Issue - meetings

ES20138

The Assistant Director for Traffic and Parking attended to provide the update regarding the Crofton Road Pedestrian and Cycling Route Review. This scheme was a matter of significant public interest and it was noted that Ward Councillor Christopher Marlow would be addressing the Committee on this matter.

The Assistant Director explained that this scheme first came to the Committee in 2017 and then went out for consultation; as a result of this a number of modifications were made to the scheme. The main aim of the scheme had been to provide a cycle route, to make the route safe for pedestrians, reduce traffic congestion and to reduce pollution. 

Councillor Marlow (Ward Member) thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to respond as the only Ward Councillor on the Committee. He stated that his fellow Ward Councillors (Cllrs Charles Joel and Cllr Robert Evans) were also in attendance and that the view that he was expressing was a collective Ward Councillor view.

Cllr Marlow stated that due to the demographics of the Farnborough and Crofton Ward, the Ward Councillors were of the view that cycling would never be significant in this Ward and resultantly the pedestrian and cycling route project did not represent good value for money. Although it was the case that funding from this project did not come directly from Bromley taxpayers, it was still the case that all Councillors had a duty to safeguard the public purse. Cllr Marlow pointed out that the scheme had been supported by the PDS Committee and authorised by the Portfolio Holder without the support of Ward Councillors.

Cllr Marlow paid tribute to the hard work of the Crofton Residents’ Association (CRA) which had resulted in positive changes to the scheme being made. This included the alteration of the stretch of road from Crofton Lane to Locksbottom was altered which meant that as well as providing cycling infrastructure, a renovated foot path was also installed. Another significant positive change was the provision of additional zebra crossings. The final positive contribution arising from the work of the CRA was a net increase in the number of trees planted.

Cllr Marlow commented on the consultation and construction process. There had been a two stage consultation process in 2017 and 2019. He said that the second consultation process that had taken place in 2019 could have been made more inclusive. 

Cllr Marlow stated that the Rain Gardens that were due to incorporate much of the scheme’s vegetation had been left empty for months and that Crofton Road was now significantly narrower as a result of the scheme. He said that if a bus was parked by York Rise, it was now very difficult for other vehicles to pass safely. This was exacerbated when a driver changeover was taking place—this was now being looked into by TfL. Widening the road at this point would make it safer to overtake. He expressed the view that the two way cycle lane on the York Rise side was a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 150