Issue - meetings

Received a report seeking agreement in principle to support the Thames Gateway Bridge (TGB), subject to certain caveats in respect of the public transport strategy / provision associated with the Bridge; the tolls regime to be applied; traffic mitigation measures; and design quality.

Agreed, in order to contribute to the delivery of the Community Priorities of Regenerating the Local Economy and Making Barking and Dagenham Cleaner, Greener and Safer, to:

1. Support the principle of the TGB and recommend to London Borough’s of Greenwich and Newham that planning permission be granted subject to the following:

a)  That a commitment to a minimum transit service (East London Transit / Greenwich Waterfront Transit) of 20 bendy-buses per hour in each direction be secured through a s106 agreement on any planning consent;

b)  That the whole concept of Thames Gateway Transit be reappraised at the earliest opportunity by Transport for London (TfL), specifically in respect of the potential for tram operation and that a commitment to do so be secured through a s106 agreement;

c)  That such a reappraisal be reviewed every five years and a commitment to do so be secured through a s106 agreement;

d)  That the administration, setting and review of tolls is undertaken with input from local Boroughs (Greenwich / Bexley / Newham / Barking and Dagenham) and arrangements to secure this are to be determined and agreed and that a commitment to this be secured through a s106 agreement;

e)  That the area for discounts on tolls should comprise the whole administrative area of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham;

f)  That local traffic mitigation measures as described in this report be secured through a s106 agreement;

g)  That any subsequent planning applications in respect of design should demonstrably seek to achieve the highest possible quality;

2. The following in respect of the draft Authorisation / Orders and that these recommendations be referred to the Secretary of State for Transport as formal comment on the authorisation / orders:

a)  That no objection be raised in respect of the Tolls Order;

b)  That the Side Roads Order and any subsequent Traffic Regulation Order should restrict use of the public transport lanes to TfL authorised buses / transits only;

c)  That no objection be raised in respect of the Special Roads and Bridge Scheme 2004 application / authorisation.