Issue - meetings

Received a report from the Corporate Directors of Customer Services and  Regeneration concerning the implementation of the East London Transit Phase 1a (ELT1a) along roads in the Borough and ELT Phase 1b (ELT1b) which has been identified as a strategic bus way transit link between Barking town centre and Dagenham Dock. Serving the major development site of Barking Riverside and sharing some sections of alignment with ELT1a.

Transport for London (TfL) is intending to make a compulsory purchase order (CPO) in October 2008 to allow it to acquire the land required for the ELT1b works where such land acquisition is not possible through negotiation.  Only the highway authority for the roads in question is able to exercise the relevant power and this will not be transferred from LBBD to TFL until a section 8 agreement is entered into under the Highways Act 1980. Hence it is necessary to obtain Council approval for the route alignment and section 8 agreement by October 2008

ELT1b/TfL will be providing funding resources to the Borough to cover highway supervision fees.  ELT1b/TfL will be expected to lead on a communications and engagement plan, with support of Council officers, in order to mitigate any potential costs to the Council for high levels of interest from the community.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council to achieve all of its Community Priorities of raising general pride in the borough and regenerating the local economy, to recommend to the Assembly:

(i)  That the Council approves the route alignment for ELT1b subject to a footpath/cycleway connection being provided directly between the first phase of Barking Riverside and Thamesview social and community facilities and that  there is a direct public transport connection between Phase 1 Barking Riverside and Thamesview social and community facilities.

(ii)  That the Council enters into agreements with Transport for London pursuant to Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 and Section 8 of the Highways Act 1980 in order to transfer the functions and implement the proposals set out in this report

(iii)  That the Corporate Director of Customer Services in consultation with the Corporate Director of Regeneration and the Divisional Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to agree the details of the Agreements.