The Streets and Walkways Sub (Planning and Transportation) Committee were scheduled to discuss improvements to public spaces, micromobility schemes, and proposed changes to the Transport for London (TfL) congestion charge at their meeting.

The committee was expected to discuss and make decisions on the Temple Avenue public realm improvements, the Fenchurch Street Area Healthy Streets Plan, and micromobility schemes. They were also scheduled to discuss the City of London Corporation's response to the TfL consultation on proposed changes to the congestion charge.

Temple Avenue Public Realm Improvements

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on proposed public realm improvements to Temple Avenue, as part of the Cool Streets and Greening programme. The project aims to enhance the area between the new Thames Tideway public space and the emerging transformation of Fleet Street.

The report outlined two options for the project:

• Option 1: Introduction of a 3-metre-wide dedicated cycle lane at carriageway level, separated from pedestrians by a kerb.
• Option 2: Creation of a pedestrian-priority public space with no separation between people walking and cycling.

Both options include:

• Introduction of trees and planters.
• Permanent improvements and wider pavements to replace temporary parklets.
• Improved crossings with raised tables or dropped kerbs.
• Relocation of disabled parking bays and a motorcycle bay to a nearby street.
• Removal of vehicle access to Temple Avenue south from Tallis Street to the junction with Victoria Embankment.

The committee was asked to agree to take both options forward for public consultation in autumn 2025. The estimated project budget is between £750,000 and £900,000, funded by the Cool Streets and Greening programme and section 106 contributions¹.

Fenchurch Street Area Healthy Streets Plan

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on the Fenchurch Street Area Healthy Streets Plan, which provides a framework for improvements to streets and public spaces in the area. The plan aims to improve safety and comfort for people walking, wheeling and cycling, and integrates with new developments and public realm changes secured as part of Section 106 and Section 278 agreements².

Proposals to be explored include:

• Pavement widening, public realm improvements, and new or improved crossings on Fenchurch Street, Eastcheap and Great Tower Street.
• Changes to traffic management and parking in Crescent and America Square to increase pedestrian priority and create new public spaces.
• Traffic management changes on Fenchurch Place and Mark Lane to improve public safety and increase pedestrian space.
• New public spaces on Vine Street, St Dunstan's Hill and Monument Street.
• Raising junctions, crossings and sections of carriageway to pavement levels to improve pedestrian priority.
• Relocating on street parking to enable pavement widening and public realm improvements.
• New architectural feature lighting under railway viaduct arches and laneway entrances.

The committee was asked to approve the draft Healthy Streets Plan for public and stakeholder consultation in September 2025, and to approve an additional budget of £70,000 to reach the next gateway, funded from S106 deposits. The total estimated cost of the project is £170,000.

Micromobility Update and Memorandum of Understanding

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on micromobility schemes in the Square Mile and consider entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with dockless bike hire operators.

The report noted that the English Devolution Bill white paper indicated the government would bring forward legislation to give strategic transport authorities the power to regulate on-street micromobility schemes. Pending this legislation, officers have been liaising with representatives from Lime and Forest to agree the terms and conditions of an MoU.

The MoU includes agreements to:

• Require users to park in mandatory parking bays.
• Compel operators to manage parking compliance through their apps.
• Require operators to manage fleet numbers effectively.
• Provide higher quality data on on-street operations.
• Pay regular financial contributions to use parking bays.
• Require operators to respond to reports of poorly parked bikes within 90 minutes.

The committee was asked to authorise the Executive Director Environment to enter into the MoUs and to agree to continue participation in the e-scooter trial managed by TfL.

TfL Congestion Charge Consultation Response

The committee was scheduled to discuss the City Corporation's response to TfL's consultation on proposed changes to the Congestion Charge.

TfL are consulting on proposals to:

• Increase the daily charge from £15 to £18.
• Reduce the Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) for electric vans and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) from 100% to 50% (25% from 2030).
• Reduce the CVD for electric cars from 100% to 25% (12.5% from 2030).
• Remove the 90% Residents' Discount for new applicants with a non-electric vehicle from 2027.

Officers recommended supporting TfL's proposals, with one amendment: the full removal of the CVD for cars from 2030, rather than the proposed reduction to 12.5%.

Other Matters

The committee was also scheduled to consider reports on:

• Policy and Projects Delegated Decisions - April to June 2025
• Outstanding References