Aled Richards, the Corporate Director of Environment & Sustainable Transport at Newham Council, made the decision to proceed with the implementation of the Romford Road Active Travel Scheme's Section F East. The decision will see the installation of new separated cycle tracks, pedestrian safety improvements and changes to parking, waiting and loading restrictions on Romford Road between Woodgrange Park Station and Station Road. The decision was made following a public engagement exercise that took place between 26 February and 24 March 2024.

LUF Romford Road Active Travel: Section F - Katherine Road and Station Road

The decision was made to proceed with the implementation of the Romford Road Active Travel Scheme's Section F East, following an engagement exercise undertaken from 26 February until 24 March 2024. The engagement sought feedback on the developed design proposals for Section F of Romford Road. This section runs from Katherine Road to Station Road.

The scheme is funded by a £8.7m grant from the Levelling Up Fund.

The Romford Road Corridor is a key walking and cycling route running east-west through the Borough and is a key component of the strategy presented in the LUF submission.

Section F of the scheme involves:

• Creating stepped separated cycle lanes¹
• Footway improvements
• New pedestrian and cycle crossings
• New blended crossings on all sideroad junctions
• New trees and low level planting
• New sustainable urban drainage (SuDS)
• Removing, changing and relocating parking and loading bays from Romford Road onto side roads
• Bus stop accessibility and infrastructure improvements
• Changing bus lane and waiting & loading restrictions

The report recognised that there will be a small net loss of parking bays overall across the extent of the proposals, but notes that this small loss will be offset by underutilisation of existing parking places in the area. The report acknowledges that:

This small loss is therefore deemed to have a neutral impact on parking revenue and the ability for residents, businesses and visitors to park.

There was support from the public and key stakeholders for the implementation of the proposed measures. The scheme aims to:

• Make it easier and safer for people to choose to walk, cycle and use public transport for local journeys
• Improve road safety and reduce the risk of traffic accidents
• Create a better road that people enjoy using

These objectives align with the Mayor of Newham’s manifesto pledge to:

Work with Transport for London to expand our cycling facilities and cycle routes as part of our plans to create a borough-wide cycle network, including good quality cycle provision for Romford Road and Barking Road.

The decision was made to grant delegated authority to implement the Section F East measures, to advertise all necessary statutory Traffic Management Orders (TMO’s) for the highways measures between Katherine Road and Station Road, and, subject to any material objections being received, to proceed with ‘making’ the advertised Traffic Management Orders. A separate decision report will be brought forward to consider any objections received.

The borough's term contractor, Kenson Highways, has estimated the works cost of Section F East at approximately £560,000. It has been estimated that design, engagement, staff and TfL fees to deliver section F, and the statutory consultation, will require a budget in the region of £200,000. The works are scheduled to be completed by 7 October 2024.

The decision was made under the authority delegated to Level 1 officers as defined in Part 3 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

An [Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA)](https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/equality-impact-assessments-overview#:~:text=An%20equality%20impact%20assessment%20(EqIA,on%20people%20with%20protected%20characteristics.) was completed and approved on 19 August 2024 (Ref case number EQIA- 639707366). The assessment concluded that the scheme will advance equality by inducing more physical activity, especially for older and younger people.

The adoption and delivery of the 15-minute neighbourhoods programme is likely to have a positive impact on the equalities aim and bring about specific benefits to disabled people by adding more direct and segregated routes, widening footways, creating level surfaces, drop kerbs and tactile paving.