Agenda item

Report ES18026

In reporting progress on the above Quietway, Report ES18026 outlined recent consultation outcomes on the route including a summary of non-questionnaire comments and responses from the London Cycling Campaign, Lewisham Cyclists, and the Metropolitan Police. Many consultation comments would help refine designs during the detailed design process and travel information would be evidence for future scheme development. 

Approval was sought for the route’s construction and interventions (following public consultation) and a funding application to TfL was proposed for additional interventions outlined in the report. The Executive Director of Environment and Community Services was recommended to have delegated authority for approving final designs, in consultation with Ward Members and the Portfolio Holder.  

A final estimate on scheme costs was difficult to provide in view of the Highways and Minor Works contracts being tendered. But at this stage the route’s overall cost was estimated at approximately £700k - an increase of £272.2k on previous estimates. The Executive was therefore asked to agree the increased cost and for the total sum in the capital programme to be revised to £700k (subject to TfL confirmation on the balance of funding). For some locations the proposed capital expenditure would reduce revenue maintenance funding in the medium term as assets will be renewed earlier than would have otherwise been the case.

Concerning the junction of Southend Road with Park Road and Foxgrove Road, Cllr Wells (Copers Cope) had indicated his support for closing Park Road to increase safety at the junction and reduce speed (officers also proposed modal filtering and a mini-roundabout with parallel zebra crossings to improve walking routes and the Quietway crossing Southend Road). Making the Quietway safer justified a closure of Park Road and Cllr Tickner (Copers Cope) indicated that pedestrians are hesitant to cross at the location given the safety risks. Cllr Tickner supported closing Park Road to motorised vehicles - a mini-roundabout further along the A2015 (Southend Road) at the junction with Brackley Road had proved effective and another mini-roundabout at the Southend Road/Park Road/Foxgrove Road junction would also be effective with Park Road closed. The Head of Traffic and Road Safety confirmed that Park Road could be closed and excessive driving speeds at the northern section of Copers Cope Road would also be addressed.

It was suggested that issues highlighted in responses from the London Cycling Campaign, Lewisham Cyclists and Metropolitan Police (Road Safety Engineering Unit) are dealt with first before proceeding further. A further report could then be considered when the issues are addressed - with Park Road closed in the meantime as proposed.

In regard to the Quietway crossing Beckenham Lane (A222) at Shortlands Village between Ravensbourne Avenue and Station Road, consultation was ongoing with Ward Members and more generally, the Council risked losing TfL funds for the scheme should it not be possible to deliver the current stage of development. Issues raised in consultation would be dealt with at detailed design stage with Metropolitan Police concerns taken into account. Officers had workable solutions and a preferred approach would be to delegate authority to the Director for approving final intervention designs in consultation with Ward Members and the Portfolio Holder. It had taken a long time to reach the current stage and each intervention needed to be approved by TfL who will check what was proposed. Cllr Tickner encouraged pressing ahead and securing the funds.

Cycle calming measures were proposed for the Ridley Road to Ravensbourne Road footpath as the section would be shared with pedestrians. However, measures would not provide a bump for cyclists; there might also be alternative options and this was a design detail officers will address.  

The Chairman felt the scheme already had a significant level of detail and it was important it proceeds. Members supported the report’s recommendations and the Chairman highlighted the need to consult Ward Members including consultation on conclusions (for design interventions).

RESOLVED that:

(1)  progress to date on the proposed Quietway be noted and proposals for extensions and additional interventions to strengthen the Borough’s bids to TfL be supported;

(2)  the Portfolio Holder be recommended to –

·  approve an application being made to TfL for funding the proposed additional interventions and to delegate approval of the final designs to the Executive Director of Environment and Community Services, in consultation with Ward Members and the Portfolio Holder; and

·  approve construction of the proposed route and interventions set out at section 3 of Report ES18026  following public consultation, with approval of the final designs delegated to the Executive Director of Environment and Community Services, in consultation with Ward Members and the Portfolio Holder; and

(3)  subject to confirmation of funding from TfL, the Executive be recommended to:

·  proceed with the scheme and the changes to increase the scheme costs by £272.2k to £700k within the Capital Programme to reflect the higher estimated cost of the scheme as a result of the additional interventions now proposed.