Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and a Sustainable Camden

Transport plays an integral part in the lives and well-being of Camden residents and those who visit, work and study in the borough. Creating healthier, greener, safer streets and travel helps improve public health and the environment, and supports local businesses and a strong, sustainable and inclusive economy. Although significant challenges remain, we have made extensive progress in delivering safer, healthier streets and travel in Camden since the Camden Transport Strategy (CTS) was adopted in 2019. Camden is currently ranked 4th amongst all London Boroughs by the independent “Healthy Streets Scorecard” assessment.

This report updates Cabinet on where we are now in delivering the current Camden transport strategy including healthier, safer streets and transport across Camden, and uses that information, alongside prioritisation methodologies, stakeholder feedback and other considerations such as funding to propose the next CTS Delivery Plan for 2025/26 to 2027/28. It also seeks approval for proposals for TfL “Local Implementation Plan” (LIP) funding bid submissions, and for further Council Capital “Healthy Streets” funding to support the 3-year plan. In the new 3-year plan we have recommended 3 new “spotlight” areas: buses, car clubs and motorcycle safety, alongside an EQIA on the new Delivery Plan.

In line with previously approved transport strategy processes, each individual project within the proposed 3-year Delivery Plan is subject to scheme-by-scheme consultation and decision-making processes, equality considerations and funding availability. We will also consider how relevant projects within the programme contribute to our three overarching themes of public health, environment, and local economy.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and a Sustainable Camden.  In response to the deputation, he remarked that the point made by the deputee about representing people who did not yet cycle was key and was at the heart of the efforts to provide a protected cycle network.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report, noting that work was already beginning on new tree planting in some areas of the borough and welcoming the contribution that this plan would make to tackling health inequalities in the Borough and the involvement of the Disability Oversight Panel.

In response to questions from Cabinet Members, Councillor Harrison confirmed that the Council wished to introduce Healthy School Streets for every school where possible, but for schools where this was not possible work would be done on greening the areas around these schools so that they received a similar level of investment in the local environment. The Head of Transport Strategy and Projects detailed some such measures that had already been taken and others that were planned for the future and added that officers were working with Transport for London on measures that could be put in place outside schools located on their network. He also commented on the focus being placed on the Council’s role in helping to make bus travel more efficient and accessible.

In response to questions from other Members present, the Head of Transport Strategy and Projects remarked that there were a number of schemes coming forward that would improve safety at the junction of Parkway and Camden High Street.  The Cabinet Member acknowledged the request to press the case for the 603 bus with the Greater London Authority and the Head of Transport Strategy and Projects gave some details of the Better Bus Partnership funding stream.  The Cabinet Member advised that there was as yet no firm timescale for the review of the workplace parking levy and remarked that, in relation to floating bus stops, guidance on these had evolved and as ever it was important to strike a balance between the needs to cyclists and other road users.  Finally, he remarked that the Council’s approach to cycle routes was to create protected infrastructure wherever possible.

The Leader then indicated his agreement with the recommendations and then

The Cabinet RESOLVED –

THAT, having considered the Equality Impact Assessment (Appendix D), and having had due regard to the needs set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010:

(i)            Progress in delivering the Camden Transport Strategy (CTS) since 2019, and the approach to developing the new 3-year CTS Delivery Plan (Appendix A of the report) be noted;

(ii)          The proposed CTS Delivery Plan for 2025/26 to 2027/28 (Appendix B2 of the report) be approved, subject to scheme-by-scheme decision, consultation and equality considerations;

(iii)         The proposed “Local Implementation Plan” (LIP) submission to Transport for London (TfL) for 2025/26 to 2027/28 (Appendix B3 of the report) be approved; and

(iv)         A total £22m of Council Capital be allocated to help fund the 3-year programme.

The Leader RESOLVED –

THAT authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Planning and a Sustainable Camden to make further revisions to the 3-year programme as required including annual TfL LIP submission up to 2027/2028.

Reasons

For the reasons set out in the report.