Information relating to the changes to the A24 adopted under emergency powers
Request ID: FOI-2088-2122 Date published: 04 January 2022
You asked
This application arises from correspondence going back for over six months in which I and other residents have sought unsuccessfully to have complete and effective information relating to the changes to the A24, Balham High Road adopted under emergency powers. The most recent impetus for the request arises from a dangerous driving incident in early October. The requests are intended to require simple answers and, where relevant, are for "off the shelf information".
1. Please confirm that a safety assessment was made by TFL on the impact of the changes to the A24 on residential side roads covering Rowfant Road (SW17 7AS) prior to the changes being implemented.
2. Please provide a copy of the safety assessment described in point 1 including data on which the safety assessment relied on.
3. Has any assessment been made by TFL after the implementation of the changes to the A24 to assess the impact of these changes to residential side roads covering Rowfant Road.
4. Please provide a copy of any such assessment described in point 1 including data on which any such assessment relies on.
5. What future or ongoing assessments are planned by TFL to assess the impact of the changes to the A24 on residential side roads covering Rowfant Road.
6. What steps have been made to collect data and other evidence to support future or ongoing assessments covered by point 5.
7. Please provide any available explanation of why the changes to the A24 were adopted under emergency powers.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-2088-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 13 December 2021.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked:
1. Please confirm that a safety assessment was made by TFL on the impact of the changes to the A24 on residential side roads covering Rowfant Road (SW17 7AS) prior to the changes being implemented. 2. Please provide a copy of the safety assessment described in point 1 including data on which the safety assessment relied on. 3. Has any assessment been made by TFL after the implementation of the changes to the A24 to assess the impact of these changes to residential side roads covering Rowfant Road. 4. Please provide a copy of any such assessment described in point 1 including data on which any such assessment relies on.
In response to the above four questions, Rowfont Road is not TfL highway and does not connect to the A24. We have neither made any changes to Rowfont Road nor carried out a Road Safety Audit on this borough owned highway.
5. What future or ongoing assessments are planned by TFL to assess the impact of the changes to the A24 on residential side roads covering Rowfant Road. 6. What steps have been made to collect data and other evidence to support future or ongoing assessments covered by point 5.
After implementing the temporary measures on the A24, we have continued to monitor the corridor and take on feedback from stakeholders. This includes engaging with the local boroughs to understand local views as well as any plans they have on their roads in the vicinity. In 2022 we plan to work with borough officers to identify if any local roads, including those around Rowfont Road, require specific monitoring as a result of the changes on the A24.
7. Please provide any available explanation of why the changes to the A24 were adopted under emergency powers.
The changes to the A24 were implemented under a temporary traffic order in summer/autumn 2020 in response to the pandemic to provide safer space for people to cycle and ease crowding on public transport. When the Government removed the legal requirement to socially distance, we decided to make the new temporary traffic orders for safety reasons – ensuring that the changes remain enforceable and that the road network continues to operate in a safe manner. Due to time constraints, we issued an emergency notice followed by the temporary traffic order setting out this decision. This time allows us time to review how to proceed with the operation of the corridor in the future.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
