Decision details

The Southwark Fire Service Borough Commander was unable to contribute because of technical difficulties and provided apologies, however Steven Vydelingum, Southwark Fire Service road lead, did attend.

Steven Vydelingum said that there had been information provided by council officers on schemes, but interaction had been minimal. The Fire Service is keen to increase engagement as there are concerns with the increase in LTN schemes and they want to be involved in the consultation process early in order to iron out problems at the start.

The Fire Service assured members that they had been sighted on all schemes, however sometimes officer contacts at Tooley Street have not been up to date. Clarification on who to liaise with is being pursued by the Fire Service in order to improve communication with the council.

Currently Southwark Fire Service is collating information on schemes and sending these to fire stations, which may not overlay exactly with each borough, so they can do an assessment. The Fire Service priority is establishing attendance times; with a target of the first appliance taking 6 minutes to arrive, and the second 8 minutes. There approach has been to visit and look at the route, planters, barriers, access and egress and over all impact of LTNs.

Members said there had been reports of problems getting past barriers and asked about this. Steven Vydelingum said that on occasions static barriers had been problematic- however after consultation with the Fire Service these bollards were now moveable. When asked if there was a preference for moveable bollards over planters Steven Vydelingum explained this does depend, and he appreciated costs and other issues.

The Fire Service was asked what best practice would look like and Steven Vydelingum said he would take that question back to address more centrally.

RESOLVED

Steven Vydelingum undertook to outline best practice by Local Authorities in consulting the Fire Service on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods