Purpose

To authorise officers to implement the permanent Traffic Management Orders necessary for the Lower Road Safety Improvements scheme (C4) and to revoke and/or modify the existing Traffic Management Orders.

Decision

1. That the 223 representations received during the statutory consultation on the proposed Lower Road C4 scheme, which includes bus priority measures, cycle lanes, waiting and loading restrictions, banned-turn movement restrictions and changes to parking provision on Lower Road, be considered. The consultation was formally advertised under reference TMO2526-042, and the representations are summarised in paragraphs 21-28 and set out in full in Appendix 2.
2. That the officer responses to the grounds of objection raised in relation to the proposed Lower Road C4 scheme be considered, as summarised in paragraph 29 and set out in detail in Appendix 1.
3. That officers be authorized to make the permanent Traffic Management Orders referred to in paragraph 16 of this report and to revoke and/or modify the existing Traffic Management Orders referred to in paragraph 17. These Orders shall be made, revoked and/or modified in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (the 1984 Act) and the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996 (the 1996 Regulations).
4. That it be noted that the scheme is currently operating under Temporary Traffic Management Orders (TTMOs). As the TTMOs were due to expire on 28 May 2026, they have been extended for six months, from 29 May 2026 to 28 November 2026, to maintain the existing arrangements pending a decision on the proposed permanent scheme.
5. That officers be instructed to notify all individuals and organisations who made representations, informing them of the Council’s decision.
6. That officers be instructed to write to local communities to inform them of the Council’s decision on the scheme, provide updates on the Surrey Quays Gyratory scheme in due course, and prepare a monitoring and evaluation plan for the Lower Road C4 scheme. Officers shall continue to engage with ward councillors and the wider community to monitor the scheme and identify opportunities to improve bus performance and reduce congestion.