Agenda item

The Director of Environment and Regeneration, Keith Townsend and Martin Cooijmans, Interim Director Climate Change and Transport were present for discussion of this item, and made a presentation to the Committee, copy interleaved

During consideration of the presentation the following main points were made

·       Transport Scope – The aim is to reduce emissions from all forms of transport in the borough whether private, commercial and public. This workstream aims to reduce emissions from transport in the borough by reducing emissions from the Council’s fleet, reducing vehicle usage, encouraging use of electric vehicles, discouraging fossil fuel based plant usage, influencing Government policy, securing cleaner bus services

·       Transport deliverable – reduction in overall vehicle fleet and increase number of electric vehicles, waste recycling centre (WRC) initial smart charger installation to existing power supply, WRC new grid connection and substation, low voltage infrastructure and smart charger installations, smart charger installations at other council premises, increase solar capacity at Council charging sites, enable vehicle to Grid (V2G) at locations with parked vehicles, expanding on Town Hall V2G trial

·       Transport deliverable – Fleet replacement programme electrification – reduction in fleet and increase in electric vehicles, WRC smart charger installation, WRC grid connection and substation, low voltage infrastructure and smart charger installations, smart charger installations at other Council premises, increase solar capacity at council charging points, enable vehicle to Grid at locations with parked vehicles, expanding on Town Hall V2G trial.

·       Members were advised that so far the Council has delivered over 10% of its fleet is electric, WRC smart chargers have been installed using existing power supply, smart chargers operate at Randels Road and Laycock Centre, V2G trial at Town Hall has commenced. Meeting was advised that over the next 12-18 months, the Council will be procuring  new vehicles and EV chargers in line with updated procurement strategy; that its WRC new HV grid connection and substation will be completed, smart chargers will be sited at other Council  premises and further scoping will be carried out on additional sites. In addition support will be increased to the energy team to increase solar capacity at council charging sites, and complete Council’s VG2 trial

·       In terms of vehicle use reduction by residents and local businesses, the Council aims to make active travel the easiest and most enjoyable option. The Council has also implemented low traffic neighbourhoods and liveable neighbourhoods, network of cycle lanes and cycle routes, delivered school streets or similar interventions where possible at all primary schools in the borough. Members were informed of plans to introduce a borough wide lorry control scheme, working towards banning lorries (HGV) from driving through the borough on residential roads. Other initiatives by the council include ensuring that new developments are car free or have restricted on- site parking and access to controlled parking zones; provision of adequate cycling facilities, developing and delivering accessibility plan; walking and cycling action plan, developing a parking strategy, exploring workplace parking levies and working towards a freight consolidation strategy. It was noted that 16% of carbon emissions in the borough are due to transport emissions

·       The meeting was advised that so far 7 low traffic neighbourhoods, network of cycle lanes and routes have been delivered, camera installed to enforce schools streets at every primary school not on a main road, STARS travel behaviour change programme, Try before you Bike scheme launched. In the next 12-18 months the council will continue delivery of People Friendly Streets, additional cycle routes, support TfL on Camden to Tottenham Hale cycle route, continue to apply car free policies to new developments, develop cycling/walking action plan,

·       The Council will continue investing in EV charging infrastructure such as lamp columns and rapid chargers, encourage the use of electric taxis, by ensuring Islington has sufficient on street rapid chargers for taxi drivers, support and promote electric car club schemes and carpooling activities, encourage local businesses to switch to zero emissions vehicles or cargo bikes, ensure EV infrastructure is powered by renewable sources

·       Members were advised that so far in terms of public EV charging infrastructure, nearly 300 publicly accessible charging points have been rolled out and that all existing suppliers have agreed transition plans to ensure EV infrastructure is powered by renewable sources, continued support to businesses through the Zero Emissions Network. In addition meeting was informed of new incentives, ie to trial local deliveries through the use of cargo bikes.

·       Over the next 12-18 months – Communications and engagement plan will be developed to support and promote electric car club schemes and carpooling and in addition the Council aims to deliver 400 EV charging points, continue supporting TfL with delivery of public rapid charging infrastructure

·       The Council aims to discourage fossil fuel based plant usage by replacing grounds maintenance equipment with viable electrical alternatives, replace its diesel generators with emission free alternatives and implement UK first Eco Zone at the Regents Canal to provide cleaner power to canal boats that use diesel engines and wood stoves, and build on its success to provide these benefits in other areas with poor air quality. Members were advised that so half the Eco Zone electric bollards for mooring installed along Regents Canal has been delivered and that over the next 12-18 months, the Council will be replacing grounds maintenance equipment with viable electrical alternatives at end of life, and will commence the review of non-road mobile machinery across the Council’s operations and complete the Eco Zone at Regents Canal

·       On the issue of influencing and engagement, members were advised that the work stream aims to influence departments, local authorities and Government in order for Islington to achieve its net zero target. Meeting was informed of TfL’s plans to create a Zero Emission Zone across the expanded ULEZ area by 2030, ensuring that all routes through Islington are served by electric or hydrogen vehicles. The Officer also advised of London wide approaches to parking levies and road charging, acknowledging that additional action and national policies will be required on addressing red diesel policies, changes to road and vehicle taxation, strategic support for local authorities, national diesel scrappage schemes, improvements to charging infrastructure before the ban on new diesel and petrol vehicles

·       The Officer advised that in rolling out of the existing initiatives and going forward, the Council has been able to secure funding and have pending funding. Meeting was advised that the bid for funding of £120000 had just been agreed which will deliver 60 lamp column charging points

·       Members were advised that work was taking place with the Mayor to reduce car use and the ULEZ scheme. Officer noted concerns  regarding the safer school streets in St.George’s Ward, of vehicles being diverted onto nearby streets and difficulties experienced around junctions. It was stated that officers meet regularly with TfL who are committed to reducing traffic speeds. Work is also taking place on additional cycling facilities and looking at improvements in junctions in low traffic neighbourhoods especially in Holloway Road. It was noted that at present, due to discussions with the Government on future funding, TfL were in a difficult position

·       With regard to enforcement of the 20mph speed zones, meeting was informed that this is the responsibility of the Police, however discussions are taking place through the LGA to encourage Government to transfer this responsibility to Local Authorities

·       In response to a question it was stated that officers were working with local Councillors on the noise of the cameras in St.George’s Ward and if necessary new cameras could be installed, as has happened in other areas. Work is also taking place to reduce traffic

·       Reference was made to a survey that had taken place in Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN’s) about residents views on the changes and this could be circulated to Members

·       Discussion took place as to the STARS programme, and it was stated that without TfL funding the programme has been paused, however officers are of the view that the programme would recommence once the TfL funding position has been resolved

·       In response to a question, the officer advised that discussion have taken place regarding the freight consolidation scheme and is currently being considered.

·       Reference was made to the need to promote the use of cargo bikes to reduce the number of van journeys in the borough. It was stated that this was under consideration, however it was unlikely toilet facilities would be made available

·       In response to a question it was stated that work is taking place to roll out electric charging points and to ensure that they were situated in the right places. Reference was also made to the fact that car users should be encouraged to purchase smaller electric vehicles, and that this should be looked at when the parking plan is reviewed

·       It was noted that at present in the borough there are 7 Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in existence; that there would be a full public consultation next year, although the Council are committed to LTN’s, and additional LTN’s are being planned. Work is also taking place to engage with the community and schools

·       The view was expressed that the ROAMER scheme should be discontinued given that only about 30% of Islington residents had cars. It was noted that there is a need for more bike hangers, and that the Council is committed to roll more of these out and it was planned to have 400 by the end of the year

·       In response to a question on school travel plans and the STARS programme it was stated that once TfL funding is reinstated work will take place with schools and that a project manager had been employed to assist in this regard, linking in with LNT’s

·       In response to a question it was stated that whilst there had been hostility to LTN’s and People Friendly Streets there has been a huge  level of support as well

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be noted and the Director of Environment be circulate the results of the survey referred to above to Members of the Committee

The Chair thanked Keith Townsend and Martin Cooijmans for their presentation