Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of the Commons.

Members were informed that in March 2015 the Committee considered and approved ‘in principle’ a proposal to install a signalled pedestrian crossing on the A232 Croydon Road at West Wickham Common. Members had authorised the Superintendent of The Commons to liaise with Transport for London (TfL) on the proposal to minimise its impact on the Open Space as far as is reasonably practicable. Finally, Members had instructed the Superintendent to report back on the outcome of TfL’s public consultation with more detailed proposals to clarify any subsequent requirement to dedicate land for highway use.

Members received a brief presentation from colleagues from TfL. A Member raised a query regarding the future requirement of the land. Officers informed Members that the City is required to enter into deeds of dedication with TfL and the London Borough of Bromley, as the two relevant highway authorities, in order to formally dedicate the land in question as highway maintainable at public expense. If in the future the land to be dedicated is no longer required for highway purposes then, under the proposed terms of those agreements, the highway authority shall use all reasonable endeavours to secure the stopping up of that land as soon as practicable and return it to the City for use as open space.

A Member queried whether compensatory land of a suitable quality and location would be offered by TfL, however Officers confirmed that it had not been offered. Discussions ensued regarding the speed limit on the road, and whether it would be beneficial to reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph. Members agreed that it would be helpful to request TfL to consider reducing the speed limit on the A232.

The Committee requested that the Superintendent of the Commons worked closely with the Superintendent of Epping Forest when considering the future of very busy road through Waltham Abbey.

Resolved – that Members:

i. Approved, in principle, TfL’s plan to install a signalled pedestrian crossing on the A232 Croydon Road at West Wickham Common and agree to dedicate land at West Wickham Common as public highway based on the details provided.

ii. Delegate authority to the Superintendent to agree the relocation of the existing Thames Water main on the Common, in consultation with the City

Surveyor and Comptroller & City Solicitor.

iii. Authorised the Comptroller & City Solicitor to complete all necessary agreements including deeds of dedication with TfL and the London Borough of Bromley and a licence with Thames Water.