The Officer Key Decision meeting scheduled for Friday 23 February 2024 was set to discuss proposed changes to the Healthy School Streets (HSS) schemes implemented in Phases 1 and 2 across several Newham wards. The meeting's agenda focused on mitigation measures identified following a review of these schemes.

Healthy School Streets (HSS) Phases 1 and 2 - Mitigation Measures

The primary focus of the meeting was to consider proposed mitigation measures for the Healthy School Streets (HSS) schemes in Phases 1 and 2. These measures were developed following a review of the schemes after their experimental traffic management orders (ETMOs) became permanent. The report pack indicated that the aim of these changes was to address feedback received from residents and ward members, as well as to improve compliance with Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) requirements.

The report outlined several specific proposals for different HSS zones:

• H1 (Woodgrange Infant School and Godwin Junior School): Proposals included removing the blanket exemption for blue badge holders, introducing an exemption for licensed taxis, and widening the footways at the junction of Sebert Road and Avenue Road.
• H2 (Chobham Academy): This zone was proposed for changes including the removal of the blanket blue badge holder exemption, the inclusion of licensed taxi exemptions, and an extension of the HSS on Cheering Lane to encompass Elis Way, Mirabelle Gardens, and Oriens Mews. Additionally, access permits were proposed for vehicles registered to properties in Vesta House with allocated parking spaces within specific complexes.
• H3 (West Ham C of E Primary School): Proposed changes involved removing the blanket blue badge holder exemption, including an exemption for licensed taxis, and extending school keep clear markings.
• H4 (Lathom Junior School): This zone was scheduled for discussion regarding the removal of the blanket blue badge holder exemption, the inclusion of licensed taxi exemptions, and an extension of the HSS to include Keppel Road and a section of Lathom Road.
• H6 (Sheringham Nursery School and Sheringham Primary School): The proposal was to include an exemption for licensed taxis within the traffic management order (TMO).
• H7 (Park Primary School): The proposal was to include an exemption for licensed taxis within the TMO.
• H8 (Hartley Primary School): The proposal was to include an exemption for licensed taxis within the TMO.
• H12 (Southern Road Primary School, Plaistow Primary School and Lister Community School, JFK School & Education Links): Proposals included reducing the scheme's extent on Queens Road West, Watson Street, Plaistow Park Road, and St Mary's Road, as well as including an exemption for licensed taxis.

The report pack indicated that the Corporate Director of Environment and Sustainable Transport, Aled Richards, was recommended to approve these mitigation measures. This would involve carrying out informal and statutory consultations with various stakeholders, including ward councillors, residents, schools, businesses, and statutory consultees. The report also noted that the estimated cost for these measures was up to £100,000.00, to be funded from the Transport for London LIP allocation and the LBN Active and Sustainable Travel Capital Programme.

The report highlighted that the implementation of these measures aligns with the London Borough of Newham's Corporate Plan priorities, including 'A Healthier Newham and Ageing Well' and 'Your Neighbourhood', as well as contributing to the Air Quality Action Plan and the Mayor's Manifesto commitments.

The report also detailed alternative options considered and rejected, which included proceeding with the existing schemes without changes or continuing to monitor the schemes without implementing further proposals. These were deemed not feasible as they would not meet resident expectations or achieve corporate objectives.

The report included appendices detailing a statement of reasons for the proposals, feedback received from various stakeholders, and mitigation measures with site plans. The decision-making process was subject to legal implications outlined in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Highways Act 1980, and an Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) was conducted, which identified no negative impacts on protected groups that had not been addressed by proposed mitigations.