Minutes:
Paul Symonds, Assistant Director: Transport and Highways provided an update on major transport projects impacting Bromley Borough.
It was an existing corporate priority to lobby for the extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Bromley North, which would improve connectivity to Canary Wharf for Bromley residents and help reduce commuter pressure on Victoria and London Bridge Stations. Transport for London had undertaken evaluation studies of the scheme, and no decision on funding for the £800m scheme had yet been made, but the cost benefit analysis would be critical, with Transport for London seeking added value of 50% greater than cost for successful schemes.
Alternate rail schemes in the Borough included the extension of London Overground to Bromley North, which was significantly cheaper than the proposed extension of the Docklands Light Railway as it would use existing infrastructure and be relatively quick to deliver. The extension of the Bakerloo tube line to Hayes had also been proposed, which could include a link between Beckenham and Bromley North, and would require analysis by Transport for London on the usage of the Hayes (Kent) line.
The potential to extend the Croydon Tramlink from Beckenham Junction to Crystal Palace and, subsequently, to Bromley North, was also under consideration by Transport for London as a means of improving orbital connectivity.
Transport for London would be briefing the Mayor of London on the full range of proposed rail schemes across London in Spring 2014, and the Local Authority would be meeting with Transport for London around the analysis of usage of the Hayes (Kent) line.
A number of road improvements were also planned for the Borough. A scheme to widen the A21 in the section between Masons Hill and Homesdale Road had been identified within Bromley’s Local Plan. This could include the introduction of a tidal flow system in which an additional lane would be added for traffic flow in either direction, depending on demand. Modelling had also been undertaken at the junction of Widmore Road with Kentish Way with a view to increasing capacity.
In considering the range of proposed transport schemes, Sharon Baldwin, Orpington 1st BID Company suggested that the Croydon Tramlink be extended from New Addington to Biggin Hill to link in with the identification of London Biggin Hill Airport as a Strategic Outer London Development Centre in the London Plan. The potential to directly link Bromley North station with the South Eastern main line was also noted.
Dave Freeborn, George Proctor & Partners, queried if the pedestrian crossings had been reviewed at the junction of Masons Hill and Homesdale Road. The Assistant Director: Transport and Highways confirmed that Transport for London had undertaken a consultation regarding the junction and decided on revisions to pedestrian facilities, however there were no plans to remove the traffic island to the north of the junction.
The Chairman was concerned that the Shortlands Railway Bridge remained a traffic pinch point. The Assistant Director: Transport and Highways confirmed that any work to alleviate this issue would have to be taken forward as part of Network Rail’s Investment Programme and would involve major works.
RESOLVED that the update be noted.