The Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee met to review a Cabinet Member decision regarding the Warwick Avenue Public Realm Scheme. The committee ultimately voted to take no further action, allowing the decision to stand.

Warwick Avenue Public Realm Scheme

The committee reviewed a Cabinet Member decision concerning the Warwick Avenue Public Realm Scheme, which had been called in by councillors Fisher, Harvey, and Oteh-Osoka. The primary concerns raised by the calling-in councillors related to the scheme's value for money, potential to exacerbate anti-social behaviour, safety of proposed cycling measures, unresolved operational issues, and the adequacy of community consultation.

Councillor Jeff Barangler, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, introduced the scheme, highlighting that it was initiated by a previous Conservative administration and has cross-party support. He stated the scheme's cost is £3.6 million, not £5 million as suggested by some, and that it aims to improve connectivity, public realm, wayfinding, and cycling infrastructure in a busy area used by 3.5 million people annually. The scheme includes improved pedestrian crossings, new paving, upgraded recycling facilities, greening of a ventilation shaft, removal of a vehicle crossover to create public space, a safer cycle route, and sustainable urban drainage. He emphasised that the scheme would create a safer, less cluttered, and greener area, with no loss of resident parking.

Councillor Melvyn Caplan expressed support for the scheme in principle but raised concerns about the increased cost compared to an inherited £1 million scheme. He questioned the necessity of using Yorkstone paving, which he understood accounted for a significant portion of the cost, and expressed reservations about the safety of the proposed cycle lane at the junction of Warrington Crescent and Clifton Gardens, noting the road width would not be increased. He also pointed out that there were no additional pedestrian crossings in the current proposal and that the greening of the ventilation shaft and improvements to the bin area were still to be finalised. Councillor Caplan argued that residents should have been consulted on the revised scheme, especially as its costs had not been previously disclosed.

Officers clarified that the cost of natural stone paving and hogging amounts to approximately £298,000, which is about 10% of the total project cost. They explained that the higher cost compared to earlier estimates was due to increased material costs and the comprehensive nature of the current scheme, which includes detailed design, construction, and other associated works. The road safety audit for the Warrington Crescent and Clifton Gardens junction had been completed, and the design had been simplified to narrow the carriageway, which is expected to reduce vehicle speeds and discourage overtaking. The design for this junction will be finalised at the detailed design stage.

Regarding anti-social behaviour, the Metropolitan Police's Designing Out Crime Unit had reviewed the proposals and raised no substantial concerns, even supporting the inclusion of armrests on benches to deter rough sleeping. The council also plans to work across teams and utilise existing CCTV to manage anti-social behaviour.

Operational matters, such as the relocation of motorcycle parking and refuse collection arrangements, are to be confirmed during the detailed design stage. The current proposal is to accommodate motorcycle parking on Warwick Avenue, south of the tube entrance, with a swap arrangement for resident parking in Warrington Crescent, ensuring no net loss of resident parking.

In terms of community engagement, officers stated that over 670 responses had been received across multiple rounds of consultation, which they considered sufficient to inform the design. Further statutory consultation, including Traffic Management Orders, will take place.

Following the discussion, the committee voted on whether to take no further action or refer the decision back to the decision-maker. The majority of committee members voted to take no further action, meaning the Cabinet Member's decision to proceed with the Warwick Avenue Public Realm Scheme will stand.