Decision details

1.1      That approval be given for the design and implementation of the proposed public realm improvements as described in paragraph 4.7 and shown on the drawing 11677201-02-GA-02 REV C included in Appendix A.

1.2      That approval be given for the capital expenditure of £282,000 necessary to carry out detailed design and implement the scheme. All costs will be met by Shaftesbury Plc through a section 278 agreement.

1.3      That approval be given for the advertising and making of traffic regulation orders under sections 6 and 45 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 necessary to accommodate the public realm improvements as set out in paragraph 4.7 and Appendix A, in accordance with the details and Statement of Reasons attached as Appendix B.

1.4           That delegated authority be given to the City Commissioner of Transportation to consider any representations on traffic regulation orders and decide whether to make the orders with or without modifications and to approve minor modifications to the approved scheme and final detailed design, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Built Environment and the Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Parking.

1.1           The existing physical environment in Wellington Street and surrounding streets is facing increasing demands in terms of pedestrian access.  The area forms part of the walking corridor from Covent Garden to the South Bank and is therefore one of the priority schemes for the City Council and TfL. These improvements, particularly the widening of the footways and the decluttering of the area (especially the eastern section of Russell Street) will result in improved pedestrian safety and accessibility.

1.2           Since the adoption of the Covent Garden Action Plan in 2004, the City Council has been committed to working with local stakeholders and landowners to improve Covent Garden.  In the last 10 years there has been significant investment in the area, largely made possible by working with our partners.  The proposed improvements continue the good work representing another £282,000 of investment in the City’s streets without impacting on City Council budgets.

1.3           This represents the second phase of works in this location and continues improvements already made to the junction of Russell Street and Bow Street/Wellington Street immediately adjacent to this scheme.