Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director Supporting Communities

The purpose of this report is to provide details of the proposals consulted upon to improve walking, cycling and streetscape infrastructure on Midland Road between Brill Place and Euston Road, including the junction of Euston Road/Judd Street/Midland Road, the latter under the responsibility of Transport for London (TfL) as the highway authority for that section of the overall scheme.  These proposals form part of the Central London Cycle Grid, connecting key north-south cycling routes between Kentish Town, Bloomsbury and Elephant & Castle via the North-South Cycle Superhighway (CS6), which is currently under construction.  The report discusses the responses to the consultation including officer responses taking into account Camden’s Transport Strategy (CTS) objectives and finally provides recommendations for approval by the Leader of the Council. 

As the schemes were linked, the reports were introduced consecutively.  Officers added that since the publication of the agenda, 6 further written submissions had been received, as follows:- one objecting to the Midland Road/Judd Street scheme; two in support of both schemes; and 3 objecting to both schemes.  No new issues were raised by these submissions.

Having considered the deputations and the comments of officers, Councillor Gould remarked that she recognised that these were difficult issues and that there were strong views on both sides of the argument.  However, she had to consider the wider context of the safety of all road users and the air quality in the area.  Safety for those crossing the Euston Road was a key issue and she welcomed the change to the crossing arrangements there.  She was also satisfied that there were suitable emergency access arrangements.  She was content to agree the recommendations in relation to both schemes, but wished to see a steering group set up with interested parties, including residents and local businesses, to monitor the impacts.  She also wished Transport for London to investigate providing straight across pedestrian crossings on Euston Road and report back to her on its findings.

ACTION BY:             Director of Regeneration and Planning / Transport for London

It was then

RESOLVED –

Central London Grid, Brunswick Square – Proposed Cycling and Walking Improvements

(i)            THAT the results of the public consultation on cycling and walking improvement proposals to the Brunswick Square area in the context of surrounding schemes be noted;

(ii)          THAT the assessment of the traffic impacts of the scheme, as set out in Appendix C of the report, be noted;

(iii)         THAT the legal comments of the Borough Solicitor be noted and the Equality Impact Assessment which is appended to the report be considered and noted, having had due regard to the needs set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010; and

(iv)         THAT approval be given to proceed with the implementation of the scheme as recommended in Option 2 (Section 3) of this report, subject to detailed design and compliance with statutory processes.

Proposed Walking and Cycling Improvements: Midland Road and Judd Street Junction

(i)            THAT the results of the public consultation on cycling and walking improvement proposals to the Midland Road project area in the context of surrounding schemes be noted;

(ii)          THAT the assessment of the traffic impact of the scheme as set out in Appendix C of the report be noted;

(iii)       THAT the legal comments of the Borough Solicitor be noted and the Equality Impact Assessment which is appended in this report under Appendix D be considered and noted, having due regard to the needs set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010;

(iv)       THAT approval be given to proceed with the implementation of the scheme as recommended in Option 2 (Section 3) of the report, subject to detailed design and compliance with statutory processes; and

(v)          THAT approval in principle be given for those elements of the proposals under the remit of Transport for London as Highway Authority to enable works under the remit of the London Borough of Camden as Highway Authority.

ACTION BY:             Director of Regeneration and Planning

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the reports.