The Environment Select Committee of Kensington and Chelsea Council met on Tuesday 17 March 2026 to discuss a range of transport-related issues, road safety data, and the ongoing closure of Albert Bridge. The committee reviewed Transport for London's (TfL) transport policies, examined the latest road collision and casualty data for the borough, and received an update on the progress to reopen Albert Bridge to traffic.

Transport for London - Transport Policy

The committee scrutinised the functions and services provided by Transport for London (TfL) within the borough. TfL's responsibilities in Kensington and Chelsea include managing London's public buses, Underground and Overground stations, taxis and private hire vehicles, the TfL Road Network (Red Routes), traffic signals, river transportation, and the Santander cycle hire scheme. TfL also enforces the Ultra Low Emission Zone and delivers the Mayor's Transport Strategy. Areas for discussion included changes to bus routes, specifically routes 211 and 52, and passenger numbers. The committee also sought updates on plans to make South Kensington Underground station step-free, and the feasibility of making Ladbroke Grove, Latimer Road, and Notting Hill Gate stations step-free. Further topics included the regulation of dockless e-bike hire, noise issues from the Central Line at Notting Hill Gate, Underground performance including the introduction of new Piccadilly line trains and temporary station closures, and cyclist and pedestrian safety at various junctions. The committee also discussed future public transport demand in Earl's Court due to new developments.

Temporary Closure of Albert Bridge to Traffic

The committee received an update on the circumstances leading to the temporary closure of Albert Bridge to motor vehicles on 7 February 2026. A routine inspection revealed a cracked cast-iron component within the north-eastern toll booth, which forms part of the bridge's structural support. Specialist engineering consultants advised that the damage was sufficiently serious to prevent the bridge from reopening to motor traffic until the defect is repaired. Efforts to reopen the bridge are ongoing, with engineers exploring two options for permanent repair: one retaining the original 1873 design and another involving an engineering upgrade. Temporary repair options are also being investigated. The council has implemented measures to mitigate the disruption caused by the closure, including keeping the bridge open to pedestrians and cyclists, installing monitoring equipment, rephasing planned roadworks, and collaborating with TfL and Wandsworth Council to manage traffic signals and analyse traffic data. A Key Decision regarding the repair of Albert Bridge was scheduled to be considered by the Council's Leadership Team on 25 March.

2024 Road Collision and Casualty Data

The committee reviewed the 2024 road casualty data for Kensington and Chelsea. In 2024, there was one fatality, a decrease from three in 2023. However, Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) casualties increased by six per cent to 132, while slight casualties decreased by 14 per cent, resulting in a ten per cent overall decrease in total road casualties to 612. The report highlighted that 73 per cent of 2024 KSI casualties occurred on roads managed by Kensington and Chelsea, with the remaining 27 per cent on the Transport for London Route Network (TLRN). The fatal collision occurred on the TLRN. The Kensington High Street/Kensington Road corridor was identified as having the highest number of casualties on borough-managed roads. A draft road safety study commissioned by officers indicated that 87 per cent of KSI casualties in the borough between 2021 and 2024 were vulnerable road users, with cyclists accounting for a third of these. The study also noted that the majority of drivers involved in collisions were not residents, limiting the council's ability to engage with them. The report recommended a programme of engineering interventions and targeted enforcement as part of a future Road Safety Strategy. The committee was invited to comment on planned interventions, including a road safety study for the Kensington High Street/Kensington Road corridor, and to consider writing to the Department for Transport to request better data on e-bike involvement in collisions.

Select Committee Work Programme 2025/2026

The committee received an update on its work programme for the municipal year 2025/2026. This included a review of TfL's performance, the Road Safety Annual Review, and scrutiny of the council's delivery of active travel initiatives. The committee also noted the update on Albert Bridge and the progress of recommendations from the Local Plan Policies Review Working Group. Items suggested for future meetings included reviews of the Markets Plan, noise and nuisance performance, and licensing enforcement.