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THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND PLANNING POLICY – 15 DECEMBER 2003

REPORT BY THE DEPUTY LEADER AND CABINET MEMBER FOR PLANNING POLICY AND TRANSPORTATION

CABINET MEMBER REPORT ON CURRENT ISSUES

The following are matters of current and future business. I will not be present at the Committee meeting but officers can provide additional information on the night.

FOR INFORMATION

Since the last meeting:

1. CONGESTION CHARGE ZONE – PROPOSED EXTENSION

1.1 On 24 th November Mr Swinburne and I gave evidence to a meeting of the Greater London Authority’s Transport Committee, which was considering the ’s proposed extension of the Congestion Charging Scheme. The Committee was reminded of the Council’s view that proposals to extend the zone to the west were premature and that if the scheme were extended it should include the entire Royal Borough. The Council believes that any proposed extension should only be considered as part of the planned major review of the Transport Strategy, taking into account wider issues such as the London Plan and the Mayor of London’s Air Quality Strategy.

1.2 The following arguments were also presented to the Transport Committee:

• TfL have published no empirical research on the scheme’s impact on businesses. To have any credibility this must include the vital Christmas and New Year sales data, which are unlikely to be available until after the consultation period. • The current option merely replicates the solution produced for central London by TfL, who have adopted a one size fits all model regardless of the different circumstances. • TfL consulted drivers on only one of several possible options.

1 • There is no evidence that any alternative proposals have been considered, to enable an objective assessment.

1.3 We also urged the Committee to ensure that TfL give an undertaking that its formal consultation should not commence until the following information is available at the start of the public consultation stage, in February 2004:

• A range of options including alternative boundaries backed by appropriate technical analysis; • Data as to why a small western extension is the preferred option, omitting some of the most congested roads in west London such as Fulham Palace Road and Hammersmith Broadway, and congested areas in North, East and South London; and • A full assessment of the unique nature of the area between the Earl’s Court One Way System and the West London Line and the traffic and social implications of separating this area.

2. RESIDENTS PLANNING SEMINAR – LONDON BOROUGH OF BROMLEY

2.1 I was pleased to speak at the London Borough of Bromley's Annual Residents' Planning Seminar on 22 nd November which was attended by representatives of local residents' associations, amenity groups and MPs. I gave a presentation on new streetscape design principles, concentrating on the improvements along Kensington High Street and the importance of leadership within local authorities on public realm design issues.

3. REVIEW OF IT PROJECTS

3.1 I have initiated a review of planned and existing IT projects within my area of responsibility in order to evaluate the business case for each project. This follows recent discussions by the Cabinet, which recognised the scope for improving the management of large scale IT projects.

4. SLOANE SQUARE – PROPOSED STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS

4.1 Significant progress has been made in relation to the Council’s aim to improve Sloane Square following my meeting on 27th November with Mr , Transport Commissioner for London and Lord Rogers, the Mayor of London’s advisor on Architecture and Urbanism.

4.2 Members may recall that a consultation exercise was undertaken recently, which highlighted the demand for major improvements to Sloane Square. As a result of this consultation, officers had been

2 preparing business cases based on two options, one radical and one less radical. The more radical option, which would connect the centre of the square to the surrounding footway, requiring new road layouts and alterations to public transport, is probably the most favourable option but has been difficult to progress given the complex technical issues involved.

4.3 The purpose of my meeting with Mr Kiley was to test TfL’s commitment to the radical scheme and see if both TfL and the Council could make this challenging option work. I am pleased to report that Mr Kiley shares our vision for the Square and is prepared to provide funding and technical assistance that will help make the project viable. Subject to further discussions, it is hoped that the redevelopment might commence in the next financial year.

5. VISIT TO KENSINGTON HIGH STREET

5.1 On 11 th November I was pleased to host a delegation of councillors and officers from the London Borough of Islington who came to view the improvements to Kensington High Street. All of the delegates were impressed by the innovative ideas used throughout the scheme and in particular the by the Council's fresh approach to streetscape issues such as the reduction of street clutter.

6. WEST CROMWELL ROAD – GREEN CORRIDOR

6.1 Members may be aware of proposals put forward by the GLA that West Cromwell Road should be enhanced as part of a wider initiative that will see improvements along the route of the A4 from Heathrow Airport to Hyde Park Corner. The current project, which has been designated as one of the Mayor of London’s 100 public spaces, will focus upon the stretch of road from the Hogarth Roundabout to the Earl’s Court Road junction. The Royal Borough has played a full part in appointing and briefing the consultants, Whitelaw Turkington, who will produce detailed proposals. The consultants discussed their draft proposals with me on 10 th December and it is hoped that a final strategy for delivering improvements will be in place by March 2004.

Before the next meeting:

7. MEETING WITH

7.1 I will be meeting John Weight, the new Executive Chairman of Metronet on Monday 19 th January. Metronet is a consortium which is now responsible for upgrading, replacing and maintaining two thirds of ’s infrastructure. Metronet’s responsibilities cover all servicing the Royal Borough. I

3 hope to learn more about their proposals at the meeting and highlight the needs of residents and visitors to the Royal Borough.

8. UNVEILING OF ANNUNCIATION

8.1 I was pleased to hear that the Rt. Hon. Lord McIntosh of Haringey, Minister for Media and Heritage, has agreed to perform the official unveiling of the sculpture ‘Annunciation’ on 20 th January at its new site near South Kensington Station. This particular sculpture by Andrew Burton was originally exhibited in Holland Park as part of the Royal Borough’s ‘Bronze’ exhibition to mark the millennium.

FOR INFORMATION

COUNCILLOR DANIEL MOYLAN

DEPUTY LEADER AND CABINET MEMBER FOR PLANNING POLICY AND TRANSPORTATION

Background Papers for Inspection: None

Contact Officer: Mr S. Modric, Cabinet Office (7361 3950)

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