Request ID: FOI-1096-2223 Date published: 26 August 2022
You asked
To whom it may concern:
At the City of London Corporation Property and Investment Board meeting on 19th July 2022, there was a discussion relating to London Wall West (140-150 London Wall EC2Y 5DN) and, in particular, to the issue of highways. An officer of the City of London Corporation stated that discussions with Transport for London have taken place and are on-going. The officer referred specifically to the modelling exercises and stated that “Transport for London are in agreement with what is being done”.
I hereby submit a Freedom of Information Act request for the disclosure of the following:
1. Copies of all records (including minutes of meetings) of all discussions with the City of London Corporation relating to the London Wall West site and the highways in the area of the site which have taken place since 01 January 2020
2. Copies of all modelling exercises done in relation to the highways in the area of the London Wall West site since 01 January 2020
We answered
Our ref: FOI-1096-2223/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 3 August 2022 asking for information about City of London and London Wall West.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
Copies of all records (including minutes of meetings) of all discussions with the City of London Corporation relating to the London Wall West site and the highways in the area of the site which have taken place since 01 January 2020
Our Spatial Planning team supports the Mayor's Transport Strategy and delivery of good growth for London. We do this by helping planning applicants, the rest of TfL, the Greater London Authority (GLA), boroughs, and other stakeholders to combine land use and transport planning.
Embeds the right transport policies in the London Plan and local plans
Mitigates and improves new development
Gets developer funding for vital transport investment
This often involves regular informal contact with various professionals in London’s Boroughs and other organisations and companies involved in London’s planning system.
Under the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008 some planning applications in London are automatically submitted to us by either the Greater London Authority (GLA) or borough. We then help them understand how these planning applications are likely to affect transport before they are determined by the Mayor.
Under the Town and Country (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010, we must be consulted on all planning applications that will affect the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) in accordance with certain criteria. We also have a legal duty to ensure that any development does not have an adverse impact on the Strategic Road Network (SRN). Our Spatial Planning team is consulted on the majority of London planning applications and policy which may affect TfL assets, services or infrastructure. This includes the generation of new trips on London's walking, cycling, public transport and road networks. We then produce and provide a formal written response representing TfL as a whole, across all modes, and work with planning applicants to minimise and mitigate transport impacts
In relation to London Wall West, we have not yet been formally consulted on a planning application for the site.
We are aware that a GLA pre-application meeting took place on 21 January 2022 from 2-4pm. This was hosted by the GLA who therefore hold any relevant records.
Before this meeting on 17 January 2022 the applicant’s planning consultant emailed the GLA with us copied in saying: “we will not have any material to discuss with TfL at this stage and plan to engage separately…There has been some strategic conversations with TfL but we’re not at a stage where we have developed the detail of the proposals to have meaningful engagement yet.”
We subsequently attended the GLA pre-application meeting in a listening capacity only.
We have also participated in some initial informal discussions on potential transport impacts and issues which may arise due to the redevelopment of London Wall West:
- 26 January 2022, 13:30 – 14:00 We discussed London Wall West informally with a highway modelling expert from elsewhere in TfL and an officer from City Transportation (Major Projects). This was an introductory meeting. No Minutes were taken or agreed.
- 24 February 2022, 11:30 – 12:30 We met City of London town planners informally. The potential for a new strategic cycle route near the site; integration with the City Transport Strategy; creation of world class cycle access; related corridor highway modelling; and the need for formal pre-application engagement with TfL were discussed. No Minutes were taken or agreed.
- 18 March 2022, 10:30 – 11:30 We met a relevant City of London Assistant Director informally. The Assistant Director clarified there are separate but related highway proposals for the gyratory/corridor as a whole and the London Wall West site at one end. No Minutes were taken or agreed.
- 13 April 2022, 12:00 – 13:00 We facilitated an informal meeting between 5 relevant transport planners from TfL and City of London. No Minutes were taken or agreed. The meeting Calendar invite was labelled: “Informal catch up between CoL and TfL as highway authorities on London Wall and Rotunda junction. There are separate highway and planning proposals emerging in this area which require careful co-ordination.”
On 22 July we received an email request from the applicant team for London Wall West to book a formal TfL Pre-application meeting. This is now being organised and will take place soon. 2. Copies of all modelling exercises done in relation to the highways in the area of the London Wall West site since 01 January 2020 We have not undertaken any modelling exercise in relation to the highways in the area of the London Wall West site since 01 January 2020.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
