Public Engagement on Olympic Route Network – Traffic Order Group 9 Engagement Report October 2011 - 1 - Contents Section Page 1 Executive summary 3 2 Introduction 4 3 Stakeholder engagement 6 4 Responses from members of the public 9 5 Responses from statutory bodies and other stakeholders 15 6 Conclusion and actions from engagement 21 7 Appendices 21 A – Engagement Materials B – Distribution Area C – Stakeholder List - 2 - 1 Executive Summary A five week engagement exercise for Traffic Order Group (TOG) 9 - Parliament Square to Lambeth Cross was held between 10 August and 14 September 2011. Stakeholders within the Central London Zone also received the engagement materials about this TOG. • Letters were sent to 825 key stakeholders and approx 11,475 local residents and businesses within c. 400m radius of the Olympic Route Network (ORN) • 20 people attended the three drop-in sessions • 11 responses were received via email, website, letter and drop-in session feedback forms Responses included concerns about the measures increasing congestion and disruption to everyday lives. Some people were against the principle of the measures and suggested the Games Family use public transport and there were mixed responses to the cycle lane changes. Several stakeholders wanted full access at Lambeth Bridge roundabout and on St Margaret Street. The Met Police were concerned about the safety of the Games Lanes exit on Vauxhall Bridge if not able to turn right. Other individual feedback included measures being in place too long (7am-7pm); a request for taxi exemptions; acceptance of inconvenience as the price of hosting the Games; criticism of the consultation process; and concern about the impact on pedestrian crossings and bus services. Transport for London (TfL) will consider all feedback received during the engagement process when developing the detailed designs. For example, TfL has decided to remove the Games Vehicle access only restriction from St Margaret Street, so general traffic will be able to use this road at all times (except when Parliament Square is used for Road Events). Games Lanes will continue as proposed on Millbank. The measures at Lambeth Bridge/Horseferry Road roundabout will not be progressed and therefore no turning restrictions will be introduced. - 3 - 2 Introduction 2.1 Purpose TfL, acting as the delivery partner for the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) on the ORN and Paralympic Route Network (PRN), has been engaging local residents and stakeholders on the temporary changes to the way the roads can be used in their local area. 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 that 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 detailed information. This report covers the section of the ORN known as TOG 9, which falls into phase four of the ORN engagement. TOG 9 covers roads within the London Borough of Lambeth and City of Westminster from Parliament Square to Vauxhall Cross. 2.2 Background The ORN and PRN 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 key participants, such as athletes, officials and media, to travel safely, securely and efficiently between venues and their accommodation, while also keeping London and the rest of the UK moving. The ORN is required from Parliament Square to Vauxhall Cross as a venue specific route for the Olympic tennis at Wimbledon. The temporary changes that will be needed to operate the ORN have been developed in conjunction with the London Borough of Lambeth and City of Westminster. It is expected to operate during the tennis from 28 July to 5 August and a day or two either side. The proposed measures consulted on are: • A series of Games Lanes (7am-7pm or 24 hours) • Restricted turns and lane/road closures • Suspension of sections of the Cycle Super Highway • Suspension of a bus stop and bus lanes - 4 - • Suspension of one pedestrian crossing Full details of the proposed measures are included in Appendix A. - 5 - 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 engagement were: • To tell stakeholders and the public about the proposals and allow them to respond • To understand any issues that might affect the proposals 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 on or near to the ORN in this TOG area including: • Elected politicians - We informed councillors in relevant wards, Members of Parliament and Assembly Members to ensure they were aware of the engagement • Local stakeholders - We 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 stakeholders is provided in Appendix C. 3.3 Engagement methodology A public engagement plan was developed in collaboration with Westminster and Lambeth council officers and was 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 - 6 - The ODA and TfL have engaged with relevant council officers about the design of the ORN and PRN measures since the publication 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 prior to announcing the location of the temporary Games Lanes across London and the rest of the UK in July 2010. This was followed by a consultation on the re-designated route and Penalty Charge Notification Levels. 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. A briefing for Westminster councillors was held on 11 May and for Lambeth councillors on 1 August 2011. In August 2011, and prior to any public activity, correspondence was sent to local politicians and key stakeholders in the area informing them of the temporary changes as well as the public engagement exercises in the local area. 3.3.2 Letter A letter and map detailing the key changes was delivered by a mail delivery agency to 11,475 properties along the route and by post and email to targeted stakeholders listed in Appendix C. The letter: • Provided an overview of the 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 • 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 for this TOG: Waterloo Suite, Novotel Waterloo, 113 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7LS • Tuesday 23 August, 16:30-19:30 - 7 - City Management Suite at City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP • Monday 5 September, 16:30–19:30 The Abbey Centre, 34 Great Smith Street Westminster London SW1P 3BU • Wednesday 7 September, 08:30-12:30 Attendance at drop-ins: Tuesday 23 August 2 attendees Monday 5 September 12 attendees Wednesday 7 September 6 attendees Each drop-in session comprised: • A display stand explaining the purpose of and background to the ORN/PRN • Large overview maps showing the sections of road involved • Large scale maps showing the proposed measures in detail (reproduced on the website) The drop-in session attendees were able to speak to the design specialists to gain a better understanding of the proposals and the Games in general. They were encouraged to fill out a feedback form. Analysis of these is contained within section 4. 3.3.5 Telephone queries Callers were able to make an enquiry or comment on the plans through TfL’s customer services lines; the number was listed on letters, emails and the website. 3.3.6 Other publicity The drop-in session dates and general information for TOG 9 were advertised in the Lambeth Post. - 8 - 4 Responses from members of the public 4.1 Public consultation results Reply method Number Website consultation tool 4 Email 4 Letter 2 Feedback forms from drop-in session 1 Total 11 This total includes stakeholder responses which are analysed in section 5.