Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Built Environment Cabinet Member for City Management, Transport and Environment Cabinet Member for Business

Cabinet Member Report

Decision Maker:	Cabinet Member for Built Environment Cabinet Member for City Management, Transport and Environment Cabinet Member for Business
Date:	29 May 2013
Classification:	For General Release
Title:	Regent Street Footway Improvements Phase 2
Wards Affected:	West End
Key Decision:	N/A
Financial Summary:	The estimated cost of implementing the Regent Street footway improvements Phase 2 undertaken by the City Council is £4,125,000 The estimated cost of monitoring the New Burlington Street footway improvements undertaken by The Crown Estate is £55,000 All costs incurred by the City Council will be fully funded by The Crown Estate
Report of:	Strategic Director of Built Environment and City Commissioner of Transportation

1. Executive Summary

This report presents proposals to improve the highway and environment of Regent Street and surrounding streets by:

• 
  widening the western footway of Regent Street between its junctions with Vigo Street and Conduit Street and repaving with new yorkstone;
  
• 
  introduce a central median in Regent Street between its junctions with Vigo Street and Conduit Street paved in new granite setts;
  
• 
  repaving the southern footway of New Burlington Street with new yorkstone;
  
• 
  resurfacing carriageways to the extents shown the plans attached to this report;
  
• 
  improving public lighting and hanging lights from buildings;
  
• 
  improving drainage;
  
• 
  changing New Burlington Street from two way to one way eastbound traffic flow;
  
• 
  change Glasshouse Street from two way to one way eastbound traffic flow between its junctions with Regent Street and Warwick Street;
  
• 
  modifying parking arrangements in New Burlington Street to accommodate development proposals;
  
• 
  introducing a loading bay and Taxi Bay on the northern side of Vigo Street;
  
• 
  restricting access into Heddon Street from Regent Street to left turn only and egress from Heddon Street into Regent Street to left turn only and to change the pedestrianised zone hours in Heddon Street from 12:00 noon to 03:00am (as at present) to 11:00am to 03:00am; and
  
• 
  reducing street clutter.
  

This report also seeks approval to:

• 
  the design and implementation of the proposals;
  
• 
  capital expenditure necessary to design and implement the scheme;
  
• 
  modify and make traffic regulation orders necessary to accommodate the proposals;
  
• 
  delegate authority to the City Commissioner of Transportation to approve minor modifications to the scheme in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members.
  

2. Recommendations

2.1 That approval be given to the design and implementation of the highway improvements shown on Plans A to F attached in Appendix B.

2.2 That approval be given to capital expenditure of £4,180,000 to enable the implementation and site monitoring of the works. All costs are to be met by The Crown Estate.

2.3 That approval be given to modify and make traffic regulation orders under sections 6 and 45 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 necessary to accommodate the streetscape improvements and traffic measure, together with the Statement of Reasons attached as Appendix C.

2.4 That authority be delegated to the City Commissioner of Transportation to approve minor modifications to the scheme in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members and to enter into any legal agreements needed to secure the funding and carrying out of the works.

3. Reasons for Decision

3.1 The proposed highway improvements identified in this report will compliment the improvements implemented as part of the Quadrant development at Piccadilly Circus and Phase 1 of the Regent Street footway widening scheme which widened the eastern footway from Piccadilly Circus to Air Street and was completed in June 2012 and will:

• 
  improve the pedestrian environment along Regent Street whilst maintaining bus and traffic movement, by widening the western footway, introducing a central median strip and repaving the highway using high quality natural materials, improving public lighting, improving drainage, retaining bus lanes, retaining taxi ranks and introducing additional and improved bus stops and shelters;
  
• 
  improve the pedestrian movement at the junction of Regent Street with Glasshouse Street by providing better crossing facilities;
  
• 
  improve vehicular movements along New Burlington Street by changing vehicular flows to one way eastbound and rationalising parking, taxi and loading facilities;
  
• 
  improve vehicular movements along Glasshouse Street by changing vehicular flows to one way eastbound between its junctions with Regent Street and Warwick Street;
  
• 
  Introduce a dedicated loading bay and Taxi bay in Vigo Street; and
  
• 
  Improve the pedestrian environment of Heddon Street by changing the pedestrianised zone hours from 12:00 noon to 03:00am (as at present) to 11:00am to 03:00am.
  

3.2 The estimated cost of the proposals identified in this report is £4,180,000 which includes client costs, risks and contingencies, and will be fully funded by The Crown Estate.

3.3 The Cabinet Member for Built Environment, the Cabinet Member for City Management, Environment and Transport, and the Cabinet Member for Business are therefore recommended to approve the proposals outlined in this report and the capital expenditure necessary to implement the works.

4

. Background, including Policy Context

4.1 Following the success of the Quadrant redevelopment and the Phase 1 of the Regent Street footway widening of the eastern footway between Piccadilly Circus and Air Street The Crown Estate has asked the City Council to build on this success by implementing further highway improvements in Regent Street and the adjoining streets by widening the western footway of Regent Street between its junction with Vigo Street and Conduit Street, introducing a central median strip in Regent Street between its junctions of Vigo Street and Conduit Street, changing New Burlington Street from two way to one way traffic flow eastbound, changing Glasshouse Street from two way to one way traffic flow eastbound between its junctions with Regent Street and Warwick Street and introducing a loading bay and taxi bay on the northern side of Vigo Street.

4.2 The City Council’s service provider West One have been commissioned to prepare the initial design for the highway improvements and subject to approval to progress the project through to completion.

4.3 During the design of the highway improvements significant level problems were identified between Piccadilly Circus and Vigo Street that require an innovative approach to overcome. Unfortunately the design of this section of Regent Street will not be completed in sufficient time to be included in this phase of the project. The redesign of Regent Street between its junctions between Piccadilly Circus and Vigo Street, Phase 3, will be the subject of a future Cabinet Member report once the designs have been completed.

4.4 The proposed scheme retains the bus lanes in Regent Street and it is intended to monitor their use and appropriateness after the scheme has been in place for 18 months and other measures assisting cyclists are in place

4.5 In March 2013 a 20 inches Thames Water trunk main burst, closing Regent Street to vehicular traffic. During this closure the opportunity was taken to implement an interim scheme along Regent Street at its junction with Glasshouse Street and Vigo Street consistent with the proposals identified in this report. These measures had widespread support.

4.6 The Crown Estate is progressing two developments in Regent Street adjacent to New Burlington Street which are both the subject of section 106 agreements containing obligations for highway improvements to New Burlington Street and Regent Street. The Crown Estate has asked the City Council to consider allowing them to implement the highway works obligations contained within the section 106 agreements using a contractor appointed by themselves. The extent of the works requested to be carried out by The Crown Estate’s contractors are shown on the Phasing Plan F attached as Appendix B.

4.7 Cabinet Member approval for the design and implementation of the Piccadilly Two Way Scheme Part Two proposals were given on 27 March 2013. Works associated with this scheme and the Regent Street works will be carefully managed and co-ordinated to keep disruption pedestrians, traffic and local businesses to a minimum.

4.8 The Crown Estate have asked for the pedestrianisation zone hours in Heddon Street to be change from 12:00 noon to 3:00am (as at present) to 11:00am to 3:00am to improve the pedestrian environment and improve business opportunities. Outside these hours vehicles will be able to access part of Heddon Street.

5. Scheme Design Proposals

1. 
   The aim of the proposal is to improve pedestrian movement whilst maintaining vehicular flows, public transport facilities and to improve the public realm for all highway users.
   

2. 
   The highway improvements are shown on Plans A to E attached in Appendix B and include:
   

Regent Street improvements between its junction with Vigo Street and Conduit Street.

• 
  Widening the western footway of Regent Street between its junction with Vigo Street and Conduit Street by approximately one to one and a half metres and repaving using new yorkstone paving;
  
• 
  Realigning the western kerbline of Regent Street from its junction with Vigo Street southwards for approximately 60 metres to provide a smooth transition from the existing kerbline to the widened kerbline north of Vigo Street and repaving the footway in new yorkstone;
  
• 
  Introducing a central median strip approximately 1.9 metres wide and paving in granite setts;
  
• 
  Resurfacing the carriageway to the extents shown on Plans A to E using stone mastic asphalt and black skid resistant surfacing;
  
• 
  Reducing street clutter;
  
• 
  Improving surface water drainage;
  
• 
  Improving public lighting using wall mounted lamps;
  
• 
  Changing Glasshouse Street from two way to one way eastbound traffic flow between its junctions with Regent Street and Warwick Street;
  
• 
  Narrowing the junction of Glasshouse Street and Regent Street to improve pedestrian facilities; and
  
• 
  Improving bus facilities.
  

Heddon Street

• 
  Restricting vehicular access from Regent Street into Heddon Street to left turn only and egress from Heddon Street into Regent Street to left turn only; and
  
• 
  To change the pedestrianised zone hours, excluding emergency vehicles in Heddon Street from 12:00 noon to 03:00am (as at present) to 11:00am to 03:00am. Outside these hours vehicles will be able to access part of Heddon Street.
  

Vigo Street improvements

• 
  Introducing a loading bay and taxi bay on the north side of Vigo Street paved with tri-colour granite setts;
  
• 
  Repaving footways in new yorkstone; and
  
• 
  Resurfacing the carriageway using stone mastic asphalt and black anti skid.
  

New Burlington Street

• 
  Changing traffic flows from two way to one way eastbound;
  
• 
  Increasing the width of the southern footway and repaving in new yorkstone; and
  
• 
  Rationalising parking, loading and taxi arrangements.
  

Glasshouse Street

• 
  Changing traffic flows from two way to one way eastbound between its junctions with Regent Street and Warwick Street;
  
• 
  Narrowing the carriageway width at the junction with Regent Street; and
  
• 
  Repaving footways in new yorkstone,
  

5.3 The proposed scheme retains the bus lanes in Regent Street and it is intended to monitor their use and appropriateness after the scheme has been in place for 18 months and other measures assisting cyclists are in place

6. Financial Implications

6.1 The estimated cost of the streetscape improvements identified in this report and site monitoring of works undertaken by The Crown Estate is £4,180,000, which includes risks and contingencies and will be fully funded by The Crown Estate. A projected spend profile is provided below attached overleaf.

	2013/14	2014/15	2015/16	Total
Gross Expenditure	£4.1m	£0.08m	£0.0m	£4.18m
External Funding. (The Crown Estate)	£4.18m	£0.0m	£0.0m	£4.18m
WCC Contribution	0	0	0	0

Regent Street Spend Profile

7. Legal Implications

7.1 Section 106 of the Town Planning Act 1990 enables a Local Authority to enter into an agreement with a person with an interest in land to regulate the use of the land, including amelioration of development impacts. Financial contributions can be received under the provisions of the section 106 agreement for the purposes of highway improvements.

7.2 Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980 enables a Local Authority to enter into a legal agreement with the Crown Estate for highway improvements. A section 278 agreement be entered into to secure funding from The Crown Estate.
7.3 To enable lighting and signage to be hung on buildings the City Council will enter into wayleave agreements with the owners of the buildings The Crown Estate and property leaseholders.

8. Consultation

8.1 Ward Members, the Local Amenity Society, emergency services and key stakeholders have been consulted in April 2013 on the proposals identified in this report. Details of responses are contained in Appendix D.

9. Programme

9.1 Subject to approval it is proposed to undertake the works in multiple works areas to minimise the time taken to implement the scheme and the sequence will help pedestrian accessibility and accommodate key stakeholder requirements.

9.2 The works to widen the footways along Regent Street will be carried out in three main phases, which are shown on Plan F attached in Appendix B and are as follows:

Phase 1 – Eastern footway between Piccadilly Circus and Air Street completed in June 2012.

Phase 2 – western footway from Vigo Street to Conduit Street works are programmed to commence in May 2013 and complete in November 2013.

Phase 3 – western footway Piccadilly Circus to Vigo Street works are programmed to commence in the summer of 2015 following completion of the Piccadilly Two Way Part Two proposals.

9.3 The works undertaken by The Crown Estate associated with its section 106 agreements will also be carried out in two phases, which are shown on Plan F attached in Appendix B and are as follows:

Phase A – Southern footway of New Burlington Street and the western footway of Regent Street to the extents shown are programmed to commence in August 2013 and complete in October 2013.

Phase B – northern footway of New Burlington Street and western footway of Regent Street to the extents shown and resurfacing of the carriageway of New Burlington Street are programmed to commence upon completion of the development likely to be summer of 2015.

9.4 All works associated with this report and the works associated with the Piccadilly Two Way Scheme Part Two project will be carefully managed and co-ordinated to keep disruption to highway users and local businesses to a minimum.

10. Outstanding Issues

10.1 Subject to approval of this report the City Commissioner of Transportation will initiate the traffic order consultation for the modifications to the traffic orders identified in this report and will use his delegated powers to consider any objections received in consultation with Cabinet Member for City Management, Transport and Environment and Cabinet Member for Parking and Transportation.

10.2 Subject to approval of this report the City Commissioner of Transportation will request the Council’s Legal Services Department to draft and enter into a section 278 agreement for the works and a wayleave agreements with The Crown Estate and leaseholders to enable public lighting and signage to be mounted on their buildings.

10.3 Subject to approval of this report the City Commissioner of Transportation will monitor and review the use and appropriateness of the bus lanes and other measures assisting cyclists once the scheme has been in place for 18 months.

If you have any queries about this Report or wish to inspect any of the Background Papers please contact: Peter Bennett on 020 7641 2920, fax [phone], email [e-mail].

BACKGROUND PAPERS
Section 106 agreement Regent Street Block W4 and Block W5 dated 8 December 2010

APPENDIX A – OUTSTANDING ISSUES

1. Resources Implications

All costs associated with this report will be funded by The Crown Estate.

2. Business Plan Implications

No implications.

3. Risk Management Implications

No implications.

4. Health and Wellbeing Impact Assessment including Health and Safety Implications

The scheme will have a beneficial impact on heath and well being over the

current layout by improving the pedestrian environment. Disruption during works will be carefully managed to minimise negative impacts such as dust and noise.
5. Crime and Disorder Implications

The measures in this report are not expected to have any implications under the

Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
6. Impact on the Environment

Wherever possible existing materials that are taken up will be recycled.

7. Equalities Implications

The scheme will improve the accessibility of the streets for persons with mobility difficulties by providing flush kerbs at pedestrian crossings.

8. Staffing Implications

No implications.

9. Human Rights Implications

No implications.

10. Energy Measure Implications

No implications.

11. Communications Implication

Residents, businesses and key stakeholders will be notified of the works through a letter drop in advance of the works. This supplements a leaflet sent to them on 9 April 2013 and information provided on the project website. Contact details will be displayed on site notice boards.

APPENDIX B – SCHEME DRAWINGS
Plans A to E – Scheme Proposals
Plan F – Regent Street Works Phase Plan
APPENDIX C - Traffic Measures Required and Statement of Reasons


Proposed Traffic Measures
Regent Street
Introduce bus stop clearways along Regent Street that would prohibit vehicles from stopping (except buses) ‘at any time’ and ensure that parking is prevented in the vicinity of bus stops.
Heddon Street
To restrict access into Heddon Street from Regent Street to left turn only and egress from Heddon Street into Regent Street to left turn only.
To modify existing traffic regulation orders to prohibit vehicular access to that part of Heddon Street south of the party wall of 8 and 10 Heddon Street between the hours of 11.00am and 3am, Monday to Sunday (excluding emergency service vehicles) and to that part of Heddon Street north of the party wall of 8 and 10 Heddon Street at all times (excluding emergency vehicles).
Vigo Street
Introduce ‘At Any Time’ waiting and loading restrictions on the southern side of Vigo Street between Sackville Street and Regent Street.
Introduce ‘At Any Time’ waiting and loading restrictions on the northern side of Vigo Street outside No. 6 and No. 6a Vigo Street and from the north western kerbline of Regent Street westwards for an approximate distance of 12 metres.

Introduce ‘At Any Time’ waiting restrictions on the northern side of Vigo Street from a point approximately 24 metres west of its junction with Regent Street for a westward distance of 17 metres.

1 Taxi bay 12 metres in length on the northern side of Vigo Street from a point approximately 12 metres west of its junction with Regent Street to a point 24 metres west of its junction with Regent Street.

Glasshouse Street
A “one-way restriction on Glasshouse Street between its junctions with Regent Street and Warwick Street in an easterly direction.

New Burlington Street

A “one-way” restriction on New Burlington Street between its junctions with Savile Row and Regent Street in a north-easterly direction.

“At Any Time” waiting restrictions and restricted loading (Mon-Fri 08.30-18.30, Sat 08.30-13.30) on the southern side of New Burlington Street from its junction with Savile Row to a point approximately 14 metres north eastwards.

6 Pay by Phone bays on the southern side of New Burlington Street from a point approximately 14 metres north eastwards of its junction with Savile Row to a point approximately 47 metres north eastwards of its junction with Savile Row.

1 Taxi bay 11 metres in length on the southern side of New Burlington Street from a point approximately 47 metres north eastwards of its junction with Savile Row to a point approximately 58 metres north eastwards of its junction with Savile Row.

Introduce 26 metres of restricted waiting (Mon-Fri 08.30-18.30, Sat 08.30-13.30) on the southern side of New Burlington Street from a point approximately 58 metres north eastward of its junction with Savile Row to a point approximately 85 metres north east of its junction with Savile Row.

Introduce 11 metres of “At Any Time” waiting and loading restrictions on the southern side of New Burlington Street from a point approximately 85 metres north east of its junction with Savile Row to its junction with Regent Street.
Statement of Reasons
The Traffic Management Orders are required to facilitate the proposals identified in this report and to maintain and improve pedestrian and vehicular movement. These measures will improve pedestrian safety and vehicle movements whilst maintaining public transport facilities.


APPENDIX D – Consultation Results
Councillors – all by briefing note dated 24 April 2013

Councillor	Comments	City Commissioner’s response
Councillor Robert Davis	Content with proposals	Acknowledged
Councillor Ed Argar	Content with proposals	Acknowledged
Councillor Daniel Astair	Content with proposals	Acknowledged
Councillor Glenys Roberts	No response received	N/A
Councillor Frixos Tombolis	No response received	N/A
Councillor Jonathan Glanz	No response received	N/A

Amenity Societies

Society	Comments	City Commissioner’s response
Soho Society	No response received	N/A
Residents’ Society of Mayfair and St James’s	No response received	N/A
Mayfair Residents’ Group	No response received	N/A

Stakeholders

Consultee	Comments	City Commissioner’s response
London Cycling Campaign	No response received	N/A
Taxi Co-ordinator TfL	No response received	N/A
Westminster Fire Station	No response received	N/A
London Ambulance Service	No response received	N/A
Metropolitan Police	No response received	N/A
Living Streets	No response received	N/A
Westminster Property Association	No response received	N/A
The Crown Estate	No response received	N/A
Shaftesbury PLC	No response received	N/A
Regent Street Association	No response received	N/A

For completion by the Cabinet Member for Built Environment.
Declaration of Interest
I have in respect of this report

Signed:		Date:
NAME:	Councillor Robert Davis DL, Cabinet Member for Built Environment

State nature of interest if any …………………………………………………………..……

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(N.B: If you have an interest you should seek advice as to whether it is appropriate to make a decision in relation to this matter)

For the reasons set out above, I agree the recommendation(s) in the report entitled
Regent Street Footway Improvements Phase 2
Signed ………………………………………………
Councillor Robert Davis DL, Cabinet Member for Built Environment.
Date …………………………………………………

For Ward Specific reports Only
In reaching this decision I have given due regard to any representations made by relevant Ward Members.

Signed ………………………………………………

Councillor Robert Davis DL, Cabinet Member for Built Environment
Date …………………………………………………

If you have any additional comment which you would want actioned in connection with your decision you should discuss this with the report author and then set out your comment below before the report and this pro-forma is returned to the Secretariat for processing.

Additional comment: …………………………………….……………………………………

……………………………………………………………………..……………………………

…………………………………………………………………….…………………………….

If you do not wish to approve the recommendations, or wish to make an alternative decision, it is important that you consult the report author, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, Chief Operating Officer and, if there are staffing implications, the Director of Human Resources (or their representatives) so that (1) you can be made aware of any further relevant considerations that you should take into account before making the decision and (2) your reasons for the decision can be properly identified and recorded, as required by law.

Note to Cabinet Member: Your decision will now be published and copied to the Members of the relevant Policy & Scrutiny Committee. If the decision falls within the criteria for call-in, it will not be implemented until five working days have elapsed from publication to allow the Policy and Scrutiny Committee to decide whether it wishes to call the matter in.

For completion by the Cabinet Member for City Management, Transport and Environment.

Declaration of Interest
I have in respect of this report

Signed;		Date:
NAME:	Councillor Ed Argar, Cabinet Member for City Management, Transport and Environment

State nature of interest if any …………………………………………………………..……

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(N.B: If you have an interest you should seek advice as to whether it is appropriate to make a decision in relation to this matter)

For the reasons set out above, I agree the recommendation(s) in the report entitled
Regent Street Footway Improvements Phase 2
Signed ………………………………………………
Councillor Ed Argar, Cabinet Member for City Management, Transport and Environment.
Date …………………………………………………

For Ward Specific reports Only
In reaching this decision I have given due regard to any representations made by relevant Ward Members.

Signed ………………………………………………

Councillor Ed Argar, Cabinet Member for City Management, Transport and Environment
Date …………………………………………………

If you have any additional comment which you would want actioned in connection with your decision you should discuss this with the report author and then set out your comment below before the report and this pro-forma is returned to the Secretariat for processing.

Additional comment: …………………………………….……………………………………

……………………………………………………………………..……………………………

…………………………………………………………………….…………………………….

If you do not wish to approve the recommendations, or wish to make an alternative decision, it is important that you consult the report author, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, Chief Operating Officer and, if there are staffing implications, the Director of Human Resources (or their representatives) so that (1) you can be made aware of any further relevant considerations that you should take into account before making the decision and (2) your reasons for the decision can be properly identified and recorded, as required by law.

Note to Cabinet Member: Your decision will now be published and copied to the Members of the relevant Policy & Scrutiny Committee. If the decision falls within the criteria for call-in, it will not be implemented until five working days have elapsed from publication to allow the Policy and Scrutiny Committee to decide whether it wishes to call the matter in.

For completion by the Cabinet Member for Business.

Declaration of Interest
I have in respect of this report

Signed:		Date:
NAME:	Councillor Daniel Astaire, Cabinet Member for Business

State nature of interest if any …………………………………………………………..……

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(N.B: If you have an interest you should seek advice as to whether it is appropriate to make a decision in relation to this matter)

For the reasons set out above, I agree the recommendation(s) in the report entitled
Regent Street Footway Improvements Phase 2
Signed ………………………………………………
Councillor Daniel Astaire, Cabinet Member for Business.
Date …………………………………………………

For Ward Specific reports Only
In reaching this decision I have given due regard to any representations made by relevant Ward Members.

Signed ………………………………………………

Councillor Daniel Astaire, Cabinet Member for Business
Date …………………………………………………

If you have any additional comment which you would want actioned in connection with your decision you should discuss this with the report author and then set out your comment below before the report and this pro-forma is returned to the Secretariat for processing.

Additional comment: …………………………………….……………………………………

……………………………………………………………………..……………………………

…………………………………………………………………….…………………………….

If you do not wish to approve the recommendations, or wish to make an alternative decision, it is important that you consult the report author, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, Chief Operating Officer and, if there are staffing implications, the Director of Human Resources (or their representatives) so that (1) you can be made aware of any further relevant considerations that you should take into account before making the decision and (2) your reasons for the decision can be properly identified and recorded, as required by law.

Note to Cabinet Member: Your decision will now be published and copied to the Members of the relevant Policy & Scrutiny Committee. If the decision falls within the criteria for call-in, it will not be implemented until five working days have elapsed from publication to allow the Policy and Scrutiny Committee to decide whether it wishes to call the matter in.