Public Engagement on Olympic Route Network – Traffic Order Group 16 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 19 6 Conclusion and actions from engagement 26 7 Appendices 26 A – Engagement Materials B – Distribution Area C – Stakeholder List - 2 - 1 Executive Summary A five week engagement exercise for Traffic Order Group (TOG) 16 in the London Borough of Wandsworth was held between 10 August and 14 September 2011. • Letters were sent to 303 key stakeholders and approx 39,831 local residents and businesses within c. 400m radius of the Olympic Route Network (ORN) • 52 people attended the three drop-in sessions • 29 responses were received via email, website, letter and drop-in session feedback forms Responses included concerns about pedestrian crossing and bus stop suspensions and that the proposals would create confusion, increased congestion and disruption to everyday lives. Some people were against the principles of the measures and costs involved and suggested that the Games Family should use public transport. There were also specific concerns about access to roads due to banned turns and mixed responses to the cycle lane changes. Other feedback included acceptance of inconvenience as price of hosting the Games and confusion around the maps and dates of operation. Wandsworth Council raised a number of queries, in particular about banned turns and the timing of the Games Lanes 7am-7pm. Transport for London (TfL) will consider all feedback received during the engagement process when developing the detailed designs. For example, TFL is committed to minimising the impact of the ORN and in Wandsworth, the ORN will only operate for the duration of the Olympic tennis event, 28 July to 5 August, with possibly a day or two either side. There are a number of locations on York Road and Battersea Park Road where the carriageway is three lanes wide. These locations can be prone to delay and are the reason why Games Lanes (particularly westbound) have been introduced. At these locations eastbound traffic, including Games Family, have a single lane to operate within. The present design proposes a change in the existing 7am-7pm kerbside controls to operate seven days a week. Further design reviews have demonstrated that this kerbside restriction needs to be taken further to ‘no stopping at any time’. This change is required on safety grounds as any vehicle parking would present an obstacle to traffic flow as on some sections there will be bollards along the centre of the road to prevent right turning movements in to / out of side roads. Temporarily removing overnight parking at these critical locations will ensure that West Hill, York Road and Battersea Park Road can operate after 7pm in the evening. This further design enhancement did not feature on the engagement maps but is required on safety grounds and TfL will continue to work with the London Borough of Wandsworth on this necessary design change. - 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 16, which falls into phase four of the ORN engagement. TOG 16 covers roads within the London Borough of Wandsworth from Wimbledon Park Side 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 Wimbledon Park Side 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 Wandsworth. 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) • Restricted turns and lane closures • Suspension of sections of the Cycle Super Highway • Suspension of bus stops and bus lanes - 4 - • Suspension of four pedestrian crossings 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 Wandsworth 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 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. - 6 - 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 Wandsworth councillors was held on 5 July 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 39,831 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: Battersea Park Library, 309 Battersea Park Road, SW11 4NF • Monday 22 August, 16:00-19:00 Wandsworth Town Library, 11 Garratt Lane SW18 4AQ • Tuesday 6 September, 16:00-19:00 - 7 - Putney Library, 5/7 Disraeli Road, SW15 2DR • Wednesday 7 September, 16:30-19:30 Attendance at drop-ins: Monday 22 August 24 attendees Tuesday 6 September 13 attendees Wednesday 7 September 15 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.