Public Engagement on Olympic Route Network – Traffic Order Group 8 and 10b Engagement Report October 2011 - 1 - Contents Section Page 1 Executive summary 3 2 Introduction 3 3 Stakeholder engagement 5 4 Responses from members of the public 8 5 Responses from statutory bodies and other stakeholders 15 6 Conclusion and actions from engagement 26 7 Appendices A – Engagement Materials B – Distribution Area C – Stakeholder List - 2 - 1 Executive summary A five week engagement exercise for sections of the Olympic and Paralympic Route Network (ORN and PRN) known as Traffic Order Groups (TOG) 8 and 10b in the City of Westminster and City of London was held between 10 August and 14 September 2011. Engagement on section 10a was carried out in November 2010 when LOCOG carried out a consultation in advance of a planning application for the Media Transport Hub. • 218 letters were sent to key stakeholders and approx 16,155 local residents and businesses within c. 400m radius of the Olympic Route Network and Paralympic Route Network (ORN and PRN). 963 letters were also sent to key Londonwide and Central London Zone stakeholders • The City of London used their own mailing list to invite Members and key stakeholder to the business briefings • 78 people attended the two drop-in sessions and 462 businesses attended briefings of invited businesses hosted by City of London • 18 responses were received via email, website, telephone and drop-in session feedback forms The main area of concern was the impact of restricted turns on access to premises and the length of time these would be in place. For TOG V10b concerns were that the proposals would restrict access to commercial properties. For TOG 8, the residents in High Timber Street EC4 were concerned about gaining access to their residential properties and the likely diversion routes they would have to take as a result of the proposed banned turns. The banned turn at Puddle Dock was considered as a particular inconvenience. Pedestrian safety was also a concern for the City of London, TOG 8, and also finding a resolution to the proposed relocation of commuter coach stops. Transport for London (TfL) will consider all feedback received during the engagement process when developing the detailed designs. In particular, TfL has reviewed the Puddle Dock turning restriction. Originally this was to be part of both the ORN and PRN measures. However, the restriction will now only be in place where the ORN is in operation and not whilst the PRN is operational. 2 Introduction 2.1 Purpose Transport for London (TfL), acting as the delivery partner for the ORN and PRN for the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), has been talking to local residents and stakeholders on the temporary changes to the way the roads can be used in their local area during the London 2012 Games. - 3 - This engagement aims to identify concerns and emerging issues and consider potential solutions to these when finalising the designs. It is carried out in advance of a formal statutory consultation that will take place as part of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process which is required to introduce many of the changes. TfL is engaging on TROs in phases to make it easier for the public to make sense of the detailed information. There are four phases in total and this process has to be completed by November 2011 to ensure that the ORN/PRN can be constructed before the Games. This report covers the section of the ORN known as TOG 8 and the remaining length of 10b, which fall into phase four of the ORN and PRN engagement. They cover roads within the City of London, the City of Westminster and the London Borough of Lambeth – specifically from Kingsway Tunnel to Temple Place, and Victoria Embankment from Lambeth Palace Road to Tower Hill. 2.2 Background The Olympic Route Network/Paralympic Route Network is a network of roads linking all the competition and key non-competition venues for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The roads that will be used for the ORN and PRN were formally designated by the Secretary of State for Transport in summer 2009 with some minor changes made by the Designation Amendment Order in 2011. The ORN and PRN will enable athletes, officials, media and others working at the Games (the Games Family) to reach their venues and accommodation on time, while also keeping London and the rest of the UK moving. This section of the ORN and PRN is a key part of the route providing a link from Heathrow airport to the Olympic Park and also for travel between the Embankment and Euston Road via the media hub in Russell Square. TOG 8 from Lambeth Palace Road to Tower Hill will be used as both ORN and PRN but the TOG 10b from Kingsway Tunnel to Temple Place is needed for the Olympic Games Only. The temporary changes that will be needed to operate the ORN and PRN have been developed in discussion with the local authorities involved. The proposed measures consulted on are: • A series of Games Lanes, operating variously from 6am – midnight and for 24 hours in some sections • Banned turns, lane/road closures and reversal of traffic direction. • Suspension of bus stops and bus lanes • Temple Place east of Surrey Place will be open to Games vehicles and local access only. - 4 - • Closure of Westminster Bridge westbound to general traffic. Buses and cycles will still be able to access the Bridge in both directions Further details of the proposed measures are included in Appendix A. 3 Stakeholder engagement The engagement exercise has been designed to enable TfL to share the details of the proposed changes so people on or near the routes could find out how they might be affected. This has allowed TfL to gauge local opinion about the measures and gather feedback that may be used to inform local modifications. 3.1 Engagement objectives The objectives of the consultation were: • To tell stakeholders and the public about the proposals and allow them to respond • To understand any issues that might affect the proposal of which we were not previously aware • To understand concerns and objections • To allow respondents to make suggestions 3.2 Who we engaged with The engagement exercise sought the views of targeted stakeholders and people who live/work/run businesses near to the ORN and PRN in this TOG area including: • Elected politicians – TfL informed councillors in relevant Wards, Members of Parliament, and Assembly Members to ensure they were aware of the engagement • Local stakeholders – TfL engaged with local traffic police, London Travel Watch and a range of local stakeholder groups, such as residents groups, business groups and organisations in the local area • Residents and businesses • Emergency Services A complete list of the stakeholders is provided in Appendix C. 3.3 Engagement methodology - 5 - A public engagement plan was developed in discussion with council officers and discussions took place to discuss and agree an appropriate approach. This was also supported with email and telephone correspondence on a regular basis. The following methods have been used to inform local residents and businesses about the engagement and to encourage them to take part. 3.3.1 Meetings with key stakeholders The ODA and TfL have engaged with relevant council officers about the design of the ORN and PRN measures since the designation of the network in 2006. This includes regular technical meetings, conferences and the borough transport forum. The ODA gave briefings to political and key stakeholders, followed by a consultation on the re-designated route and Penalty Charge Notification levels in summer 2009. They announced the location of the temporary Games Lanes across London and the rest of the UK in July 2010. Regular engagement has taken place with the emergency services, in particular with the Metropolitan Police, during the design process and comments have been incorporated into latest designs. TfL met with the City of London officers in the lead up to the engagement exercise. This included regular meetings to discuss the format of the business briefings and drop in sessions. The City used their existing channels to conduct Member/Aldermen engagement about the ORN proposals. In August 2011 and prior to any public activity, written correspondence was sent to local politicians and key stakeholders informing them of the temporary changes and the public drop-in sessions in the local area. 3.3.2 Letter A letter and map detailing the key changes was delivered by a mail delivery agency to 22,000 properties along the route and by post and email to targeted stakeholders listed in Appendix C. The materials: • Provided an overview of the main temporary changes • Told people about the website which contains detailed maps • Encouraged people to attend drop-in sessions where they would be able to ask questions and/or find out additional information - 6 - • Asked for comments about the proposed temporary changes via TfL’s online consultation tool, email, in writing or by telephone A copy of this letter is shown in Appendix A and a map of the distribution area can be found in Appendix B. 3.3.3 Website The website included a map showing the extent of the route, and detailed maps of the proposed changes. An online consultation tool allowed users to give their feedback. 3.3.4 Public drop-in sessions Three drop-in sessions were held: Great Hall Foyer, King’s College, Strand campus, Strand, London WC2R 2LS • Wednesday 31 August 2011 from 11:30am – 2:30 Northumberland House, 8 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BY • Wednesday, 7 September 2011 from 16:30 – 19:30 City Marketing Suite, Guildhall, London EC2V 7HH • Thursday, 8 September 2011 from 09:30 – 16:00 Over 400 businesses attended briefing sessions held by the City of London Corporation on the 5 and 6 September 2011.