Agenda item

Officers will give an overview of current transport policy and practice. A report is enclosed.

Pip Howson, Team Leader Transport policy, Place and Wellbeing introduced the Movement Plan.

The chair invited questions and the following points were made:

  i.  A member asked the officer to sum up the plan in brief. She responded that the new Movement Plan is a people centric plan. The aspirations are considered to be ambitious and at the forefront amongst transport policy peers in Europe.

  ii.  The officer was asked if the plan contained targets and she responded there is a target for 80 % of people to be walking, cycling or using public transport, when undertaking a journey. The plan also integrates of health objectives, which is strength.

  iii.  A member said the plan’s aims are very good, but queried if the council had the capacity to delivery; including sufficient expertise and financial resources. The officer responded that the detail covering delivery will be in a subsequent document, with a draft expected in February. Funds are available from TFL, though this is reducing gradually, even though costs are rising. Currently the council get approximately 2 million per annual, and a combination of, physical and social projects are funded through this source, with a plan for this spending approved by Cabinet annually.

  iv.  The officer was asked about delivery and the relationship with the Highways team. She said that there is a matrix management approach with employees from highways combining with policy leads.

  v.  A member commented that transport contributes 27 % of carbon emissions and asked what the council will need to do to achieve zero carbon by 2030? The officer responded that ambitious solutions would be included:

·  Rolling out a borough wide CPZ and restricting kerbside to Electric Vehicles (EV)

·  Ensure that almost nobody owns a car - but where they do it is an EV

·  All car clubs are EV

·  Council fleet is EV and only contracting with providers using EV

·  Cargo bikes are the preference for moving goods, where feasible.

  vi.  She added all the above are dependent on partners and are a challenge in democracy, and where extensive consultation is required for every policy change.

  vii.  A member cautioned against the approach of devolving choices to individuals given the risks associated with Air quality and Climate Change, and asked instead how the council can actively discourage car driving. The officer responded that that there is a requirement to consult extensively; however this is also about the political leadership required for significant change.

 viii.  A member added that given our public health responsibility members ought to be setting  a vision, and this ought to include the that a  car ought the be a vehicle of last resort. The officer agreed that we do need clear political leadership, particularly when there is push back on car parking provision.  She added that officers have been insisting that all new housing schemes are advertised as car free on Old Kent Road, so clear expectations are set in advance. 

  ix.  A member commented that Canada Water is still allowing cars. The officer responded that she could not comment on that in detail as her role is focused on the Old Kent Road. She offered to respond to any additional questions in a follow report.

  x.  There was a discussion about the capacity to dive change speedily. The officer said the process for highway change requires an initial consultation, followed by a formal consultation, and this must address any formal objections. She commented that the system is quite cumbersome. She said this procedure could be looked at to see if changes could be introduced more swiftly. Highways would need to look at the existing process in more detail. Members indicated that they would take away the point about cumbersome procedure slowing change, and the need to address this if the council is to deliver on a more radical ambition. 

  xi.  The officer was asked about the delivery of pocket projects, and why only 2/4 has been delivered. The officers said that delayed and blockages from TfL have stalled projects.

  xii.  There was a discussion about political will and political pressure .Members that they are  lobbied by residents in car free developments. They suggested that the adverts in Southwark Life advertising this coming Saturday as a car free days are setting an unhelpful tone, and queried if these are still needed? The officer said that the council have to balance the need for thriving highstreets, however she added that there are alternatives that could be promoted, for example cargo bikes in London Bridge and many other ideas.

 xiii.  Members commented that there is a gap between aspirations of the Movement Plan and the delivery, which would need to be closed to reach zero carbon emissions.