Sharing the space: One of the many challenges arising from Covid-19 is the need to re-imagine the public realm so as to balance competing priorities. For example, in Bryanston and Dorset Square Ward, there will be several locations where we will need to adjust the use of kerbside space to allow room for people to queue to enter shops without crowding. However, we also need to ensure sufficient space for deliveries, and to make suitable provision for access by disabled residents.
The Council is tackling these challenges by consulting all interested parties - e.g. residents, special-interest groups, TfL, and local businesses - to really understand their needs, with a view to putting arrangements in place that respond to specific local circumstances, while also taking the evolving guidance from Government on board.
Planned Street Works: In line with Central Government guidance, the programme of planned street-works was temporarily halted. The timing of these has now been re-evaluated, taking into account areas with isolating residents and individuals working from home. The following components of the planned preventative-maintenance programme are now scheduled thus:
- Footway resurfacing along Seymour Place between the junction with York Street and Bryanston Place – July 2020 – 2 weeks
- Core Carriageway surfacing on Seymour Place and Bryanston Place – August 2020 – 2 weeks
- Footway resurfacing along George Street between Forset Street and Seymour Place – August 2020 – 5 weeks
- Footway resurfacing along Upper Berkeley Street between Great Cumberland Place and Edgware Road – August 2020 – 4 weeks
The company which delivers these services has employed new Social-Distancing Marshalls to ensure the works are carried out safely.
The Congestion Charge was reintroduced on 18 May 2020 and will rise to £15 per day on 22 June 2020 as part of the bailout of TfL. In addition, the Congestion Charge hours are extended to seven days a week, from 07:00 to 22:00. Air quality will be monitored throughout, to find out whether these measures have any impact on air quality.
