycling Quietways.

Members were advised that the number of cyclists within the City of London had trebled since 2000; lots of support and resources had been provided by the City Corporation to the Greater London Authority regarding Cycling Superhighways, with TfL covering costs. The Assistant Director of Local Transportation advised that a Programme Board formedby TfL and comprising representatives from the City Corporation and other Central London Boroughs, Royal Parks, and the Canal and River Trust had considered the City’s Quietway proposals and recommended that the Quietway proposals through the East of the City of London be reconsidered and postponed, possibly beyond 2016. The Bishops Square area would not be suitable for any cycling routes as it was a highly pedestrianised area seven days a week. Members agreed and acknowledged that the route proposals would be postponed possibly beyond 2016.

Members considered the following matters regarding the proposals:-

·         Quietways were not suited to many of the City of London streets due to their unique structure and the environment of the streets and walkways, so City-only networks should also be explored;

·         Commuting cyclists were likely to choose more direct as opposed to quieter routes and less-active cyclists may wish to travel around the City of London on a variety of different routes;

·         The proposed alternative Quietway route in the North-West of the City included Hosier Lane and Cloth Fair to avoid busy one-way streets around Smithfield Market. Cyclists should be returned to carriageways where possible rather than shared walkways with pedestrians;

·         A TfL strategic link to join up Cycle Superhighways 2 and 3 had originally been considered by TfL but was not now included in TfL’s Superhighway Business Plan which was a cause of concern.

·         The addition of new cycle Quietway signs was important but needed to be considered in the light of the City Corporation’s requirement to de-clutter streets and walkways;

·         Training, such as the City’s Attrium programme, was important for cycling in Central London to reduce the likelihood of indiscipline from cyclists;

In response to Members’ questions, the Assistant Director of Local Transportation advised that bidirectional segregated cycling lanes had recently become less popular due to safety concerns with pedestrians and interaction with other vehicles. He added that the City Corporation delivers more activities and campaigns to educate cyclists than any other Local Authority. In addition, the City Corporation was the only member of the Task Group currently on target for cost, time, and quality of work in relation to their Quietway programme.

In response to Members’ comments, the Director of Transportation and Public Realm added that funding to propose a variety of different Quietway routes within the City of London would be explored.

RESOLVED – That:-

a)    the report be noted and the changes to the Quietways network be approved;

b)    progress with the recommended measures and the undertaking of wider public consultation and detailed design, be approved;

c)    the implementation of a trial of an experimental closure of the northern end of Moor Lane be approved; and

d)    the postponement of parts of the route proposals possibly beyond 2016 be noted and agreed.