BRAG reports that more local people are against, than for, the trial

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On 22nd February, Camden Council Cabinet met to make the decision on whether the one-way road layout trial (Experimental Traffic Order) on Tavistock Place and Torrington Place should be made permanent or scrapped. BRAG made a presentation to the meeting.  The outcome of the meeting was that the Cabinet referred the matter to an independent public inquiry; we understand this must take place within six months.

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What BRAG said

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The points made to the Cabinet, by BRAG Chair, Nicky Coates were:

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1. Local people are angry and concerned because the consultation has been inadequate, and also because the displaced traffic from the trial has caused hugely increased congestion and pollution, and has even been holding up emergency vehicles; this in an area with three major hospitals and three major rail stations – an area of high security risk which has been the subject of previous terrorist attacks.

2. BRAG has produced a compromise plan which would be good for all the community, with two separate cycle lanes and two-way traffic.  We know the Council papers find fault with this plan – but traffic experts say it is a viable alternative and allows for a fairer sharing of road space; this alternative plan means there would be no need for the one-way system, and its consequential choking congestion, in surrounding communities.

3. If there is a public inquiry, we are asking that the merits of alternative plans, including our two-way plan and the possibility of west-bound (as opposed to east-bound) one-way traffic, be independently assessed as part of that. And, if there is a public inquiry, we are asking: why do the Cabinet papers say the Council would take steps towards making the trial permanent before a final decision is made?

4. Finally, the Council tells us that 79% said ‘yes’ to the trial. But 79% of who? The vast majority of those who responded (86%) do not even live in the borough of Camden. It should be the local people who count.  The Council could find only 564 local (WC1) residents in favour of the trial; whereas the BRAG petition found 760 against. So, of those who have expressed a view, more local people are against, than for, the trial. And those are the views that should count.

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So BRAG very much welcomes an independent review and supported the proposal for a public inquiry, at the Cabinet meeting.

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The proceedings of the Cabinet can be viewed on video at:

http://camden.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/272182

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Next steps

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The next step will be a meeting for all parties with the Independent Inspector, who will decide on the scope of the Inquiry.  BRAG will be asking the Inspector to consider not only the trial layout, but alternative schemes, including our compromise plan.  We await information from the Council on meeting dates.

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Public inquiry triggered by failure to follow key procedural steps – at cost of c.£100,000

 

Although BRAG supports the independent inquiry, this is not something we had asked for.  It was apparently considered to be advisable by the Council, because they had failed to follow certain procedural steps which are required of Councils when making an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO).  This is explained in the Council Cabinet documents:

 

'An ETO can be made permanent without further notice and consultation if specific procedural steps have been followed throughout, but it seems that copy documents, which were stated to be on deposit once the ETO had been made, could not be inspected by the public at the due place and time at the start of the relevant period, so the safer course is to proceed with re-advertising and making provision for objections to be made in what would be the normal way if the shortened process is not followed.' (‘Torrington Place/Tavistock Place route – Trial Traffic Scheme’ Paragraph 3.2)

 

BRAG had complained to the Council about their flawed procedures on consultation on many fronts but had not been aware of this particular oversight by the Council.  The cost of the public inquiry will be in the region of £100,000.  (‘Torrington Place/Tavistock Place route – Trial Traffic Scheme’ paragraph 10.2)

 

Cabinet papers on the trial can be viewed at: http://democracy.camden.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=29988#mgDocuments