The Skills, Economy and Growth Scrutiny Commission met to discuss the development of Hackney's new Transport Strategy and to review the council's work programme for the upcoming year. Key discussions included the incorporation of public feedback into the transport strategy, collaboration with Transport for London, and the automation of parking appeals processing.

Transport Strategy and Collaboration: Transport for London and London Borough of Hackney

The Commission received an update on the development of Hackney's new Transport Strategy for 2026-2036. The strategy aims to create a modern, efficient and sustainable main road network that connects all of Hackney's diverse communities in an inclusive, safe, fair and accessible way. This vision was drafted by members of a citizen-led main roads strategy group.

Feedback from a public engagement survey, which received 1,437 responses, highlighted several overarching themes. These included a division of opinion on the impact of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), with some residents reporting benefits while others criticised their effect on bus routes and access to local shops. Concerns were also raised about safety beyond traffic, with a desire for safer public spaces free from crime and inconsiderate road user behaviour. Inclusivity and accessibility for disabled, elderly, and less mobile residents were frequently requested, with specific mention of the lack of lifts at stations like London Fields and difficulties for those with mobility issues using buses. The quality and reliability of public transport, as well as the condition of road and pavement infrastructure, were also key concerns. While environmental goals were generally supported, their practical implementation and local impacts were a source of discussion.

Transport for London (TfL) presented its Mayor's Transport Strategy, highlighting progress in areas such as cycling, road safety, air quality, and traffic reduction. TfL noted that daily cycle journeys in London have increased significantly, and air quality has improved, with London now compliant with annual mean nitrogen dioxide (NO2) limits for the first time. Overall traffic levels in London have fallen by 6% since 2019. TfL also detailed its integrated approach to Safe & Healthy Streets planning, using strategic datasets to prioritise schemes based on road danger, bus network performance, cycling potential, and walking severance. Wider considerations for scheme prioritisation include equality and inclusion, using deprivation data and the percentage of Black and Minority Ethnic populations, as well as supporting growth in opportunity areas and areas with population growth.

In Hackney, TfL has invested £4.7 million in the borough's cycle network since 2020, with a further £5.6 million for borough corridors and neighbourhoods, and £1 million for cycle training and parking. Hackney has achieved a high sustainable mode share of 87%, with nearly all schools not on main roads having school streets, full 20mph coverage, and approximately 75% Local Transport Network (LTN) coverage. The borough also boasts the highest cycling mode share in London and has implemented three low traffic high streets. Challenges remain on main roads, which are often more complex and harder to deliver. TfL and Hackney Council are working together on initiatives such as the expansion of Lane Rental schemes, Bus Sense for better roadworks coordination, and FUSION signals for smarter traffic management.

The development of the new Hackney Transport Strategy is a 10-year programme, with a draft evidence base published in March 2025. Public and stakeholder engagement took place from March to June 2025, followed by deliberative engagement in October and November 2025. The Commission was presented with the draft strategy prior to its formal public consultation, scheduled for January 2026.

Parking Appeals Automation of Notice Processing

The Commission received an update on a project to automate the processing of parking appeals notices, aiming to improve efficiency and deliver budget savings. The council is trialling a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool to assist case officers by drafting responses to parking appeals for review and approval. Hackney issues a high volume of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), with nearly a quarter of a million issued in 2023/24, and approximately 62,000 appeals in 2024/25.

The new system aims to streamline the process by summarising appeal information and aligning it with parking service policies to recommend a decision. This is expected to reduce the time taken per case from 15 minutes to 10 minutes, increasing productivity by 40%. Savings will be achieved through not replacing staff who leave vacant posts. The system is designed as an isolated, closed system, not a generative AI, and its primary function is to interpret incoming disputes and populate relevant fields for officers. Data protection has been a key concern, with assurances that no training is being conducted on resident data. The system has demonstrated a 95% accuracy rate in reliability during testing.

Members raised concerns about the verification process without reviewing all correspondence, data privacy, potential for scope creep of AI into other teams, and the council's trust in the system's reliability, particularly regarding nuanced judgment and potential for bias. Officers explained that a human element remains crucial, with all decisions verified by an officer, and that the system focuses on automating straightforward cases to allow staff to concentrate on more complex ones. The council has a rigorous quality control process, with all cases double-checked by team leaders during the trial phase.

Skills, Economy and Growth Scrutiny Commission Work Programme 2025/26

The Commission reviewed the draft work programme for 2025/26. Key items include a focus on the business voice in January 2026 to assess the efficiency and reach of the council's business support, and an evaluation of the Night-time Economy Strategy in March 2026. The work programme also includes a proposed site visit to the Green Skills hub in February 2026. The Commission agreed to the proposed work programme.