Agenda item
Communities, Localities & Cultural Services Directorate Capital Programme 2009/2010 (CAB 140/089)
Decision:
Councillor Rofique U. Ahmed declared a personal interest in Agenda item 6.3 “Communities, Localities & Cultural Services Directorate Capital Programme 2009/10”. The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Councillor Ahmed was a Board Member - Olympic Delivery Authority - Planning Decision Team.
Councillor S Islamdeclared a personal interest in Agenda item 6.3 “Communities Localities & Cultural Services Directorate Capital Programme 2009/2010”. The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to the Authority’s Capital Programme for Highways, Councillor Islam had a suggestion to make regarding the inclusion of a scheme relating to John Scurr Primary School in the Capital Programme and Councillor Islam was a school governor at John Scurr primary school.
Resolved:
1. That the schemes listed in appendices A & B to the report (CAB 140/089) be included within the Communities Localities & Cultural Services Directorate’s 2009/2010 Capital Programme;
2 That, subject to the identification of available funding, as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report, (CAB 140/089), the Capital Estimates (sum specified in estimated scheme cost column) be adopted for the schemes as outlined in Appendices A & B to the report, (CAB 140/089);
3. That that the Council’s Measured Term Contracts be used for the implementation of the Transportation and Highways Works where appropriate; and
4. That the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture, give consideration to future inclusion of the following in the Communities, Localities and Culture Capital Programme:
· Improvements to the highway in the vicinity of the entrance to John Scurr Primary School, Bethnal Green, to increased pedestrian safety.
· Installation of a pedestrian crossing in proximity to Bangabhandu Primary School, Bethnal Green.
· Improvements to the highway in the vicinity of New Road, Whitechapel and Kobi Nazrul Primary School, to increased pedestrian safety.
Action by
CORPORATE DIRECTOR COMMUNITIES, LOCALITIES AND CULTURE
(S . HALSEY)
Finance Manager, Communities, Localities & Culture (L. Cully)
Minutes:
Councillor Rofique U. Ahmed declared a personal interest in Agenda item 6.3 “Communities, Localities & Cultural Services Directorate Capital Programme 2009/10”. The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Councillor Ahmed was a Board Member - Olympic Delivery Authority - Planning Decision Team.
Councillor S Islamdeclared a personal interest in Agenda item 6.3 “Communities Localities & Cultural Services Directorate Capital Programme 2009/2010”. The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to the Authority’s Capital Programme for Highways, Councillor Islam had a suggestion to make regarding the inclusion of a scheme relating to John Scurr Primary School in the Capital Programme and Councillor Islam was a school governor at John Scurr primary school.
Mr Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture, at the request of the Chair, in introducing the report:
· Briefly summarised salient points contained therein, drawing the attention of members of the Cabinet to the schemes proposed for inclusion in the Communities, Localities and Culture (CLC) 2009/10 Capital Programme, as detailed in Appendix A and B to the report; and also to the element of these funded by London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
· Addressed the matters raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 7th April 2009, in relation to the report; as set out in the tabled sheet of questions and comments presented by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee earlier in the proceedings.
A discussion followed which focused on the following points:-
· The focus on pedestrian and cycling related schemes was welcomed in the context of a recognised need to improve such provision. It was however requested that use of the allocated resources be expeditiously progressed in 2009/10.
· In referring to the proposed scheme, detailed at page 2 of Appendix A to the report, for a cycle contra-flow at Old Ford Road, Councillor Peck reported that cyclists had complained to him that drivers were breaking the 20mph limit along Old Ford Road, and this was in fact exacerbated by the central reservations which had been installed to slow traffic, but which actually forced speeding cars towards the kerb. Speed surveys requested by Councillor Peck, Lead Member Resources and Performance, had proved that the 20mph limit was regularly being exceeded but Highways had concluded that no action should be taken. Councilllor Peck requested the Corporate Director Communities Localities and Culture to review this decision, with a view to increasing safety for cyclists.
· Considered that the pedestrian crossing on Grove Road was very dangerous. In this context a fatal accident, several year’s ago, and a serious accident when an elderly resident had been knocked down on the crossing by a vehicle, was noted. Councillor Peck, Lead Member Resources and Performance, had pursued this matter and in particular the potential to convert the zebra crossing to a pelican crossing, with Transport for London (TfL), but without success. In this context the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture, was requested to take up this matter with TfL.
· Considered that the pedestrian crossing at the junction of Mile End Road and Burdett Road was dangerous. In this context a fatal accident, shortly after Christmas 2008, when a woman had been killed on the crossing, was noted. Members had been indicating TfL for some months prior to the recent accident that the crossing was dangerous (because it is a busy arterial route and also a very busy pedestrian crossing used by people to access the nearby underground station), however TfL had responded that the crossing did not meet their criteria for undertaking improvements to the crossing (ie a death or serious injury). It was noted that despite the recent fatality TfL were still not taking appropriate action to improve the pedestrian crossing. In this context the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture, was requested to take up this matter with TfL.
· In referring to Appendix B to the report, the following initiatives were welcomed:
o The prioritisation of capital investment in parks and in particular £460,000 in Bethnal Green Gardents.
o The proposed £255,000 of capital investment for the refurbishment of Bancroft Library, to provide a home of a fitting standard for the Local History Archive.
o The investment of £500,000 in CCTV to prevent crime.
· Clarification was sought and given regarding initial capital investment in Victoria Park of approximately £250,000 having actually been included within the 2009/10 CLC Capital Programme.
· The Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture, was requested to address the following safety issues
o Dangerous crossing outside Central Foundation School on the A11 and in particular the improvement of lighting for it and traffic calming.
o Dangerous crossings throughout the length of Burdett Road and St Paul’s Way but in particular at the junction of Burdett Road and St Paul’s Way.
o Archibald Park – lighting to discourage congregation of gangs.
o Wellington Way – improved lighting
Councillor Islam, Deputy Leader of the Council:
· In referring to a recent deputation to the full Council, by parents and governors from John Scurr Primary School, Bethnal Green, which had highlighted the dangers to pedestrians of traffic congestion caused by parents dropping their children by car at the school entrance, commented that no mitigating action appeared to have been taken. Mr Halsey, Corporate Director Communities Localities and Culture, undertook to respond to Councillor Islam in writing regarding this matter.
· Considered that there was a need for the installation of a zebra crossing on the approach to Bangabhandu Primary School in Bethnal Green.
· Considered that New Road, Whitechapel, a busy road used by children to reach Kobi Nazrul Primary School was now dangerous to cross and merited improvements to the highway.
· Accordingly proposed the following additional recommendation, to those set out in the report, for the consideration of members of the Cabinet:
“That the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture, give consideration to future inclusion of the following in the Communities, Localities and Culture Capital Programme:
o Improvements to the highway in the vicinity of the entrance to John Scurr Primary School, Bethnal Green, to increased pedestrian safety.
o Installation of a pedestrian crossing in proximity to Bangabhandu Primary School, Bethnal Green.
o Improvements to the highway in the vicinity of New Road, Whitechapel and Kobi Nazrul Primary School, to increased pedestrian safety.”
Councillor Ullah, Lead Member Cleaner Safer Greener, commented as follows:
· Safer school routes were a priority for the Administration and there had been significant investment in such schemes.
· The cycle instruction courses made available through the Council promoted the uptake of cycling as a mode of transport in the Borough.
· Highways improvements recently undertaken on the Chicksand Estate had been transformational.
· The points raised regarding road safety were acknowledged and he undertook to take these forward where possible. However he noted that many related to highways which were the responsibility of TfL. Further that were the Greater London Authority more receptive to representations from Tower Hamlets the outcome would be much faster.
Mr Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture, commented that there were many ongoing issues with TfL, It was recognised that the relationship with TfL, at a local level, required significant improvement and this was being addressed at the highest level. Mr Halsey also undertook to examine the matters raised by Members in the discussion.
Resolved:
1. That the schemes listed in appendices A & B to the report (CAB 140/089) be included within the Communities Localities & Cultural Services Directorate’s 2009/2010 Capital Programme;
2 That, subject to the identification of available funding, as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report, (CAB 140/089), the Capital Estimates (sum specified in estimated scheme cost column) be adopted for the schemes as outlined in Appendices A & B to the report, (CAB 140/089);
3. That that the Council’s Measured Term Contracts be used for the implementation of the Transportation and Highways Works where appropriate; and
4. That the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture, give consideration to future inclusion of the following in the Communities, Localities and Culture Capital Programme:
· Improvements to the highway in the vicinity of the entrance to John Scurr Primary School, Bethnal Green, to increased pedestrian safety.
· Installation of a pedestrian crossing in proximity to Bangabhandu Primary School, Bethnal Green.
· Improvements to the highway in the vicinity of New Road, Whitechapel and Kobi Nazrul Primary School, to increased pedestrian safety.
Supporting documents:
- CLC Capital Programme report, item 6.3 PDF 55 KB
- CLC Capital Programme Appendices, item 6.3 HTM 82 KB