The Chair indicated that he understood that there were some questions from the public and he invited Mr. Ted Maxwell a Bethnal Green resident and one of the authors of the open letter signed by 850 people and sent to Mayor Rahman about the proposals to reverse elements of the Liveable Streets  schemes.  A summary of the discussions on this issue is outlined below:

1.    The Boroughs Health and Well-Being Strategy states that for a ‘healthy borough’ that everyone can access safe, social spaces near their home to live healthy lives a community and to achieve this ambition by working with partners to make the best use of land and spaces and to reduce traffic levels to ensure that (i) everyone can use open spaces and amenities; and (ii) local green spaces and public amenities are sustained and strengthened.  The Liveable Streets schemes it was felt has helped to achieve these ambitions (e.g., by reducing traffic on Green Road along which four local schools are based and introducing a pocket park has transformed how local people use green spaces along this road).  Therefore, given that the Council are consulting to remove all of these things, how will the health and well-being strategy support residents in maintaining these schemes so that health and well-being benefits are maintained?  In response it was noted that since the implementation of the Liveable Streets programme, a significant number of objections and concerns have been raised by residents, businesses, and the emergency services e.g. petitions calling for the scheme’s removal and there have been numerous reported incidents where emergency service responses have been hindered by physical road closures and for many residents, the closures have created longer journey distances which has increased emissions and costs.

2.    What actions will the Council do to achieve the same level of benefit in terms of promoting physical activity and active travel, tackling air pollution, and sustaining and strengthening local green spaces and public amenities.  In response it was noted that the Council will be investing in a whole range of other areas and are keen to engage with residents in how the Council will deliver on those issues and tackle any challenges (e.g., promoting more healthier lifestyle choices).

The Committee received an update from Councillor Dan Tomlinson (Cabinet Member, Environment and the Public Realm) and Dan Jones, (Divisional Director, Public Realm)  on the Liveable Streets programme.

Councillor Tomlinson advised of the  key objective of the scheme, which can be summarised as follows:

• to improve the look and feel of public spaces.

• to improve the environment to encourage more walking and cycling.
• to significantly reduce cut through traffic on local residential streets, through for example, identifying and consulting on the use of more suitable routes for such traffic.

He also gave an overview of the following issues:

• The progress in meeting the timetable, highlighting the delays in carrying out the work for certain areas due in main to COVID-19. A number of projects remained broadly on schedule. It was anticipated that, due to the work to catch up, projects should still be completed on time. However, extensions to timeframes have been agreed where necessary.
• The TfL decision regarding the funding of the scheme.  There would be a report to the Cabinet in September 2020 on the funding for the project.
• The consultation exercise.

The full presentation was available on the Council’s website.

In response to the presentation, the following points were discussed:

• In relation to the consultation, the Committee noted the checks carried out on responses to identify the number of local responses.
• Further details of the responses received can be provided to the Committee Members.
• The importance of the Council taking a proactive approach to its communications for the scheme.
• It was noted that the Council sought to reach out to the community in a number of ways. In relation to this, Councillor Tomlinson highlighted the work of Councillors in engaging with the local community on the scheme. Other activities included: posting out hard copies of leaflets on the proposals to households, holding workshops and engaging with key stakeholders and groups that would be most affected by any changes. In line with other schemes, Community language leaflets could be provided if there was demand for these.
• The implications of the TfL decision on the budget. As a result of this, it was noted that it may be necessary to review the programme in light of this.  The Council was still in the process of reviewing the funding for the scheme. A report on the Liveable Streets programme and the funding for it was due to be considered by the Cabinet in September 2020. The Committee noted that they should look out for the capital programme report to identify how the Liveable Streets programme is included.

• The impact of the traffic diversions on low income families and social housing. Members were keen to ensure that it did not adversely affect particular groups.
• In response Councillor Tomlinson stated that he was mindful of the need to take into account the different needs of residents, and to seek a balance between this and meeting the aims of the scheme. He underlined his commitment to carefully consider the consultation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6