The meeting scheduled for Tuesday 13 October 2026 was to consider proposals for the Romford Road Public Realm Improvement Scheme, specifically focusing on overruling objections to bus lane operations and enabling works for a section of the scheme. The decision-maker was Dhiresh Bhatt, Director of Highways, Parking and Transportation.

Romford Road Public Realm Improvement Scheme: Overruling of Bus Lane Operation Objections and Enabling Works for Section F Southwest Segment

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the Romford Road Public Realm Improvement Scheme, with a particular focus on Section F, the southwest segment between Katherine Road and Shrewsbury Road. The report pack indicated that the Director of Highways, Parking and Transportation was requested to approve the overruling of outstanding objections related to bus lane operations. This decision would enable the making of necessary statutory Traffic Management Orders (TMOs) and the commencement of enabling works for the highway measures outlined in the scheme.

The scheme, which has been awarded funding exceeding £10 million since 2021 from sources including the Levelling Up Fund and Transport for London (TfL)'s Local Implementation Plan (LIP), aims to create a safer, more attractive, and accessible street environment along Romford Road. This key east-west corridor in Newham is intended to support sustainable travel alternatives.

The report pack detailed that statutory consultation for Section F had taken place in February 2025, resulting in one petition and 32 correspondences, with 28 objections received. The majority of these objections pertained to the proposed 24-hour bus lane operation and the consequent loss of parking. Other concerns included the introduction of pay-by-phone parking, the stepped cycle track, and loading arrangements.

Officers had previously obtained delegated authority in January 2026 to overrule all objections except those concerning bus lane operations, which were subject to further investigation and liaison with TfL. The report pack indicated that the recommendation was to overrule the remaining objections to the 24-hour bus lane operation.

The proposals for Section F, previously approved under a Key Decision on 10 February 2025, included:

• Creating stepped separated cycle lanes
• Footway improvements
• New pedestrian and cycle crossings
• Continuous footways at side roads
• New waiting, loading, and parking restrictions
• A 24-hour bus lane
• Bus stop relocation, and accessibility and infrastructure improvements

The report pack highlighted that independent traffic modelling by AECOM, audited by TfL, suggested that while some localised increases in delay were identified, the overall impact on the road network would be limited. Concerns regarding air quality were addressed by the modelling, which did not predict significant adverse effects. The report also noted that TfL's Bus Priority Team advised that 24-hour bus lane operation was required to maximise bus priority benefits and ensure consistency with the approved corridor strategy.

The report pack also discussed engagement with affected frontages, businesses, and residents, and noted that evidence from comparable schemes in London suggested that such public realm improvements can support local economic vitality. The potential impacts on elderly and disabled users were also considered, with the report stating that improvements to bus reliability offer direct accessibility benefits.

The report pack outlined that the scheme aligns with the Mayor's Transport Strategy, Vision Zero, and TfL's Cycling Action Plan, aiming to encourage modal shift away from private car use and improve conditions for walking, cycling, and public transport. Alternative options considered and rejected included the do nothing option and extending existing bus lane hours without introducing full 24-hour operation, both deemed less effective in meeting the scheme's objectives.

The financial implications detailed in the report pack indicated that the estimated cost for the Section F southwest segment works was £0.910 million, with funding available from TfL and Newham Council's Active Sustainable Transport budget. Legal implications related to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Highways Act 1980 were also outlined. The report pack also addressed the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010, stating that the proposals were not expected to have significant socio-economic impacts, though parking availability would decrease and become subject to charges.

The report pack included a draft officer response to objections relating to the 24-hour bus lane, which detailed the council's rationale for overruling these objections. This response emphasised the strategic importance of Romford Road, the role of buses in providing accessible transport, and the findings of traffic modelling and TfL's requirements. It also addressed concerns about parking, loading, business operations, and impacts on elderly and disabled residents, concluding that the benefits of the proposed 24-hour bus lane outweighed the objections.

The decision-maker, Dhiresh Bhatt, Director of Highways, Parking and Transportation, was presented with recommendations to approve the overruling of objections, agree to the making of outstanding Traffic Management Orders, and grant delegated authority for the implementation of the Section F southwest segment measures. The report pack also noted the outcome of the TfL Road Space Performance Review Group process and previous partial overruling of objections in early 2026.