city of westminster – environment and city … · (drawing no. 70062774-wsp-p01-x-dr-hi-1203-01)...

CITY OF WESTMINSTER – ENVIRONMENT AND CITY MANAGEMENT

7574/LHA: WSP, Room 603, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1W 0AU. T: 020 3116 5996.

DELEGATED AUTHORITY CONSULTATION REPORT 7574

TRAFFIC ORDERS – ROYAL ALBERT HALL (KENSINGTON GORE)

(Drawing No. 70062774-WSP-P01-X-DR-HI-1203-01)

(Knightsbridge & Belgravia Ward)

Background

On 24th June 2020, the Head of Parking considered and approved a report under hisdelegated powers allowing consultation on highway improvement and Traffic Orderproposals for a public realm improvement scheme in the vicinity of the Royal Albert Hall inKensington Gore.

The public realm improvement scheme is intended to improve pedestrian safety andcomfort, and the footway and carriageway condition along Kensington Gore by providing asafer and wider southern footway and improved crossing facilities to enhance theconnectivity between the Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park.

Following the publication / posting of press and street notices during July 2020 andconsultation with frontagers and other key parties on the proposed measures 13 responseswere received, as detailed in the appendix to this report. The extent of the letter consultationincluded six Ward Councillors, eight local residents' associations, 65 statutory bodies and65 frontagers.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Traffic Orders are made as proposed to facilitate theimplementation of the scheme shown on Drawing No. 70062774-WSP-P01-X-DR-HI-1203-01.

I agree with the recommendation.

Signed Date 04/08/2020

Programme and Contract ManagerCity Highways, Environment and City Management

Signed Date 04/08/2020

Head of ParkingCity Highways, Environment and City Management

APPENDIX

2

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTS1.

Bus OperationsTransport for London (TfL)

Email dated 29th June 2020

highlights that there are numeroushigh frequency buses using the streets affected bythe works. He will need to keep bus stops open orrelocated during any construction phases. He hasalso noticed that the bus stop will not requirerelocating after completion. As the area is mostlydual carriageway, he supposes there will not be anyneed for full closures.

WSP replied to on 1st July 2020 toconfirm that as the bus stop is located outside thescheme extents it will remain as it is currently.However, it may be necessary to suspend the busstop and provide a temporary stop to allow safeworking. WSP will contact todiscuss construction phasing.

2.

Metropolitan Police Service


The Metropolitan Police service has no objectionsor concerns regarding the proposed measures.

Noted.

3. Taxi and Private HireTfL


TfL have had prior consultation and attended a sitemeeting regarding the public realm works andagreed the relocation of the taxi rank, which theysupport. However, they ask:

Next to the taxi rank, there is a crossing point whichwill not go live until further down the line of thisproject, they want to make sure that the rank willstay in situ once this crossing point goes live.

There is a phase 2 to this public realm schemewhich is the side where the rank is to be located,they would like to ensure that they have priorconsultation and if necessary another site meetingas they would need to temporarily relocate the taxirank when this phase starts.

WSP replied to on 1st July 2020 toconfirm that only the civil works associated with thecrossing by the relocated taxi rank will beimplemented (i.e. dropped kerb, ducting andsockets), none of the signalling equipment will beinstalled at this stage.

Subject to traffic modelling, the crossing willbecome operational as part of the second phase ofthe scheme (post 2022), and will require the taxirank to be relocated again. WSP will consult withTfL to find the most appropriate location for it.

APPENDIX (CONTINUED)

3

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTS

4. Plant Enquiries TeamAtkins (on behalf of Vodafone:Fixed)


Vodafone: Fixed does have apparatus within thevicinity of the proposed works. According to theirrecords there is leased and / or third party networkwithin the proposed works. However, because theplant is leased / third party they stronglyrecommend other utility providers are contacted togather the extent of services within the area.Unfortunately, they are unable to advise who theplant is leased to or who the third party is.

Noted.

5. Waste and ParksWestminster City Council


confirms that the scheme will not havean impact on waste collections or street cleansing.

Noted.

6.

Email dated 2nd July 2020

states that many cars and taxis stop infront of The Royal Albert Hall in the evenings ofconcerts. Buses need to be able to turn in the sidestreets, and sometimes need to perform U-turns.Restricting the width of Kensington Gore wouldcreate chaos.

He asks has The Royal Albert Hall been consulted.There is a real need for disabled people or busesand taxis to get easy and multiple ways of access toThe Royal Albert Hall. Introducing double yellowlines and loading restrictions will just cause trafficproblems.

The current crossing between The Royal Albert Halland the park is dangerous. The pedestrian signal is

The scheme has been developed at the request ofthe Royal Albert Hall in order to improve publicsafety in the vicinity and implement securityimprovements identified in an independent securityassessment. The consultation documents werealso sent to the Royal Albert Hall.

The carriageway width on Kensington Gore will bereduced to improve the public space andaccommodate the protective bollards. The road willremain wide enough to allow vehicles to set downand pick up passengers without impacting trafficflow and allow coaches to turn in and out of sidestreets.


4

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTSgreen for barely 3 or 4 seconds, then cars have aflashing orange which they tend to consider as agreen light. He states it should be red and not aflashing orange for cars. Elderly people andfamilies don’t have time to cross. He suggests adifferent setup and longer pedestrian phase wouldhelp.

Vehicles are always allowed to stop on both singleand double yellow lines for as long as necessary toallow passengers to board or alight.

The pedestrian crossing will be upgraded andaccessibility improved. The reduction in thecrossing distance and dropped kerbs providing aflush level across the road will assist pedestrians, inparticular the elderly, families and disabled people,in crossing more safely. TfL are responsible forcontrolled crossings and they are aware of theissues at the existing crossing. The new pedestriancrossing will provide a more appropriate crossingphase for pedestrians.

7. Plant Protection TeamCadent

Email dated 4th July 2020

The Plant Protection Team confirm that thefollowing apparatus has been identified in thevicinity of the proposed works:· low or medium pressure (below 2 bar) gas pipes

and associated equipment. (As a result, it ishighly likely that there are gas services andassociated apparatus in the vicinity).

Noted.

8. Knightsbridge NeighbourhoodForum (KNF)


The Knightsbridge Neighbourhood Plan 2018 - 2037is part of the development for the KnightsbridgeNeighbourhood Area. It received 93% support in itsreferendum in October 2018.

They highlight Objective 6.0 in the Plan which is to“Foster an environment that enables our world-classcultural and educational institutions to thrive ascentres of learning and innovation within aflourishing community” and Appendix D of the plan

The Knightsbridge Neighbourhood Forum’s supportof the scheme is noted.


5

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTSwhich includes “support the re-imaginingalbertopolis scheme to improve access to the AlbertMemorial”.

The proposals are wholly consistent with the KNF’sobjectives and policies. The KNF thereforeemphatically supports the proposed improvementsto the public realm in the vicinity of the Royal AlbertHall. They encourage the City Council to implementthem as quickly as possible.

The KNF also encourages the City Council to do allit can to support the Royal Albert Hall at thischallenging time and ahead of its 150th anniversary.

9. Royal Commission for theExhibition of 1851


writes on behalf of the Commissionersof the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851(1851 Royal Commission) which owns the freeholdof the Royal Albert Hall and buildings immediately tothe west including the Royal College of Art, theRoyal College of Organists, Imperial College’s BeitHall and Queen Alexandra’s House.

The Commission emphatically supports theimprovements. It was an 1851 Royal CommissionBuilt Environment Fellowship, awarded to architectDeborah Saunt in 2010, that produced the initialproposals that have been developed into thescheme that is now proposed. Not only will thisprovide vital counter-terrorist measures for thesecurity of the Royal Albert Hall, it will also greatlyimprove the appearance of the area as a whole. Inits current form, the crossing over Kensington Gore

The Royal Commission of the Exhibition of 1851’ssupport for the scheme is noted.


6

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTSbetween the Royal Albert Hall and the AlbertMemorial, two of the most visited spots in London,is thoroughly unsatisfactory and the double kerb onthe north side is dangerous. Widening thepavement by the north door of the hall and providinga wider and level crossing will address the safetyissues as well as vastly enhancing the setting of thehall and the memorial.

This is a scheme that is long overdue and the 1851Royal Commission strongly commends it to the CityCouncil. Given the very difficult circumstanceswhich the Royal Albert Hall currently face, it ishoped that the City Council will do all that it can tomake sure the scheme goes ahead. It would be atravesty if these much needed improvements wereto fall victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.

10. Knightsbridge Association


The Knightsbridge Association welcome theproposal to progress the Reimagining Albertopolisscheme to improve the space between the RoyalAlbert Hall and the Albert Memorial. Those specificplans were widely consulted upon and agreed, inprinciple, several years ago.

They understand the need to provide and refinesecurity arrangements around the Royal Albert Hall.It is essential that this work remains a very highpriority and is kept under constant review.

The proposed works are consistent with PolicyKBR26: Public realm in the Strategic Cultural Area

The Knightsbridge Association’s support for thescheme is noted.


7

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTSand Policy KBR25: Existing and new developmentwithin the Strategic Cultural Area.

The Knightsbridge Association therefore confirmtheir support for the proposed improvements toKensington Gore as described in the formalconsultation dated 1st July 2020.

However, the Knightsbridge Associations positionon other aspects of works around the Royal AlbertHall remain substantially as set out in their email tothe Royal Albert Hall dated 15th July 2019.

11.

Albert Court (Westminster)Management Company Ltd

Letter received 21st July 2020

The Directors of the Albert Court (Westminster)Freehold Co. have discussed the proposal andwould like to express their support. Clearly it willreduce the degree of congestion at the Royal AlbertHall’s entrance fronting Kensington Gore andimprove the pedestrian safety levels for patronsentering and leaving the Hall.

They also note that it represents a first step in the“calming” of traffic and the proposed elimination ofthe two steps from the footpath to the roadway thatexist presently when coming from Hyde Park to theHall. The steps are both dangerous and difficult forwheelchairs and baby prams/strollers.

Board members were somewhat disappointed thatthis project does not encompass repairing theuneven pavement surfaces on the footpathextension of Kensington Gore down to PrinceConsort Road. These pavements on each side of

Albert Court (Westminster) ManagementCompany’s support for the scheme is noted.

Unfortunately, the budget is not sufficient to coverthe resurfacing of footway’s outside of the schemeextents. However, a request to inspect the areaagain will be raised.


8

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTSthe road carry a significant amount of patronpedestrian traffic when the Hall is in use and it isunusual when someone does not fall, oftenrequiring medical attention, when either entering orexiting the Hall. They have raised this issue withthe City Council previously and would be mostpleased if the necessary repairs could becompleted.

12.

Royal Parks

Email dated 22nd July 2020

The Royal Parks are concerned about the northside levels where the crossing meets the footwayand its interaction with the park entrance. Levelsare not shown on the drawings. The Royal Parksmanages the Crown Land that forms KensingtonGardens (the Park) and any changes to the levelswill affect the south side of the Park at the AlbertMemorial. They ask:· Are the levels changing to make the crossing

compliant?· If this is the case, what is the relationship

between the level of the park entrances and thepavement and crossing?

· Where would the creation of a step be if thepavement is not ramped up or stepped up?

They request drawings of cross sections showingthe relationship of the proposed crossing andchanges to pavement level to the park entrances,The Royal Parks would not be willing for any accessissues to be transferred to their boundary.

They also note that there is a proposed secondcrossing (to follow) to be placed directly in front of

WSP replied to on 27th July 2020 toclarify that the scheme will not impact the Park.Following a meeting with Royal Parks on 3rd

February 2020, a 3D model of the scheme wasproduced which allowed WSP to design a compliantpedestrian crossing (without steps) that can bedelivered without changing the levels at the back ofthe footway. This will be achieved principally byraising the carriageway levels via the raised tableextending between Kensington Gore East andWest.

The second crossing has been designed (with thesame consideration for levels) to future-proof itslocation. It is subject to TfL’s approval, dependenton traffic modelling, and, if approved, will not beimplemented until the second phase of the project(post 2022). Its location in front of the western gatemirrors the location of the existing crossing in frontof the eastern gate, so it is unclear how it wouldblock the road crossing.

The relocation of the taxi rank has been agreed withTfL Taxi and Private Hire and will be reviewed with


9

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTSthe westernmost exit gate to the Park. Thispositioning would block the road crossing as youexit from the park if / when this gateway is inoperation.

They suggest that the placement of the taxi rankonto the north side of the carriageway could lead toissues of overcrowding on the pavement withsubsequent safety concerns.

At an earlier consultation it was noted that therewas potential interest in creating a raised tableacross the entire width of the proposals for the twonew crossing. They would be interested to know ifthis is still a viable option for consideration.

The Royal Parks are broadly supportive of theprinciples associated with improving accessbetween The Royal Albert Hall and KensingtonGardens. However, they request further informationin order to take a view on the impacts to KensingtonGardens of the proposed scheme.

the implementation of the second crossing. It is notconsidered that it would lead to overcrowding as it isonly in operation between 9.00 p.m. and midnightwith space for two taxis.

13.


submitted the following concernsdirectly to Councillor Anthony Devenish regardingthe impact of the proposed measures on residentsof Albert Hall Mansions:

· The width of the junction between KensingtonGore and Kensington Road (on the east side ofRoyal Albert Hall) is narrowed down twice. Thiswould definitely cause the residents somediscomfort.

The width of the carriageway on Kensington GoreEast at the junction with Kensington Gore is beingreduced to improve pedestrian safety by providingan area where a row of safety bollards are to beinstalled and also provide more space for vehiclesexiting the junction before they reach the crossing.Currently vehicles exiting this junction immediatelyarrive at the crossing and this presents a risk topedestrians using the facility. A raised table at thejunction will aid in the reduction of vehicle speeds


10

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTS· There is a very large side-area being created on

the east side of Royal Albert Hall below thejunction which she believes will become ideal forparking of tourist buses which will not beenjoyable for the residents whose window facethat way.

· There is a proposed widening of pavements onKensington Road in front of Albert Hall Mansionstogether with a parking bay. It seems there is avery good chance a bus stop might be built therein the future, which will also not be enjoyable forresidents.

· There is a narrowing of Kensington Road fromthe equivalent of four lanes of traffic to three.There is already traffic building up. The amountof time the traffic is built up will increase, whichwill result in further discomfort to the residents.

· The carriageway table is also proposed to beraised, which would be noticeable for thebasement and ground floor residents, as the carswill start travelling higher and closer to theirwindows.

approaching the junction. The redesigned junctionhowever remains wide enough to accommodatetwo-way traffic operation.

The side-area referred to retains the same waitingand loading restrictions, this will not change as partof the measures to improve safety at the reprofiledjunction.

The proposed widening of the pavement in front ofAlbert Hall Mansions is required for the safemerging of the two westbound lanes into one. Thesame waiting and loading restrictions are retainedalong the length of reprofiled footway and a parkingbay has not been created here. Any future changesto the kerbside, such as implementing new parkingbays, would require a specific statutory consultation.

The nearside westbound lane is currently subject tovehicles waiting in contravention of the existingwaiting and loading restrictions and this, coupledwith the presence of a dedicated taxi rank, oftenremoves the availability of this lane. Thesemeasures, along with the introduction of anextended no waiting ban, will prevent thisbehaviour, as any vehicle now stopping on thissection of Kensington Gore would effectively blockthe westbound traffic movement.

Kensington Gore is a strategic road in which TfLhave a particular interest in terms of bus journeytimes. The City Council are required to consult withTfL for any scheme on or near to a strategic road to


11

NAME AND ADDRESS RESPONSE OFFICERS’ COMMENTSensure they are happy that the impact of anymeasures will not adversely affect bus journeytimes. TfL has confirmed that bus journey timesand general traffic flow will not be adverselyimpacted by these proposals

The carriageway will be raised slightly between 20-30mm in the two eastbound lanes (furthest awayfrom Albert Hall Mansions) and then graded toexisting levels across the width of the carriagewaywhere it joins the new southern footway. This isone of the measures necessary to achieve theregrade across the width of the existing carriagewayto facilitate the removal of the triple kerb along thenorthern footway. The start of the gradual ramp tothe table starts just before the junction ofKensington Gore East so will not be in front ofAlbert Hall Mansions. The widened section offootway outside Albert Hall Mansions and at thejunction of Kensington Gore and Kensington GoreEast means that all traffic travelling alongKensington Road, Kensington Gore and at thejunction with Kensington Gore East, will be furtheraway from the building.

CuestaHernandez ,JorgeI havereviewedthisdocument2020. 06.2408:21:26+01'00'

D igitallysigned byN ogueron,Jose(U KJPN001)D ate:2020.06.1514:05:18+01'00'

city of westminster – environment and city … · (drawing no. 70062774-wsp-p01-x-dr-hi-1203-01)...

Documents