The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

The recommendations were amended and then agreed.

DECISION

1.    To note the results of the engagement to date and two public consultations held in Weavers and Old Bethnal Green Road.

2.    To approve Option One (of the three options summarised in section 2 of the report).

a.    Subject to the retention of the closure of Canrobert Street in Bethnal Green.

3.    To note that Apprendix F - EqIA to the report identifies a number of positive and negative impacts of the options upon individuals that share particular protected characteristics (summarised in paragraphs 4.1 – 4.5 of the report).

4.    To approve any changes to be implemented through experimental traffic orders so that amendments can be made to mitigate any adverse impacts that are identified through monitoring.

5.    To approve a 12-month review of traffic flows and air quality to assess the impact of the proposals for the purposes of identifying any negative impacts and developing mitigation measures.

6.    To approve the use of existing frameworks or term contracts to award an order up to the value determined for completion of the works.

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITIES (RAJ MISTRY)

(Interim Director, Public Realm (S. Baxter)

(Interim Service Head, Highways & Transportation (A. Ali)

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

The Mayor formally introduced items 6.4 and 6.5 which he indicated he would consider together. Councillor Kabir Hussain (Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency) introduced the reports which sought approval for one of three main options for the retention or removal of a number of existing traffic schemes in the Old Bethnal Green, Columbia Road and Arnold Circus (Item 6.4) and Brick Lane (Item 6.5) areas. Raj Mistry, Corporate Director Communities, provided further detail.

At the invitation of the Mayor, the following persons addressed the meeting to ask questions regarding items 6.4 and 6.5.

·         Councillor Peter Golds expressed concern at the response to the consultation exercises on LTNs which he felt did not appear to represent the widest possible demography of the Borough.

·         Councillor Sirajul Islam asked if the Mayor was disappointed that there were instances throughout the reports where the effects of LTN schemes could not be accurately quantified and asked if it was right that without this information he and his cabinet could not make an informed choice.

·         Councillor Nathalie Bienfait asked whether, in view of the resident support for the schemes in and the evidence for the need to reduce the impact of cars on roads, what steps the Mayor would take to reduce the numbers and impact of cars on our roads. And, if he decided to choose Option 1 or Option 3 in the report, what steps he would take to mitigate the potential impact of removing the low traffic schemes on areas which had become used to a low traffic environment.

·         Sam Wood asked how the views of Bart's Health Trust or the Royal London Hospital and Mile End Hospital were being taken into consideration. The position of the Trust was documented in a letter to the Mayor in August 2022. Mr Wood advised the Trust had made no update or change to the response since then.

·         Elizabeth Perrett asked how the Mayor would ensure elderly, disabled and vulnerable residents would not continue to be adversely affected by ambulance delays as was her mother, who had lived on Old Bethnal Green Rd and was repeatedly subjected to major delays during many serious health issues.

·         Nikki Collins asked if there were any reasons why the Mayor would not now deliver on his number one promise.

In response to the public and Councillor contributions, the Mayor indicated that the comments and questions from residents clearly showed the passion regarding the LTN issue. He felt the contributions showed that some residents had been failed by the system and had suffered as a result of LTN measures and he was aware of many similar instances of residents being negatively affected. He welcomed the contributions which he felt would assist him in his determination on this issue.

Cabinet members welcomed the report and indicated support for removal of the traffic measures. They noted with dismay the adverse impacts the schemes had had on many residents and expressed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6