Cable Street – Road Safety Improvements

Cycle Superhighway 3 Upgrade Cable Street – Road Safety Improvements

Response to Consultation March 2015

Cycle Superhighway 3 Upgrade Cable Street – Road Safety Improvements

Response to Consultation Published March 2015

Executive summary

Between 30 January and 27 February 2015, Transport for London (TfL) consulted on road safety improvements to Cable Street as part of an upgrade to Cycle Superhighway 3. We received 90 direct responses to the consultation, 76 (or 85%) of which supported or partially supported our proposals.

After considering all responses, we have decided to proceed with the scheme incorporating the following additional measures to those originally proposed:

 Reviewing the signal timings at the junction of Cable Street and Cannon Street to maximise the green time available for cyclists  Replacing the speed cushion with a sinusoidal hump at the junction of Cable Street and Hardinge Street  Extending double yellow lines around junctions but not across the cycle track

Subject to final discussions with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is the highway authority responsible for Cable Street, we expect work to start in summer 2015. We will write to local residents and affected properties before work starts to provide a summary of this consultation, an overview of the updated proposals and an outline of the construction programme.

This document explains the processes, responses and outcomes of the recent consultation, and sets out our response to issues commonly raised.

Contents

1 Introduction ...... 1 2 The consultation ...... 2 3 Overview of consultation responses ...... 3 4 The Cable Street consultation questionairre ...... 6 5 Responses from statutory bodies and other stakeholders ...... 10 6 Conclusion ...... 12 Appendix A – Response to issues raised ...... 13 Appendix B – Copy of the consultation letter and maps ...... 14 Appendix C – Leaflet distribution area...... 17 Appendix D – List of stakeholders consulted ...... 18 Appendix E – Email sent to stakeholders ...... 20

1 Introduction

The Mayor's Vision for Cycling, launched in March 2013, contains an ambitious target to double the number of people cycling in Greater London over the next decade. To achieve this growth Transport for London (TfL) is planning a far-reaching programme of cycling provision to make the capital’s streets more attractive for cycling to more people, especially those groups currently under-represented among cyclists, including women, young people and older people.

Cycle Superhighways are TfL’s flagship cycling programme and aim to provide a London-wide network of direct and high-capacity cycle routes, mostly along main roads. The Superhighways provide safe, comfortable and convenient journeys for anyone on a bicycle and essential links between London’s suburbs and the city centre and for shorter journeys in-between.

As part of the Vision for Cycling, TfL is planning a programme of improvements along the 4 existing Cycle Superhighway routes which have been implemented to date. We are therefore working closely with cycling, road user and community groups, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and the Metropolitan Police, amongst others, to review and improve cycling provision on Cycle Superhighway Route 3 (CS3), first launched in 2010. As part of this work, we have developed proposals to improve safety along Cable Street.

We consulted on proposals to improve road safety and pedestrian facilities along Cable Street between 30 January 2015 and 27 February 2015. This report summarises the public consultation and responses received. It also sets out TfL’s plans following consultation and its response to issues commonly raised.

1.1 Purpose of the scheme

As part of the Mayor’s Vision for Cycling, TfL committed to a programme of improvements along the 4 existing Cycle Superhighway routes which have been implemented to date.

We are proposing to make changes to junctions along Cable Street to ensure consistency at side roads and prioritise cyclists over other traffic.

1.2 Description of the proposals

The proposals put out for consultation included:

 Providing a new pedestrian crossing point near Fletcher Street to make it easier for pedestrians to cross Cable Street  Relocating a pedestrian crossing point closer to Cannon Street Road  Upgrading crossings for pedestrians by widening local zebra crossings and footways  Improving the safety and consistency of the road layout at all junctions by ensuring that cyclists have priority

 Extending double yellow lines around junctions to improve visibility  Introducing traffic calming measures including speed cushions, raised tables and new pedestrian islands to improve safety

2 The consultation The consultation ran from 30 January 2015 to 27 February 2015. It was designed to help TfL understand local and stakeholder opinion about the proposals in order to make a well-informed decision.

The objectives of the consultation were:  To understand any issues that might affect the proposals of which we were previously unaware  To understand concerns and objections  To allow respondents to make suggestions

2.1 Who we consulted

We wrote to a number of local people and key stakeholders including:  Local households and businesses in the vicinity of the scheme area (see Appendix C for details of consultation letter distribution)  Key stakeholders such as traffic police, Members of Parliament, Assembly Members, local councillors, local interest and road user groups. A list of the stakeholders consulted is shown in Appendix D. A summary of their responses is in Section 5.

2.2 Consultation material, distribution and publicity

Consultation material was available at https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/cable- street, via post, and email. Materials included an overview letter, along with written details and consultation drawings showing the proposals. We invited people to respond via an online survey on the TfL website or by email to [email protected].

We promoted the consultation through multiple channels: Email: We emailed 157 stakeholders. A list of these stakeholders is shown in Appendix D of this report and a copy of the email is available in Appendix E. Letter: We distributed a consultation letter and drawing to 2,115 occupiers within the scheme area. Copies of the letter and drawing, and details of the distribution area, are shown in Appendices B and C.

3 Overview of consultation responses

3.1 Background Questions

The consultation to improve road safety on junctions along Cable Street received 90 responses in total. 6 were from stakeholders and 84 responses were from members of the public. 96% of responses were submitted online via the TfL Consultations website and 4% by email.

Table 1: Type of responses received

Type of response Online questionnaire 85 97%

Email 5 3%

Total received 90 100%

We asked respondents how they heard about the consultation. Of those that answered the question, 35% stated they found out through social media.

Table 2: How did you hear about the consultation?

How did you hear about the consultation? Received an email from TfL 12 14% Received a letter from TfL 1 1% Saw an advert on the TfL website 10 11.5% Read about it in the press 10 11.5% Through social media 31 35% Other (please specify below) 19 22% Not Answered 5 6%

3.2 Identification questions

We asked respondents how they used Cable Street and to confirm their postcode.

3.2.1 Description of how respondent use Cable Street We asked respondents how they used Cable Street. Respondents were able to select more than one mode of transport for this question. The majority of the responses came from cyclists.

Table 3: How respondents describe themselves

How respondents described themselves As a bus passenger 11 13% As a cyclist 77 88% As a motorist 17 19% As a pedestrian 37 42% Other (please specify) 0 0% Not answered 5 6%

As respondents were able to able to select more than one mode of transport, the percentages do not add up to 100%.

3.2.2 Response by postcode

Of the 88 respondents to the online questionnaire, 75 supplied postcode information, the table below shows the consultation responses by postcode.

Table 4: Consultation responses by postcode

What is your postcode? E1 8 E14 6 E1W 5 E3 3 BR7 2 E16 2 E2 2 N1 2 N16 2 SE13 2 SE15 2 SE17 2 SE3 2 SE4 2 SE5 2 SW12 2 BR2 1 CB3 1 E13 1 E15 1 E17 1 E5 1 E7 1 G61 1 HA1 1 IG8 1

KT17 1 ME5 1 N7 1 NW4 1 NW6 1 RG4 1 SE1 1 SE10 1 SE11 1 SE19 1 SE23 1 SE24 1 SW1V 1 SW13 1 SW18 1 SW20 1 SW9 1 TW9 1 W1W 1 WC1H 1 Total answered 75

4 The Cable Street consultation questionnaire

4.1 Analysis of the comments provided to the Cable Street consultation questionnaire

The online questionnaire consisted of four questions. Respondents were asked about their support for the overall proposals, and invited to comment on the road safety improvements as a whole. Respondents were also asked about their support for the three individual junctions in the scheme area, and invited to comment on each section. For all questions, respondents were able to comment on as many issues as they wished.

The report considers the total number of respondents for each question as being the number of people who answered the closed question. The percentages relating to comments made in response to each question are therefore a proportion of the total number of respondents to that question.

4.2 The overall proposals for improvements to junctions along Cable Street

This section summarises responses to the question ‘Do you support TfL's overall proposals for junction improvements at Cable Street?; highlighting the main issues raised in the comments. A location specific analysis of comments relating to the three individual sections of the proposals follows.

Table 5: Summary table of overall support for safety improvements along Cable Street

Do you support TfL's overall proposals for junction improvements at Cable Street? Yes 62 69% Partially 14 16% Yes and partially 76 85% No 10 11% No opinion 0 0% Don’t Know 0 0% Not answered 4 4% Total answered 90 100%

Of the 90 respondents to the question on TfL’s overall proposals, 60 left comments.

Support for proposals: Ten respondents (17% of the total responses to this question) left generally supportive comments about the proposals, with 3 respondents (5%) commenting that the proposals need to be re-designed.

Clarity and consistency at junctions: Thirteen respondents (22%) commented that greater consistency was needed to improve safety and ensure that road users were clear about the priority at every junction.Eleven respondents (18%) commented that Sutton Street should be included in the proposals in order to improve safety and consistency at all of the junctions along Cable Street. For the same reasons, four respondents (7%) commented that Watney Street should be included in the proposals. Three respondents stated that cyclists should be given priority at all junctions along Cable Street

Allow buses and cycles only: Nine respondents (15%) commented that Cable Street should have filtered access i.e. the only motorised traffic allowed on Cable Street should be buses. Four of these respondents stated that this would prevent through traffic (rat running) on local roads.

Widen cycle track: Eight respondents (13%) commented that the cycle track was too narrow for the existing volume of cycle traffic and should be widened as part of the overall proposals.

Clear signage: Eight respondents (13%) commented that clearer signage was required at junctions. Respondents suggested introducing give way and “Think Bike” signage, as well as signage that reminds traffic to give way to pedestrians at zebra crossings. Two respondents suggested introducing additional signage to deter motorists from speeding.

Road markings: Six respondents (10%) commented that road markings at junctions should be consistent. Respondents suggested displaying give way markings on both sides of the cycle path, and removing raised white zigzag lines from the cycle lane, as the raised lines were slippery in the wet and increasing the safety risks to cyclists.

Enforcement: Four respondents (7%) commented that traffic enforcement cameras should be used along Cable Street to ensure that motorists obey the speed limit and comply with any changes that are introduced as a result of the consultation.

4.3 Location Specific Issues

In addition to the question on the overall proposals, respondents were asked about their support for the three individual sections of the scheme.

Table 6: Summary table of support for safety improvements at the junction of Cable Street and Back Church Lane

Do you support our proposals for Cable Street at the junction with Back Church Lane? Yes 61 68% Partially 14 15% Yes and partially 75 83% No 10 11% No opinion 0 0% Don’t Know 0 0% Not answered 5 6% Total answered 90 100%

Back Church Lane: Two respondents (3%) commented that yellow lines should be removed as it makes it unclear who has priority at the junction. One respondent stated that if the cycle lane at Back Church Lane was on a separate raised table this may reinforce the message to motorists that cyclists have priority at this junction.

Table 7: Summary table of support for safety improvements at the junction of Cable Street and Cannon Street

Do you support our proposals for Cable Street at the junction with Cannon Street? Yes 56 62% Partially 19 21% Yes and partially 75 83% No 9 10% No opinion 0 0% Don’t Know 1 1% Not answered 5 6% Total answered 90 100%

Cannon Street Road: Six respondents (10%) stated that the push button crossing system for cyclists should be removed as it was causing delays in the flow of cycle traffic. Three of these respondents commented that the push button system should be replaced with a sensor to detect cyclists waiting to cross the junction. Two respondents commented that the crossing times at the junction should be increased especially during peak commuting periods.

Table 8: Summary table of support for safety improvements at the junction of Cable Street and Hardinge Street

Do you support our proposals for Cable Street at the junction with Hardinge Street? Yes 60 67% Partially 16 18% Yes and partially 76 85% No 7 8% No opinion 0 0% Don’t Know 1 1% Not answered 6 6% Total answered 90 100%

Hardinge Street: Two respondents (3%) suggested that the speed cushion should be replaced with a sinusoidal hump as this would be a safer alternative for cyclists, as well as effectively calming traffic. One respondent commented that give way signage should be introduced to improve the clarity around priorities at the junction.

5 Responses from statutory bodies and other stakeholders

Table 9: Summary of responses received by statutory bodies and stakeholders

No concerns regarding the proposed designs, however proposals do not go far enough to alleviate the wider concerns of residents, nor do London Borough of Tower they improve the experience of the cyclists using Hamlets CS3. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets are developing proposals to increase capacity for cyclists, improving the experience of pedestrians and addressing traffic impacts. Concerned about the lack of clarity around junction priorities along Cable Street and that the proposals do not include Devonport Street where Alliance of British Drivers similar issues exist. Questioned why TfL were prioritising cyclists at the junctions and stated that the overall proposals should be redeveloped and exclude speed humps and tables. Concerned that the attempt to give cyclists priority at Back Church Lane and Hardinge Street is potentially dangerous, and questioned the legality CTC London of giving cyclists priority over vehicles. Stated that the proposals at zebra crossings appear to be illegal/non-conforming and could increase the danger to road users. GMB Professional Drivers Concerned over the use of raised tables and Branch similar systems.

Concerned that the proposals at Cannon Street Road do not include replacing the push button system, also that Sutton Street is not included in the proposals. Commented that the pavement and track east of Shadwell station are too narrow, Shenstone and Partners also suggested that only buses and cycles should Architects be allowed access at junctions. Stated that there should be cycle access from the Cycle Superhighway to St David's Lane in order to improve links to the new student hostel and the staff cycle parking at the local school.

Concerned that the proposals do not tackle the issues of CS3 along Cable Street sufficiently and therefore cannot support these proposals as road safety improvements. However do agree there is Tower Hamlets Wheelers an outstanding problem of consistency of priority at the three junctions for those using the cycling track. Suggested a full ‘upgrade’ for CS3 involving filtered permeability.

6 Conclusion

85% of respondents to the consultation said they supported or partially supported TfL’s proposals to improve road safety along Cable Street. Having considered the issues raised in consultation, TfL has decided to proceed with the scheme, incorporating the following additional measures to those originally proposed:

6.1 Next steps

We intend to introduce these improvements during the summer of 2015, subject to further discussions with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets as the highway authority responsible for Cable Street. We will write to local residents and affected properties before work starts to provide a summary of this consultation, an overview of the updated proposals and an outline of the construction programme.

Appendix A – Response to issues commonly raised

Concerns over junction consistency

TfL acknowledges the concerns that some organisations and individuals have expressed regarding the clarity and consistency of the road layout along Cable Street. Our proposals incorporate improvements to the safety and consistency of the road layout, at all junctions along Cable Street between Mill Yard and Devonport Street excluding Watney and Sutton Street. This includes providing flushed kerbs across the width of the junction to indicate a continuous cycle lane.

Following discussions with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, we have decided against introducing similar road safety measures at the junctions of Watney and Sutton Street as they are being reviewed as part of the borough’s wider aspirations for Cable Street.

Future proposals

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is currently investigating proposals to increase the capacity for cyclists along Cable Street and enhance the experience of local residents and pedestrians. Options being considered involve filtered permeability and allocating more carriageway space to cyclists. TfL will be working proactively with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to ensure any future proposals take into account road safety improvements and cyclist priority.

Signage and enforcement As part of our proposals to improve road safety along Cable Street, we will ensure all signage and road markings reflect the new road layout changes.

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets will also be implementing a 20mph zone along Cable Street in April 2015. New signage will be installed to make road users aware of the change.

Appendix B – Copy of the consultation letter and map

Appendix C – Leaflet distribution area

Appendix D – List of stakeholders consulted

AA Motoring Trust London Borough of Tower Hamlets Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID) London City Airport Age Concern London London Councils Age UK London Cycling Campaign (Lewisham) Alzheimer's Society London Cycling Campaign (Tower Hamlets) Asian Peoples Disabilities Alliance London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Association of British Drivers London Older People's Strategy Group Association of Car Fleet Operators London TravelWatch Better Transport London Underground British Motorcyclists Federation Metropolitan Police British Telecom Metropolitan Police - Community Police Campaign for Better Transport MIND Canary Wharf Management Ltd Motorcycle Action Group CCG NHS Central London Motorcycle Industry Association Confederation of British Industry (CBI) National Children's Bureau CTC (National Cycling Charity) National Grid Department for Transport NHS Tower Hamlets CCG Disability Alliance Northbank BID Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee Port of London Authority EDF Energy RADAR London Access Forum Enfield RMT Union Freight Transport Association RNIB Greater London Authority Road Haulage Association Greater London Forum for the Elderly Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames GMB Royal Mail Green Flag Group Royal National Institute of Blind People Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Royal Parks Hertfordshire County Council Sense House of Commons Sixty Plus Joint Committee on Mobility of Blind and Partially Stroke Association Sighted People (JCMBPS) Sustrans Joint Mobility Unit

JPMorgan Cycle Group Sutton Centre for the Voluntary Sector Liberal Democrats Taxi and Private Hire Licenced Taxi Drivers Association Thames Water Limehouse Community Forum The British Dyslexia Association Living Streets Tower Hamlets Safer Transport Team London Ambulance Service Transport for London London Borough of Hillingdon Unions Together London Borough of Sutton Unite Union

Local Ward Councillors Julia Dockerill Denise Jones

Members of Parliament Stephen Hammond MP Zac Goldsmith MP Seema Malhotra MP Jim Fitzpatrick MP

London Assembly Members Caroline Pidgeon AM Valerie Shawcross AM Darren Johnson AM Gareth Bacon AM Murad Qureshi AM Jenny Jones AM Nicky Gavron AM Richard Tracey AM

Appendix E – Email sent to stakeholders

Dear Stakeholder,

Transport for London (TfL) is working closely with cycling, road user and community groups, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and the police, amongst others, to review and improve cycling provision on Barclays Cycle Superhighway Route 3 (CS3). As part of this work, we have developed proposals to improve junctions along Cable Street and Horseferry Road.

To have your say on one, or both of these proposals please visit the links below:

Cable Street: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/cable-street

Horseferry Road: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/horseferry-road

Please let us know your views by 27 February 2015.

Yours sincerely,

Claire Alleguen

Consultation Team

Transport for London