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RESOLVED:
 
For the reasons set out in this report it
is recommended that Cabinet:
 
1. 
Approve
the recommendation to conduct a further non-statutory consultation
relating to the proposals described in section 8 of this report to
redesign Pembury Circus Junction and
implement a green corridor on Amhurst
Road and Mare Street between Reading Lane and Pembury Circus.

 
2. 
Approve
implementation of the proposals described in section 8 of this
report, subject to detailed design to be informed by further
non-statutory consultation and for the Assistant Director,
Streetscene (formerly titled Head of
Streetscene) to use his delegated
powers to decide on the detailed design.

 
3. 
Authorise
the Assistant Director, Streetscene to
make and implement the necessary Traffic Orders, subject to the
requirements of Local Authorities’ Traffic Order (Procedure)
(England and Wales) Regulations 1996; and following the relevant
statutory consultation with all objections/responses received to be
considered, recorded in writing, and signed by the Assistant
Director,  Streetscene in consultation with the Cabinet Member
for  Climate Change, Environment and
Transport.

 
REASONS FOR DECISION
 
This report recommends taking forward major improvements to
one of the most dangerous junctions on a Hackney borough road
currently suffering from excessive traffic causing congestion to
essential users and creating pollution. Despite testing many
options It has been found impractical to improve this junction
significantly without reducing traffic on at least one arm, and the
Amhurst Road approach offers the most
benefits to pedestrians and bus users.
 
A
bus gate is proposed because it will prioritise bus and rail users,
pedestrians and cyclists. This will improve the environment and
road safety. It will also enable a major improvement in the form of
a Green Corridor, which will be a significant asset to the area.
This will add to the visitor experience which can lead to increased
dwell time to appreciate local green spaces and make use of local
shops and facilities.
 
Our experience with other modal filters is that they can
produce an overall reduction in traffic. This scheme therefore
represents a continuing evolution of a Hackney road network in
which non-essential traffic is discouraged. Longer journeys will be
encouraged to stay out of the Borough altogether and many short
trips will shift to walking, cycling or public
transport.
 
These proposals are consistent with the requirements of the
Levelling Up Fund, as issued by the Department of Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities (DLUHC) on behalf of HM Government, and are
consistent with the Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy.
They are also consistent with the Council’s Transport
Strategy.
 
DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND
REJECTED
 
A.Do Nothing: This option was rejected on the
grounds that it would allow the continuation of poor road safety
and high pollution levels in the area.
 
B.Do minimum: Standard footpath repairs,
parking controls and signal timing adjustments also represent an
option but again would not produce the level of improvement
required, nor meet the requirements set for Levelling Up
Funding.
 
C. Re-construction of Pembury Circus without a bus gate.
The magnitude of the
difficulties at Pembury Circus justify
a major re-design of the junction. This option was studied in
detail using computer simulation. This showed that because of the
number of conflicting demands on the junction there is no option
that can cater for all movements and that at least one junction
approach needs to be constrained. The restriction at Amhurst is the one that appears to have the most
complementary benefits, such as improving conditions for
pedestrians and bus users.
 
D. Alternatives to a Bus Gate.
The use of strategic
sections of one-way restrictions could, in part, reduce traffic on
Amhurst Road. It would also, in theory,
be possible to restrict turning movements at Pembury Circus in such a way that traffic is
reduced. These would benefit a minority of motor vehicle users. The
use of turn bans and one-way systems, however, does not allow for
permit holders to be exempt. This would disadvantage Blue Badge
holders. Overall levels of traffic reduction would still not be low
enough to allow an optimal design of Pembury Circus.
 
E. Alternative locations and timings for the Bus
Gate. A
total of 4 alternative bus gate locations were analysed
including:
Option (a): Mare Street between the junction with Graham
Road and the junction with Amhurst
Road
 
Option (b): Mare Street, between the junction with
Amhurst Road and the loading bay
outside Iceland
 
Option (c): Amhurst Road
between the junction with Brett Road and the junction with Mare
Street
 
Option (d): Amhurst Road and Mare Street between the
junction with Brett Road and the junction with Graham
Road
 
One critical consideration was the need to allow for access
to Bohemia Place, the bus garage and the Iceland loading bay. So
option (d) was taken forward as the preferred option.