– ENVIRONMENT AND CITY MANAGEMENT

DELEGATED AUTHORITY CONSULTATION REPORT 7574

TRAFFIC ORDERS – (KENSINGTON GORE)

(Drawing No. 70062774-WSP-P01-X-DR-HI-1203-01)

( & Belgravia Ward)

Background

On 24th June 2020, the Head of Parking considered and approved a report under his delegated powers allowing consultation on highway improvement and Traffic Order proposals for a public realm improvement scheme in the vicinity of the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington Gore.

The public realm improvement scheme is intended to improve pedestrian safety and comfort, and the footway and carriageway condition along Kensington Gore by providing a safer and wider southern footway and improved crossing facilities to enhance the connectivity between the Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park.

Following the publication / posting of press and street notices during July 2020 and consultation with frontagers and other key parties on the proposed measures 13 responses were received, as detailed in the appendix to this report. The extent of the letter consultation included six Ward Councillors, eight local residents' associations, 65 statutory bodies and 65 frontagers.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Traffic Orders are made as proposed to facilitate the implementation of the scheme shown on Drawing No. 70062774-WSP-P01-X-DR-HI-1203- 01.

I agree with the recommendation.

Signed Date 04/08/2020

Programme and Contract Manager City Highways, Environment and City Management

Signed Date 04/08/2020

Head of Parking City Highways, Environment and City Management

7574/LH A: WSP, Room 603, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, , SW1W 0AU. T: 020 3116 5996. APPENDIX

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTS 1. highlights that there are numerous WSP replied to on 1st July 2020 to Bus Operations high frequency buses using the streets affected by confirm that as the bus stop is located outside the Transport for London (TfL) the works. He will need to keep bus stops open or scheme extents it will remain as it is currently. relocated during any construction phases. He has However, it may be necessary to suspend the bus also noticed that the bus stop will not require stop and provide a temporary stop to allow safe Email dated 29th June 2020 relocating after completion. As the area is mostly working. WSP will contact to dual carriageway, he supposes there will not be any discuss construction phasing. need for full closures.

2. The Metropolitan Police service has no objections Noted. or concerns regarding the proposed measures.

Metropolitan Police Service

Email dated 29th June 2020

3. TfL have had prior consultation and attended a site WSP replied to on 1st July 2020 to Taxi and Private Hire meeting regarding the public realm works and confirm that only the civil works associated with the TfL agreed the relocation of the taxi rank, which they crossing by the relocated taxi rank will be support. However, they ask: implemented (i.e. dropped kerb, ducting and sockets), none of the signalling equipment will be Email dated 29th June 2020 Next to the taxi rank, there is a crossing point which installed at this stage. will not go live until further down the line of this project, they want to make sure that the rank will Subject to traffic modelling, the crossing will stay in situ once this crossing point goes live. become operational as part of the second phase of the scheme (post 2022), and will require the taxi There is a phase 2 to this public realm scheme rank to be relocated again. WSP will consult with which is the side where the rank is to be located, TfL to find the most appropriate location for it. they would like to ensure that they have prior consultation and if necessary another site meeting as they would need to temporarily relocate the taxi rank when this phase starts.

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NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTS

4. Vodafone: Fixed does have apparatus within the Noted. Plant Enquiries Team vicinity of the proposed works. According to their Atkins (on behalf of Vodafone: records there is leased and / or third party network Fixed) within the proposed works. However, because the plant is leased / third party they strongly recommend other utility providers are contacted to gather the extent of services within the area. Email dated 30th June 2020 Unfortunately, they are unable to advise who the plant is leased to or who the third party is.

5. confirms that the scheme will not have Noted. Waste and Parks an impact on waste collections or street cleansing. Westminster City Council

Email dated 30th June 2020 6. states that many cars and taxis stop in The scheme has been developed at the request of front of The Royal Albert Hall in the evenings of the Royal Albert Hall in order to improve public concerts. Buses need to be able to turn in the side safety in the vicinity and implement security streets, and sometimes need to perform U-turns. improvements identified in an independent security Restricting the width of Kensington Gore would assessment. The consultation documents were Email dated 2nd July 2020 create chaos. also sent to the Royal Albert Hall.

He asks has The Royal Albert Hall been consulted. The carriageway width on Kensington Gore will be There is a real need for disabled people or buses reduced to improve the public space and and taxis to get easy and multiple ways of access to accommodate the protective bollards. The road will The Royal Albert Hall. Introducing double yellow remain wide enough to allow vehicles to set down lines and loading restrictions will just cause traffic and pick up passengers without impacting traffic problems. flow and allow coaches to turn in and out of side streets. The current crossing between The Royal Albert Hall and the park is dangerous. The pedestrian signal is 3 APPENDIX (CONTINUED)

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTS green for barely 3 or 4 seconds, then cars have a Vehicles are always allowed to stop on both single flashing orange which they tend to consider as a and double yellow lines for as long as necessary to green light. He states it should be red and not a allow passengers to board or alight. flashing orange for cars. Elderly people and families don’t have time to cross. He suggests a The pedestrian crossing will be upgraded and different setup and longer pedestrian phase would accessibility improved. The reduction in the help. crossing distance and dropped kerbs providing a flush level across the road will assist pedestrians, in particular the elderly, families and disabled people, in crossing more safely. TfL are responsible for controlled crossings and they are aware of the issues at the existing crossing. The new pedestrian crossing will provide a more appropriate crossing phase for pedestrians.

7. Plant Protection Team The Plant Protection Team confirm that the Noted. Cadent following apparatus has been identified in the vicinity of the proposed works: · low or medium pressure (below 2 bar) gas pipes Email dated 4th July 2020 and associated equipment. (As a result, it is highly likely that there are gas services and associated apparatus in the vicinity).

8. The Knightsbridge Neighbourhood Plan 2018 - 2037 The Knightsbridge Neighbourhood Forum’s support Knightsbridge Neighbourhood is part of the development for the Knightsbridge of the scheme is noted. Forum (KNF) Neighbourhood Area. It received 93% support in its referendum in October 2018.

Email dated 15th July 2020 They highlight Objective 6.0 in the Plan which is to “Foster an environment that enables our world-class cultural and educational institutions to thrive as centres of learning and innovation within a flourishing community” and Appendix D of the plan 4 APPENDIX (CONTINUED)

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTS which includes “support the re-imagining scheme to improve access to the Albert Memorial”.

The proposals are wholly consistent with the KNF’s objectives and policies. The KNF therefore emphatically supports the proposed improvements to the public realm in the vicinity of the Royal Albert Hall. They encourage the City Council to implement them as quickly as possible.

The KNF also encourages the City Council to do all it can to support the Royal Albert Hall at this challenging time and ahead of its 150th anniversary.

9. writes on behalf of the Commissioners The Royal Commission of the Exhibition of 1851’s Royal Commission for the of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 support for the scheme is noted. Exhibition of 1851 (1851 Royal Commission) which owns the freehold of the Royal Albert Hall and buildings immediately to the west including the Royal College of Art, the Email dated 16th July 2020 Royal College of Organists, Imperial College’s Beit Hall and Queen Alexandra’s House.

The Commission emphatically supports the improvements. It was an 1851 Royal Commission Built Environment Fellowship, awarded to architect Deborah Saunt in 2010, that produced the initial proposals that have been developed into the scheme that is now proposed. Not only will this provide vital counter-terrorist measures for the security of the Royal Albert Hall, it will also greatly improve the appearance of the area as a whole. In its current form, the crossing over Kensington Gore 5 APPENDIX (CONTINUED)

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTS between the Royal Albert Hall and the Albert Memorial, two of the most visited spots in London, is thoroughly unsatisfactory and the double kerb on the north side is dangerous. Widening the pavement by the north door of the hall and providing a wider and level crossing will address the safety issues as well as vastly enhancing the setting of the hall and the memorial.

This is a scheme that is long overdue and the 1851 Royal Commission strongly commends it to the City Council. Given the very difficult circumstances which the Royal Albert Hall currently face, it is hoped that the City Council will do all that it can to make sure the scheme goes ahead. It would be a travesty if these much needed improvements were to fall victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.

10. The Knightsbridge Association welcome the The Knightsbridge Association’s support for the Knightsbridge Association proposal to progress the Reimagining Albertopolis scheme is noted. scheme to improve the space between the Royal Albert Hall and the Albert Memorial. Those specific plans were widely consulted upon and agreed, in principle, several years ago. Email dated 18th July 2020 They understand the need to provide and refine security arrangements around the Royal Albert Hall. It is essential that this work remains a very high priority and is kept under constant review.

The proposed works are consistent with Policy KBR26: Public realm in the Strategic Cultural Area

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NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTS and Policy KBR25: Existing and new development within the Strategic Cultural Area.

The Knightsbridge Association therefore confirm their support for the proposed improvements to Kensington Gore as described in the formal consultation dated 1st July 2020.

However, the Knightsbridge Associations position on other aspects of works around the Royal Albert Hall remain substantially as set out in their email to the Royal Albert Hall dated 15th July 2019.

11. The Directors of the Albert Court (Westminster) Albert Court (Westminster) Management Freehold Co. have discussed the proposal and Company’s support for the scheme is noted. Albert Court (Westminster) would like to express their support. Clearly it will Management Company Ltd reduce the degree of congestion at the Royal Albert Unfortunately, the budget is not sufficient to cover Hall’s entrance fronting Kensington Gore and the resurfacing of footway’s outside of the scheme improve the pedestrian safety levels for patrons extents. However, a request to inspect the area entering and leaving the Hall. again will be raised. Letter received 21st July 2020 They also note that it represents a first step in the “calming” of traffic and the proposed elimination of the two steps from the footpath to the roadway that exist presently when coming from Hyde Park to the Hall. The steps are both dangerous and difficult for wheelchairs and baby prams/strollers.

Board members were somewhat disappointed that this project does not encompass repairing the uneven pavement surfaces on the footpath extension of Kensington Gore down to Prince Consort Road. These pavements on each side of 7 APPENDIX (CONTINUED)

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTS the road carry a significant amount of patron pedestrian traffic when the Hall is in use and it is unusual when someone does not fall, often requiring medical attention, when either entering or exiting the Hall. They have raised this issue with the City Council previously and would be most pleased if the necessary repairs could be completed.

12. The Royal Parks are concerned about the north WSP replied to on 27th July 2020 to side levels where the crossing meets the footway clarify that the scheme will not impact the Park. Royal Parks and its interaction with the park entrance. Levels Following a meeting with Royal Parks on 3rd are not shown on the drawings. The Royal Parks February 2020, a 3D model of the scheme was manages the Crown Land that forms Kensington produced which allowed WSP to design a compliant Email dated 22nd July 2020 Gardens (the Park) and any changes to the levels pedestrian crossing (without steps) that can be will affect the south side of the Park at the Albert delivered without changing the levels at the back of Memorial. They ask: the footway. This will be achieved principally by · Are the levels changing to make the crossing raising the carriageway levels via the raised table compliant? extending between Kensington Gore East and · If this is the case, what is the relationship West. between the level of the park entrances and the pavement and crossing? The second crossing has been designed (with the · Where would the creation of a step be if the same consideration for levels) to future-proof its pavement is not ramped up or stepped up? location. It is subject to TfL’s approval, dependent on traffic modelling, and, if approved, will not be They request drawings of cross sections showing implemented until the second phase of the project the relationship of the proposed crossing and (post 2022). Its location in front of the western gate changes to pavement level to the park entrances, mirrors the location of the existing crossing in front The Royal Parks would not be willing for any access of the eastern gate, so it is unclear how it would issues to be transferred to their boundary. block the road crossing.

They also note that there is a proposed second The relocation of the taxi rank has been agreed with crossing (to follow) to be placed directly in front of TfL Taxi and Private Hire and will be reviewed with 8 APPENDIX (CONTINUED)

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTS the westernmost exit gate to the Park. This the implementation of the second crossing. It is not positioning would block the road crossing as you considered that it would lead to overcrowding as it is exit from the park if / when this gateway is in only in operation between 9.00 p.m. and midnight operation. with space for two taxis.

They suggest that the placement of the taxi rank onto the north side of the carriageway could lead to issues of overcrowding on the pavement with subsequent safety concerns.

At an earlier consultation it was noted that there was potential interest in creating a raised table across the entire width of the proposals for the two new crossing. They would be interested to know if this is still a viable option for consideration.

The Royal Parks are broadly supportive of the principles associated with improving access between The Royal Albert Hall and . However, they request further information in order to take a view on the impacts to Kensington Gardens of the proposed scheme.

13. submitted the following concerns The width of the carriageway on Kensington Gore directly to Councillor Anthony Devenish regarding East at the junction with Kensington Gore is being the impact of the proposed measures on residents reduced to improve pedestrian safety by providing Email dated 4th July 2020 of Albert Hall Mansions: an area where a row of safety bollards are to be installed and also provide more space for vehicles · The width of the junction between Kensington exiting the junction before they reach the crossing. Gore and Kensington Road (on the east side of Currently vehicles exiting this junction immediately Royal Albert Hall) is narrowed down twice. This arrive at the crossing and this presents a risk to would definitely cause the residents some pedestrians using the facility. A raised table at the discomfort. junction will aid in the reduction of vehicle speeds 9 APPENDIX (CONTINUED)

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTS · There is a very large side-area being created on approaching the junction. The redesigned junction the east side of Royal Albert Hall below the however remains wide enough to accommodate junction which she believes will become ideal for two-way traffic operation. parking of tourist buses which will not be enjoyable for the residents whose window face The side-area referred to retains the same waiting that way. and loading restrictions, this will not change as part · There is a proposed widening of pavements on of the measures to improve safety at the reprofiled Kensington Road in front of Albert Hall Mansions junction. together with a parking bay. It seems there is a very good chance a bus stop might be built there The proposed widening of the pavement in front of in the future, which will also not be enjoyable for Albert Hall Mansions is required for the safe residents. merging of the two westbound lanes into one. The · There is a narrowing of Kensington Road from same waiting and loading restrictions are retained the equivalent of four lanes of traffic to three. along the length of reprofiled footway and a parking There is already traffic building up. The amount bay has not been created here. Any future changes of time the traffic is built up will increase, which to the kerbside, such as implementing new parking will result in further discomfort to the residents. bays, would require a specific statutory consultation. · The carriageway table is also proposed to be raised, which would be noticeable for the The nearside westbound lane is currently subject to basement and ground floor residents, as the cars vehicles waiting in contravention of the existing will start travelling higher and closer to their waiting and loading restrictions and this, coupled windows. with the presence of a dedicated taxi rank, often removes the availability of this lane. These measures, along with the introduction of an extended no waiting ban, will prevent this behaviour, as any vehicle now stopping on this section of Kensington Gore would effectively block the westbound traffic movement.

Kensington Gore is a strategic road in which TfL have a particular interest in terms of bus journey times. The City Council are required to consult with TfL for any scheme on or near to a strategic road to 10 APPENDIX (CONTINUED)

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTS ensure they are happy that the impact of any measures will not adversely affect bus journey times. TfL has confirmed that bus journey times and general traffic flow will not be adversely impacted by these proposals

The carriageway will be raised slightly between 20- 30mm in the two eastbound lanes (furthest away from Albert Hall Mansions) and then graded to existing levels across the width of the carriageway where it joins the new southern footway. This is one of the measures necessary to achieve the regrade across the width of the existing carriageway to facilitate the removal of the triple kerb along the northern footway. The start of the gradual ramp to the table starts just before the junction of Kensington Gore East so will not be in front of Albert Hall Mansions. The widened section of footway outside Albert Hall Mansions and at the junction of Kensington Gore and Kensington Gore East means that all traffic travelling along Kensington Road, Kensington Gore and at the junction with Kensington Gore East, will be further away from the building.

11 Cuesta Hernandez, Jorge I have reviewed this document 2020.06.24 08:21:26 +01'00' D igitally signed by N ogueron, Jose (U KJPN001) D ate: 2020.06.15 14:05:18 +01'00'