A copy of the email LJAG have sent to Councillor Peck on 11 October calling for an answer to questions raised, which so far have go unanswered is set out below:
“Dear Councillor Peck,
As you are already aware, the Loughborough Junction Action Group (LJAG) is concerned that the road closure trial has suffered from a lack of resource to enable effective planning, implementation and monitoring as listed below.
1. Inadequate communication around the closure in advance of implementation during the three weeks from Councillor approval to implementation
2. Confusing traffic signage at the outset which has been added to rather than rationalised
3. Inadequate traffic management that has confused drivers and put pedestrians at risk
4. Unclear objectives and measurements to determine the trial’s success or failure.
LJAG is open to a trial of the scheme, in particular to see if it would increase walking and cycling in the area and enable public realm improvements. We also promised the local community to hold Lambeth to account during the trial period. We have had many direct communications with Council representatives but feel our questions and concerns have gone unanswered.
The road closure trial scheme has proved highly controversial, which is no doubt aided by its poor execution. LJAG notes that the trial’s review has
been brought forward, and we welcome this opportunity to pause and take account of the urgent improvements needed for this trial to continue.
Below we reiterate the questions we raised with the council on 24 September 2015 which to date have remained unanswered:
We see these points as critical improvements that must be in place before committing to the trial continuing for a longer period. Indeed, it is a great shame they were not in place from the beginning.
Communications
1. Adequate communication to local residents, businesses and drivers of how the scheme will work and proof of minimising disruption. How many residents have been told of the trial, what is the evidence it was explained thoroughly enough, with a high level of understanding? What is being done to continue to communicate information on the trial and also how can people report problems / feedback?
Safety
2. A commitment to ensuring drivers’ and pedestrians’ safety is not compromised through poor signage, traffic lights not working, pavements blocked, etc. We also require commitment that non-drivers are able to access convenient bus routes and that emergency services will have clear access to those in need.
Measurement
3. Clarity on how the trial will be measured and what steps are being taken to ensure a fair and impartial outcome – e.g. how is impact to businesses being qualitatively and quantitatively measured? How will the public be reached to gather and assess views – e.g. formal surveys? What are the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that this trial links to? And are these standard?
Reporting
4. Regular reviews of the traffic flows with public reports being made so that the community is aware of the scheme’s impact over the course of the trial. Frequency of information shared must be known to the community in advance so we can expect it.
Enforcement
5. Information on the trial’s enforcement and appropriate communication to this effect. What support is in place to help drivers and residents and how is non-compliance monitored and addressed? What is the basis of the agreement of how non-compliance is addressed?
Feedback
6. Lambeth to provide a central point to gather and coordinate feedback from the public and businesses, this must also be circulated widely so that the community is well aware of where comments can be shared.
Public meeting
7. Lambeth should organise a public event, with Councillors present, to air grievances from the trial’s beginning and also to provide direct information of the improvements being made, should this be the case.
LJAG sincerely hopes that there have been significant learnings from what has to this point been a very divisive event for our community. We remain available to assist where possible and appropriate, but believe the Council must ensure adequate planning and resources are in place for a trial of this scale.
We would appreciate a full response so we can communicate this prior to our Neighbourhood Planning Forum meeting on Thursday, 15 October.
Yours sincerely,
Amanda Kamin
LJAG Trustee”.
