Decision details

Dale Foden, Head of Highways, presented the report provided on planned Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) schemes.

Lucy Saunders, Director, Healthy Streets Ltd, Guy’s and St Thomas Trust Charity (GSTTC), who are providing funding for Southwark’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN) schemes, presented on GSTTC funding objectives for the schemes.

The chair then invited questions and the following points were made:

§  Several councillors have received informational briefings on local schemes from officers, and representations from local constituents on a range of issues.

§  The selection criterion for schemes is:

o  High child obesity

o  Poor air quality, particularly around schools

o  High levels of social housing and deprivation

o  Higher proportions of Black ethnicity

o  Schools

o  Local parks

§  There will be robust evaluation of the GSTTC schemes with 20% of the budget assigned to this, which is much higher than usual. This is in order to inform future learning in Southwark and London wide. The evaluation will look at changes in behaviour, such as increased walking and cycling, on the streets with schemes as well as adjacent streets. The number of car journeys will also be monitored.

§  The evaluations will not include measuring air quality as there is not a robust methodology at local level to monitor this.

§  Members raised concerns that information on the number of parking permits and parking spaces on street and in estates is outstanding from the previous administrative year. Officers explained that providing this poses some data challenges, however if an area has a CPZ is relatively easy to get that information.

§  Potential displacement of traffic onto main roads by the schemes will be monitored, with control areas.  What usually happens with LTNs is there are a reduction in short journeys, which is usually perceptible quite quickly. The schemes will be reviewed at 6 months. GSTCC have worked with the Head of Highways to identify likely displacement and mitigate this in advance. Work with Route Planner is part of this.  

§  This is a very unusual time with Covid 19 and the recommendations to not use public transport.

§  Once the evidence is back Southwark can look at impact on public health, and decide if the council want to take forward, modify, or not make permanent and replicate. GSTTC will be providing data tools to evaluate the impact on obesity, life expectancy and other measures.

§  Members advocated for bike hangers to be installed to reduce and replace car parking spaces and asked about the budget for this and if other measures would be employed to increase cycling , such as training. GSTCC said there work  is not aimed at directly increasing cycling, however officers said there was complementary work on promoting cycling including doubling the provision of cycling hangers.

§  Social justice and the impact on the BME community was brought up as a concern, particularly the risk of displacement around schools and on main roads.  Oliver Goldsmiths School was provided as an example and the importance of providing safe, lower pollution  walks along main roads to get to schools. GSCTTC and officers agreed this was a priority.

RESOLVED

Officers were requested to provide information on CPZs, parking permits and parking spaces, both on estates and street kerbside, by Ward.