TfL Ref: FOI-1045-1718

Thank you for your email received by us on 02 August 2017 asking for information about the consultations for developing property over existing roads in London.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy.  I can confirm that we hold  the information you require. You asked:

“Please could you tell me how many consultations, feasibility studies or proposals you have for developing property, or creating the space to develop property, over existing roads in London on a large scale.
For instance, there are currently consultations out for developing over Aspen Way to the North of the Isle of Dogs, creating a larger space/opportunity for real estate development.
Could you tell me how many similar proposals there are (though perhaps not to that scale), and please could you tell me where they are and send any supporting documentation for the consultations.”

We recently investigated the feasibility of relocating road space for traffic underground by decking over roads or building tunnels and fly-unders in order to minimise the impact of roads on their immediate environment, improve the public realm, create space on the surface for walking, cycling and public transport and facilitate development.

From a long list of sites initially looked at nine locations were deemed suitable for studying in more detail. We have now completed feasibility studies on the following locations: A13 at Barking Riverside, A1261 at Poplar, A406 at New Southgate, A4 at Hammersmith, A3 at Tolworth, A316 at Chalkers Corner, A12 at Leyton, A12 at Leytonstone and A40 at Savoy Circus. Most of the locations are associated with potential development in the area although the only schemes where buildings could be built on a deck over the road are at Poplar, Leyton and Leytonstone. All nine schemes, although technically feasible, have significant construction costs and therefore the challenge remains identifying a funding package to deliver them in a constraint financial environment.

None of the proposals have yet been developed beyond the feasibility stage, and have not been subject to public consultation. The concepts were however covered as part of the ‘Streets Ahead: The future of London's roads’ exhibition at New London Architecture in January and February 2016.

More detail on this exhibition can be found here - http://newlondonarchitecture.org/docs/streetsaheadcatalogue-v15.pdf

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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Yours sincerely

Paulina Tuffour
FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London