Consultation Report
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East-West Cycle Route Spur Road Response to consultation March 2016 Contents Executive summary ............................................................................................................... 1 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 2 2 The consultation ......................................................................................................... 4 3 Responses to the consultation .................................................................................... 6 4 Summary of stakeholder responses .......................................................................... 13 5 Conclusion and next steps ....................................................................................... 15 Appendix A – TfL response to issues commonly raised ....................................................... 16 Appendix B – Consultation letter and map of distribution area ............................................. 23 Appendix C – Letter received from The Royal Parks ........................................................... 27 Appendix D – Email to stakeholders and stakeholder groups .............................................. 28 Appendix E – List of stakeholders and stakeholder groups .................................................. 29 Appendix F – Email to Oyster users on the TfL database .................................................... 42 Appendix G – Copy of flyer distributed at public exhibitions ................................................. 43 Executive summary Between 19 August and 4 October 2015, we consulted on further proposals for a segregated cycle track along Spur Road. We received 449 responses to the consultation, of which 80% supported or partially supported our proposals. Comments from respondents included general support for the proposals, views on the lack of cycle facilities on Link Road and concern about the interaction between cyclists and other park users. After considering all responses, we intend to proceed with the scheme as set out in the consultation documents. Subject to agreement with The Royal Parks, we plan to start construction work in summer 2016, with completion planned for autumn 2016. The scheme will be introduced on a trial basis for an initial period of 12 months. It will be monitored to assess its operational effectiveness and any associated impacts, for example, on regular ceremonial events. We will keep visitors and road users informed of our plans and progress, including writing to local residents, businesses and other stakeholders before undertaking work in their area. We will also provide road traffic information to help people better plan their journeys and make informed choices about how, where and when they travel. East-West Cycle Route – Spur Road – Response to Consultation 1 1 Introduction We originally consulted on proposals for improved cycle routes in St James’s Park and The Green Park between 9 February and 29 March 2015, including The Mall (North Horse Ride), Horse Guards Road and Birdcage Walk. Between 19 August and 4 October 2015, we consulted on further proposals for a segregated cycle track along Spur Road. The new design was developed following feedback from the February consultation and incorporated many of the proposals previously consulted on. This document explains the processes, responses and outcomes of the Spur Road consultation, and sets out our response to issues commonly raised. 1.1 Purpose of the Scheme Feedback from the February 2015 consultation included concerns about the lack of cycling facilities on Spur Road. In response to this, following further work with The Royal Parks, we proposed a segregated two-way cycle track on Spur Road, between Constitution Hill and Birdcage Walk, introduced on a trial basis. 1.2 Descriptions of the proposals The new proposals on Spur Road included: Segregated two-way cycle track replaces one traffic lane on Spur Road (between Constitution Hill and the junction of Spur Road and The Mall) Segregated two-way cycle track replaces two southbound traffic lanes on Spur Road between the junction of Spur Road and The Mall, and Birdcage Walk) These changes would be introduced on a trial basis. Elements of the previous scheme that remained: Eastbound segregated cycle track and westbound mandatory cycle lane replace one traffic lane on Birdcage Walk New signalised junction at Birdcage Walk / Spur Road Relocated signalised pedestrian crossing on Birdcage Walk (outside Wellington Barracks), with a dedicated traffic light phase for cyclists Straighter, shorter and wider pedestrian crossings at Buckingham Gate Advanced Stop Lines for cyclists at Buckingham Gate Widened footways on the western side of Link Road replace one traffic lane Benefits of the scheme compared to previous proposals: The new proposals allow cyclists to travel between Birdcage Walk and Constitution Hill without having to travel around the busy gyratory and move across traffic lanes Please see the TfL consultation website for full details of the proposals consulted on. East-West Cycle Route – Spur Road – Response to Consultation 2 1.3 Map of the proposals East-West Cycle Route – Spur Road – Response to Consultation 3 2 The consultation 2.1 Consultation duration and structure Duration The consultation for further proposals for the East-West Cycle Route on Spur Road ran from 19 August to 4 October 2015. Structure Information on the consultation, including the details of the proposals consulted on, was available online at tfl.gov.uk/east-west-spur-road from 19 August 2015. Respondents were asked about their level of support for the proposals (‘support’, ‘partially support’, ‘don’t support’, ‘not sure’, ‘no opinion’). Respondents were also given an opportunity to comment on the proposals. Respondents were also asked to submit their name, email address and postcode, along with information about their cycling and other travel habits. All questions were optional, apart from the question asking for overall views on the proposal. Other information, such as the respondent’s IP address and the date and time of responding, was recorded automatically. All data is held under conditions that conform to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. 2.2 Consultation material, distribution and publicity 2.2.1 Consultation website On 19 August 2015, detailed information on the proposals was published at https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/east-west-spur-road. The consultation information included explanatory text, a detailed design drawing of the scheme area, and an overview map showing how the Spur Road proposals sit within the wider East-West Cycle Superhighway. 2.2.2 Non-web formats Printed plans, accompanying descriptions and response forms were available on request by telephone, email or writing to FREEPOST TFL CONSULTATIONS. The printed material was also available at the two public exhibitions held during the consultation period. 2.2.3 Consultation publicity The consultation was publicised via the following channels: A letter and consultation drawing were sent to 34,835 addresses in postcode sectors within 0.5 miles of the route through St James’s Park and The Green Park (See Appendix B for the letter and map of the distribution area). East-West Cycle Route – Spur Road – Response to Consultation 4 Emails to stakeholders: We emailed around 650 different stakeholder organisations to let them know about the consultation. Please see Appendix C for the email and Appendix D for the list of recipients. The email contained a brief summary of the proposals and a link to the consultation website. Emails to individuals: We emailed over 45,000 people on the TfL database who are known to cycle, drive or use public transport in the area (please see the email in Appendix E). The email briefly described the proposed scheme, and invited recipients to find out more and respond via the consultation website. Flyer distribution to members of public: Staff distributed flyers to members of the public to coincide with the public events. Please see Appendix F for a copy of the flyer. Public events: We held two public events at which people could discuss the proposals for Spur Road with members of the project team and view printed material: The Green Park, at the east end of Constitution Hill, behind Canada Gate: Tuesday 8 September, from 7.30am to 9.30am Thursday 17 September, from 4pm to 8pm East-West Cycle Route – Spur Road – Response to Consultation 5 3 Responses to the consultation 3.1 Overview of overall support 73% TfL received a total of 449 responses to the consultation on the East-West Cycle Route on Spur Road. The majority of these supported the proposals, with 73% fully supporting and 7% partially supporting the scheme. 19% of 19% respondents did not support the 7% proposals and 2% were not sure or had 1% 1% no opinion. SupportPartially No Not Don’t support opinion sure support The responses included submissions from members of the public, stakeholder groups and individual businesses and employers, representing a broad range of interests. A summary of stakeholder comments is available in Chapter 4 of this report. 3.2 About the respondents Most popular postcode districts Responses by postcode 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% The majority of consultation respondents SW1P 9.9% were located within Greater London. The SW1V 7.9% most popular districts as shown in Figure W2 3.6% 3.1 comprised 34% of respondent SE5 2.3% postcodes, with the remaining 46% SW1E 2.3%