Dear Transport for London, Could you please send me all documentation submitted by Ikea or its agent for road signage to appear on the TfL road network to comply with section seven of the third schedule of the legal agreement it has with Greenwich Council to build and occupy its store in Greenwich (page 34: https://charltonchampion.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/13_3285_o-dpo_-_former_comet_store_and_existing_sainsbury_store_-_09_12_14-286927.pdf). Could you also please indicate when this documentation was received, and when the signage will be erected. If there has been no documentation sent by Ikea, could you please state what is being done to address highway constraints on the Woolwich Road roundabout and Peartree Way to honour this commitment. Many thanks for your help.

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Our ref: FOI-3106-1819/GH

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 14 February 2019 asking for information about Ikea road signage.

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.

Could you please send me all documentation submitted by Ikea or its agent for road signage to appear on the TfL road network to comply with section seven of the third schedule of the legal agreement it has with Greenwich Council to build and occupy its store in Greenwich (page 34: https://charltonchampion.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/13_3285_o-dpo_-_former_comet_store_and_existing_sainsbury_store_-_09_12_14-286927.pdf). Could you also please indicate when this documentation was received, and when the signage will be erected.

All documents that were submitted by Ikea or their agent to the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the Greater London Authority (GLA) are freely available on the websites below. These include information on signage.

Royal Borough of Greenwich - Under planning reference: 13/3285/O

https://planning.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=_GRNW_DCAPR_76174

GLA: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/planning-applications-and-decisions/planning-application-search/current

We can also provide the attached documents that we hold within TfL. Although these were not provided to us by Ikea or their agent, they are public and may be of interest:

• F29-HJ-Signage Strategy – this was provided to us by the Royal Borough of Greenwich and was submitted by Vectos (Ikea’s agent) in January 2019

   

• 14-0143 IKEA Greenwich Transport Assessment Report – produced by Vectos – the document was issued in December 2013

   

• Our initial response to the proposals – February 2014

   

• Our response to the stage 2 proposals – April 2014

Could you please state what is being done to address highway constraints on the Woolwich Road roundabout and Peartree Way to honour this commitment.

Background Information

During the planning review of the Ikea application in 2014 we did raise concerns about the impact of Ikea traffic on the Angerstein Roundabout. Our preference was for Ikea to influence a higher proportion of drivers to use Blackwall Lane to access the store rather than the Angerstein Roundabout. As with any new store it will take time for numbers and routing advice to settle. We also are very supportive of Ikea’s promotion of alternatives to car access to the store though again it will take time for that message to influence customers.

The 2014 Transport Assessment proposed signage strategy was to identify the retail area rather than a specific shop for drivers using the A102. TfL policy is minimise signage clutter on the highway as this may confuse drivers or drivers may ignore signage if there is too much information. TfL approach to signage is guided by national policy and TfL published guidance https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/streets-toolkit

Signage on the network that constitutes advertising may also require consent from the planning authorities, though some branded names may be also well known location names – for example the 02 Arena. Due to the issues raised we are in discussion with Ikea (via Vectos) and Royal Borough of Greenwich about the best signage strategy for the area. We may be able to agree to some temporary signage on the network to help guide drivers in the shorter term. Our approach is to co-operate with retail operators (and others) to minimise impact on users of our network and to act reasonably.

To note,

On submission of the Signage Strategy document Vectos and Royal Borough of Greenwich were advised of the following guidance:

“The guidance regarding placing signs on the TLRN is that signs for commercial operators or retail parks are often not permitted for one or more of the following reasons:

• The entrance of the venue is clearly visible from the approach roads (eg totem pole advertising)

   

• The venue is typical of the region and so does not warrant individual signs (eg several retail parks)

   

• Although large, the venue is still considered to be of local importance only (eg a hypermarket)

   

• The venue is in an area where the presence of other large regional destinations make it impractical to add the site to the directional signs

   

• Where two or more retail parks are to be signed at a junction they will not be named individually, but will be identified as “Retail Parks”.

   

• As in the case of any destination, visitors are expected to plan the route to the address they are given and make reference to existing directional signs.

   

• Retail park operators should therefore promote a valid address combined with navigational instructions based on existing signed destinations and landmarks.

Based on the above guidance I cannot recommend that IKEA signs are erected on the TLRN. An option worth considering is for appropriate direction signs to be placed on the IKEA website, and/or a postcode that encourages sat-navs to naturally use Blackwall Lane

In addition to working with Vectos and the borough on potential temporary signs we have also actioned the following:

• Amended the traffic signal timings at the interchanges with A102/ Angerstein Roundabout, A102/Blackwall Lane and the junctions with Bugsby’s Way and Peartree way.

   

   

• The junctions at Blackwall Lane and the western access from Bugsby’s Way - as part of a RB Greenwich scheme we are installing our dynamic traffic signal control system (SCOOT) that allows traffic signal timings to be changed in real time depending on the traffic conditions. This is in progress.

   

   

• At the eastern access from Peartree Way the traffic signals are being upgraded so that we can control them via our central computer system – in the meantime we have changed to pre programmed timings to help with the traffic flow. The upgrade is in progress,

   

   

• We are also working with Ikea’s traffic management lead and the borough to refine their car park loading plan, this has helped to reduce congestion on the approach roads by getting vehicles into the car park quicker and loading it from one end. Initially Ikea put in a one way system with no communication with TfL or the borough and which unfortunately then worked against all the traffic signal strategies we had prepared for the opening event.

   

   

• We highlighted a safety issue to both the borough and Ikea where traffic was travelling the wrong way down a bus lane; since this had happened signage and white lining has been enhanced to make it clearer to drivers not to use the bus lane.”

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

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