The Crime, Environment and Transport Scrutiny Commission of Newham Council was scheduled to discuss several key issues impacting the borough. These included an update on Thames Water's investment programme and its impact on residents, a review of road safety and kerbside infrastructure, and an examination of capital investment in highways maintenance and sustainable transport initiatives.

Thames Water Investment Programme

The Commission was scheduled to consider an update on Thames Water's investment programme within Newham, focusing on the delivery of future street works. The report pack detailed Thames Water's ongoing efforts to replace ageing water mains, including significant investment in areas like E7, E13, and E16 as part of a wider 10-year plan to reduce leakage and improve water supply resilience. The report highlighted the regulatory context under which Thames Water operates, including duties under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and oversight by OFWAT.

Challenges related to emergency works and the coordination of these with the Council's Network Management Team were outlined. The report detailed the permit processing system for works, inspection regimes, and how impacts on residents and businesses are managed. Specific attention was given to the Northern Outfall Sewer (NOS) and Greenway projects, detailing planned works to upgrade vital sewer infrastructure and the resulting closures and diversion routes for the Greenway. The report also provided statistics on Thames Water's permit activity, defects, and overrunning works, alongside a summary of impacts and lessons learned from previous schemes, such as the Woodford 50 project. The forward look included proposals for improved communication and collaboration with the Council and residents.

Road Safety and Kerbside Infrastructure

A report was scheduled to be presented on Newham's approach to road safety and kerbside infrastructure. This included an analysis of collision and casualty trends within the borough, both including and excluding the Transport for London (TfL) road network. The report identified priority risk groups and locations, referencing TfL's Healthy Streets Mapping and Vision Zero priority links.

The statutory duties relating to road danger, as outlined in the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Greater London Authority Act 1999, were to be discussed. This included the requirement for highway authorities to conduct studies into road traffic casualties and implement preventative measures, as well as the obligation to prepare and implement Local Implementation Plans (LIPs) in accordance with the Mayor of London's Transport Strategy. The report also addressed the allocation of kerbside space, prioritising sustainable modes of travel and safety, and highlighted key interventions delivered, such as the borough-wide 20mph speed limit and Healthy School Streets zones. The report detailed how interventions are prioritised, considering factors like TfL Healthy Streets data, community requests, and casualty data. Operational and financial constraints, including reliance on TfL funding and the lengthy process for changes to signalised junctions, were also to be examined. The effectiveness and compliance of the 20mph speed limit were to be reviewed, alongside discussions on enforcement responsibilities for speeding, road racing, and other moving traffic offences, noting the limitations of the Council's enforcement powers compared to the Metropolitan Police Service. The report also covered parking offences and the Council's role in tackling casualty hotspots through reactive, proactive, and responsive approaches, as well as targeted safety campaigns.

Capital Investment in Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport

The Commission was set to review the future of the Keeping Newham Moving Fund and its interaction with the Active Sustainable Travel Programme. The report detailed the history and scope of the Keeping Newham Moving (KNM) programme, initiated in 2014/15, which focuses on footway and carriageway resurfacing and street lighting upgrades. The programme supports the Council's legal obligations to maintain a safe highway and has been extended to 2025/26.

The report highlighted the close link between KNM and the Active Sustainable Travel (AST) programme, with works often jointly managed and coordinated to enhance asset life and reduce costs. The operational delivery of projects was to be discussed, outlining a standardised process aligned with RIBA stages for scheme identification, design, and delivery. The planned maintenance process for roads, structures, and streetlighting was also to be presented, detailing survey frequencies and asset management systems. The report provided data on the impact of capital investment, showing a reduction in the maintenance backlog and significant savings in reactive maintenance, insurance claims, and energy costs. It also outlined proposals for the extension of the KNM programme from 2026/27 to 2031/32, including investment in highway structures, street lighting, and drainage, with potential funding sources identified. Options for future investment were presented, with the Silver option of maintaining the network at a steady state being put forward. The report concluded by detailing current and potential future projects, their expected completion dates, budgets, and key benefits, linking the overall programme to the Council's Corporate Delivery Plan and its commitment to inclusive economic growth and climate emergency response.

Work Programme

The Commission was also scheduled to review and confirm its work programme for the upcoming year. This involved identifying key topics for consideration, defining the purpose and scope of each, establishing timelines, and determining the departments, external agencies, and expert witnesses to be involved. The report presented the agreed work plan for 2025-26, developed in consultation with relevant Council directorates and community partners.