Request ID: FOI-2312-2324 Date published: 18 October 2023
You asked
I should like to know the cost of the new traffic scheme closing the turning from Finchley Road into Fortune Green Road, including all details of its planning and implementation costs. If possible the economic cost of delays on Finchley Road during its construction should also be provided. I should like details of how this expenditure was approved and who is accountable for it, as well as a summary of any consultations that were undertaken.
We answered
TfL Ref: 2312-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 29 September 2023 asking for information about the cost of a traffic scheme at Finchley Road / Fortune Green Road.
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: I should like to know the cost of the new traffic scheme closing the turning from Finchley Road into Fortune Green Road, including all details of its planning and implementation costs. If possible the economic cost of delays on Finchley Road during its construction should also be provided. I should like details of how this expenditure was approved and who is accountable for it, as well as a summary of any consultations that were undertaken
The cost of the Finchley Road; junction with Fortune Green Road scheme is estimated to be £169,000 but this won’t be confirmed until after construction is finished on 19th October. This figure includes both planning and implementation costs, as well as the cost of the Public Consultation, which was undertaken between 14th February and 27th March 2020. The following link will take you to the report and supporting documents https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/finchley-road/widgets/34908/documents
For this scheme to be approved for construction, data must be presented to a decision panel on four occasions, after each level of the design has been completed (Optioneering, Feasibility, Concept and finally Detailed Design). The data must show that the scheme’s benefits are worth the investment in order for the scheme to proceed to the next level of design and following that, construction. Data for this scheme showed that buses would make a time saving of 49 seconds during the PM peak through this junction and this was calculated to provide £543,000 per annum in customer benefits. The Investment Delivery Planning Directorate is accountable for the decision to proceed with the changes at this location, based on this strong financial case.
For projects with an estimated cost below £1m we don’t currently consider the economic cost of delay during construction, however we do take into consideration the economic cost of delay to buses. As the cost of delay during construction is for a short period, the longer term benefits of the scheme outweigh the shorter term cost from construction.
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.
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
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
