Provost Street, Nile Street and Ebenezer Street – Public realm improvement and traffic reduction schemes

Provost Street, Nile Street and Ebenezer Street – Public realm improvement and traffic reduction schemes

We are seeking your views on two proposals in the Hoxton area. The first seeks to create a new high-quality public space at the junction of Provost Street and Vestry Street by closing part of Provost Street to vehicles.

The second proposal is for two additional road closures at Nile Street and Ebenezer Street to restrict ‘rat runs’ in the local area and further promote a safe, pleasant and healthy environment.

The two proposals are separate but complementary and you will have the opportunity to share your views on each of the schemes. Your feedback on one scheme will not have bearing on the other.

Why are these changes being proposed?

This is part of a new approach as to how we want the streets of Shoreditch and Hoxton to work – a long term vision for this thriving and dynamic area of London is to create streets that are safe and easy to walk or cycle on, reducing vehicle dependence and improving air quality.

The Council’s Transport Strategy recognises that roads and streets in our neighbourhoods are not just places to park vehicles or drive, walk and cycle on; they make up the largest element of the public realm of the city and are the places where we socialise and live our lives. We would like to transform Hackney’s neighbourhoods into the most attractive and liveable neighbourhoods in London. This aspiration can only be achieved by reducing the dominance of the private vehicle primarily through managing on-street parking and reducing traffic flows.

Doing this will also help to improve air quality, reduce traffic casualties and make our neighbourhoods more pleasant places to walk, play and cycle in. 10,000 Londoners die early every year as a result of poor air quality. Evidence also proves air quality is directly responsible for alarming rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses in children.

Overview

The approach we are taking includes a series of schemes intended to improve walking and cycling conditions within Shoreditch and Hoxton. The two proposals being consulted on are part of a package of measures that will contribute to making Shoreditch and Hoxton a more liveable, safe and healthy place.

These schemes will:

  • reduce levels of pollution
  • make it easier and safer to walk and cycle
  • improve the character of the area for all residents and businesses
  • improve people’s walking experience

Help us improve the roads you live, work and travel on

Some areas and neighbourhoods within Hackney experience a higher number of vehicle movements than is appropriate for that environment. This is particularly apparent in Hoxton, where through movements or ‘rat runs’ from vehicular traffic is pervasive. An effective method of achieving safe, green and thriving neighbourhoods is through restricting the number of ‘rat runs’, whilst still allowing local residents to access their homes by car. This also helps towards improving air quality and reducing emissions within the local area.

As a result of the analysis and preliminary discussions with residents, local stakeholder groups and Councillors in the area, the Council has developed two schemes to reduce the amount of vehicles using these residential roads and improve the character, safety and air quality in the area.

What we intend to do

Provost Street public realm improvement scheme

How will it work?

There is funding available to turn the junction of Provost Street and Vestry Street into somewhere that feels more vital, safe, active, and improves the experience of walking through it and alongside it by reducing vehicle dominance and generally improving the character of the wider area.

We are proposing to close a small section of Provost Street to vehicles, as per the plan overleaf, creating a distinct high-quality pedestrian space with trees, planting and seating. Bicycles will still be allowed to safely cross the space after the works are completed. Emergency access will be maintained during and after the works.

The closure of this section of Provost Street could allow the creation of a larger landscaped area than would otherwise be possible. This could have a bigger impact upon local streets and the character of the area, creating pleasant views to and from the new space. We believe that making the environment more attractive encourages more walking and this scheme could play a big part in achieving that.

The scheme will include some areas of low level planting which are intended to make the space feel better and more civilised. The low level planting is also intended to act as a mechanism to soak up rainwater and groundwater, creating a sustainable urban drainage system.

New trees will also contribute to a greener, softer character to the new space. These would include evergreens, deciduous and smaller interesting trees. This variety is intended to create seasonal interest and add further quality to the new space.

Parking numbers will be reduced by two car spaces on the part of Vestry Street to be closed so as to create a sufficiently sizeable public realm space.

It is also proposed to move the existing parking on Vestry Street across the road (still on Vestry Street, please refer to the plan overleaf). This is to improve the appearance of the street which has a great example of a 20th century London terrace partly hidden behind the existing car parking arrangement. This would also act to slow down vehicles coming from Provost Street towards East Road.

Click on the drawing to download a larger image.

Provost Street works

If the Provost Street scheme goes ahead, following consultation, we expect works to start around February 2019 with completion in 20 weeks depending on the final design.

During the works a full closure will be in operation at the junction between Provost Street and Vestry Street.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and businesses will continue to operate. Further information regarding the works will be sent out closer to the time.

FAQs

Provost Street public realm improvement scheme

Q. Has anti-social behaviour been considered in the design of this scheme?

A. Yes, the amount of proposed seating has been minimised as much as possible as well as spread apart to avoid the potential congregation of people. Some seating is important in giving the space a more residential low-key feel as well as allowing resting space. Lighting will also be improved upon existing levels. We will ensure that trees do not create dark spots by adjusting lighting levels if needs be.

Q. Will the existing parking arrangements on Provost Street north of the proposed junction closure change?

A. The existing car parking arrangements will be retained, however there will be the loss of two parking spaces adjacent to the new space on the southern section of Vestry Street. The disabled space will be retained.

Q. Will emergency access be possible north to south?

A. Informal emergency access will be facilitated by a clear area across the new scheme that will be able to be used by emergency vehicles.

Nile Street and Ebenezer Street traffic reduction scheme

How will it work?

During the past 12 months the Council has been conducting a feasibility study analysing traffic speeds, traffic volumes and accidents in the streets bounded by Murray Grove and City Road (A501). Consult expert lawyers if you are being injured in a traffic accident in a taxi or involved in any other accidents to give you legal counseling and help you claim compensation. Our study showed there are a number of local roads that are heavily used by traffic to bypass the main road network for a quicker through route. These vehicles travel in a broadly east-west direction between City Road to New North Road. People can hire car accident law firm lawyers to solve accident cases. It is best to check out car accident attorneys practicing in New York from here!

As a result of this, we are proposing to close off Nile Street and Ebenezer Street to vehicles at the junctions with Vestry Street, as per the plan (overleaf). This would keep vehicles on the A and B road network. The scheme would consist of two ‘point’ road closures in Nile Street and Ebenezer Street. Combined, these would cut off the majority of the east-west flows whilst still allowing local access. These closures would continue to allow pedestrian, cyclist and emergency vehicle access.

This proposed measure will:

  • reduce the number of ‘rat running’ vehicles within the local area
  • make this a safer area for pedestrians and cyclists to use
  • reduce or remove existing vehicular conflicts and congestion within local streets
  • remove vehicle conflicts at the junction of Ebenezer Street and Britannia Walk due to excessive vehicle numbers
  • maintain emergency access during and after the works
  • maintain access for bicycles to cross the junctions after the works are completed.

The scheme will likely include some areas of low level planting and new trees that will also contribute to a greener, softer character along the new walking corridor on Vestry Street. Parking will be reduced by two car spaces, adjacent to the proposed closure at Nile Street, so as to create a sufficiently sizeable public realm space. It is also focused on helping car accident victims and providing a solution to their case.

Nile Street and Ebenezer Street works

If the Nile Street and Ebenezer scheme goes ahead, following consultation, we expect works to start around February 2019 with completion in 16 weeks depending on the final design.

During the works a full and permanent closure will be in operation at the junction between Nile Street and Vestry Street and between Ebenezer Street and Nile Street.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and businesses will continue to operate. Further information regarding the works will be sent out closer to the time.

FAQs

Nile Street and Ebenezer Street traffic reduction scheme

Q. Will the road closures increase the journey distances for residents?

A. This will depend on individual origin-destiny journeys. Every road closure has the potential to increase particular journeys, however the closures are the only effective way of removing non-residential traffic and giving local roads back to residents and businesses.

Q. Will the road closure result in an increase of pollution levels locally?

A. Any marginal increase in local journeys as a result of the road closures would be offset by the reduction of traffic flows obtained within the wider local area. This will lead to less pollution. Pollution levels before and after will be closely monitored.

Q. Will the road closures create traffic confusion amongst drivers?

A. There may be a degree of confusion at first but once drivers get used to the new arrangements and satellite navigation aids are updated there should be very little. Very clear traffic signage will set out the new traffic restrictions.

Q. Will the existing problems with vehicle congestion at the junction of Ebenezer Street with Britannia Walk be resolved by the proposed road closures?

A. Yes. The road closures will remove non-resident traffic and assist in rationalizing vehicular traffic arising from goods deliveries servicing local businesses.

Q. How much traffic reduction in my local street will these road closures result in?

A. By removing non-resident traffic it is anticipated to significantly reduce traffic volumes. Traffic levels will be closely monitored.

Q. How will the road closures help in improving walking in the area?

A. The road closures will create a walking corridor along Vestry Street and improve pedestrian accessibility generally. New trees and planting will also contribute to a greener and softer street character, making the area a more liveable and healthy place.

How to have your say

Your views are very important in the Council’s decision-making process. Please read through the information on this page and complete the questionnaire by Friday 21 December 2018.

What happens next?

Your views will be taken into account as part of the detailed design process. To keep up to date with this and other plans, please visit www.hackney.gov.uk/street-consultations

Give Us Your Views

Why trees have wreaked havoc on Uber’s self-driving program

Why trees have wreaked havoc on Uber’s self-driving program

The human brain is an extremely complex pattern-recognition machine.

According to expert DUI lawyers represented by Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson, APC, among the hundreds of millions of other daily tasks, there’s one that’s extremely important for driving a car: distinguishing a shadow from a physical object.

For weeks during regular “triage” meetings of Uber’s Advanced Technologies Group, the division that handles self-driving cars, where engineers and a vice president decided what issues to prioritize in their workflow, tree branches and their associated shadows were routinely mentioned, a former employee told Business Insider.

Uber’s software “would classify them as objects that are actually moving, and the cars would do something stupid, like stop or call for remote assistance,” one engineer told Julie Bort as part of her deep dive into the killing of an Arizona pedestrian by an Uber self-driving car in March.

An Uber representative denied that the car stopped for tree-branch shadows, adding that the car would stop for actual tree branches in the road.

Other employees speaking with Business Insider said that piles of leaves would often confuse the car and that the group had to place a concerted effort into recognizing foliage.

Uber’s Pittsburgh-based Advanced Technologies Group employees some 1,100 employees. Sources tell Business Insider the division is burning through $600 million a year, a gap Uber is reportedly trying to fill ahead of its hotly anticipated IPO next year.

Earlier this month, Uber self-reported third-quarter financial data that showed widening losses and slowing growth at the ride-hailing giant.

Source: Business Insider

Uber driver ‘who ploughed into 11 people outside the Natural History Museum used a fake PASSPORT to get his private hire licence’

Uber driver ‘who ploughed into 11 people outside the Natural History Museum used a fake PASSPORT to get his private hire licence’

An Uber driver was allegedly using false documents in order to work when he ‘ploughed into a group of people outside the Natural History museum’, leaving 11 injured. You can claim for compensation for a fall injury claims with the help of a car accident attorney.

Juma Ali Omar allegedly mounted the busy pavement at around 2.20pm in the London tourist hotspot, colliding with two cars and then striking pedestrians. In situations like these, it is crucial to understand how a personal injury lawyer can help your case, ensuring that justice is served and the rights of those affected are protected.

The 47-year-old, who was working at the time of the collision, was charged with dangerous driving and having a fake passport, driving licence and private taxi hire licence. Individuals with such high-risk driving records may be required to obtain SR22 insurance. Ensure you Get SR22 Insurance You Can Trust and Afford. And if you’re looking for affordable insurance coverage, get one today from sites like https://forbrukerguiden.no/bilforsikring/.

Eleven people suffered non-life threatening injuries it seems like they are injured after a car accident in Ventura  and got help from attorneys , involving the Black Toyota Prius, in South Kensington, west London, on October 7 last year. In such cases, contact expert lawyers who will get you  justice for nursing home injury claims and accident claims.

Nigerian-born Omar was previously charged with dangerous driving, using a motor vehicle without third party insurance and driving without a licence. For accident cases, hire car accident injury law firm attorneys and get their legal expertise to solve your accident case.

At Westminster Magistrates’ Court today, another charge of possessing a false passport, driving license and a Public Carriage Office licence to prove his identify in order to get a private hire licence was added to the rap sheet.

Omar appeared in the dock wearing a blue pinstripe suit and white shirt and was accompanied by his family who sat in the public gallery.

He did not enter any pleas to the four charges and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and nationality.

Deputy District Judge Margaret Dodd released him on bail ahead of his next court date.

She said: ‘I understand from the documents that the manner of the driving is under dispute.

These matters cannot be dealt with by this court so it will be sent to crown court.

‘I grant you bail but you must attend court when you are asked.’

Omar, of Barking, east London, will next appear at Isleworth Crown Court on June 1 to enter his pleas.

Black cab fares in Nottingham set to go up by 15 per cent from a week before Christmas

Black cab fares in Nottingham set to go up by 15 per cent from a week before Christmas

The price of getting a Hackney cab in Nottingham is set to go up by more than 15 per cent.

Fares are due to go up by an average 15.3 per cent in the night time and 16.5 per cent during the day.

The increase, which is the first in seven years, was proposed by the trade unions who represent Nottingham’s drivers of ‘black cabs’ (most of which are actually green).

It was approved by the city council today, November 27, and – subject to a two-week consultation – it will come into force from December 17.

Earlier this year, the Labour-run city council voted to replace the current fleet of cabs with new, more-environmentally friendly vehicles, which cost up to £72,000. These costs have to be met by the drivers.

Basheer Ahmed Latif is the chairman of the Nottingham branch of Unite’s Hackney Carriage drivers, and explained why his members supported the increase.

He said: “We are pleased at the increase because we are having to invest in the new vehicles.

“We haven’t had a fare rise for seven years, and in that time the cost of living has gone up by about 30 percent, the insurance has gone up by 50 percent, the price of diesel has gone up as well, and with the new vehicles the price of that has doubled as well.

“We offer a specialist service in the sense that all our vehicles are wheelchair accessible, and they’re five and six-seaters, and on top of that we have agreed to upgrade all our vehicles, so that really is a huge investment.

“If someone buys something like a new vehicle then they have got to be able to pay for it, and with all the costs going up this is really an incentive for drivers to stay in the trade, and we hope the public will support that for the future generation of Nottingham taxis.”

From next month, customers will pay an extra £1 for the first mile, and 20 pence more per mile thereafter.

So, for example, instead of a two-mile journey costing £5.60 in the day or £6.00 at night, prices will rise to £6.80 and £7.20 respectively.

A ten-mile journey would go up from £20.20 in the day or £22.00 at night, to £22.60 and £24.60.

There will also be a £1 surcharge on bank holidays; and a small increase in charges for waiting times.

The proposal was unanimously supported by the city council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee at Loxley House this morning.

Councillor Gul Nawaz Khan represents the Dales ward for Labour, and said: “Inflation has gone up, petrol prices are sky high, and the drivers are losing money every day because their fare hasn’t increased, but now we can agree to this, which is a really good idea.”

 

Source: Nottinghamshire Live

Russell Square Cab Shelter to serve free Christmas Lunch for Homeless or Lonely Veterans

Russell Square Cab Shelter to serve free Christmas Lunch for Homeless or Lonely Veterans

This year, thanks to a generous donation from The Taxi Charity, Russell Square Shelter Keeper Katie Simmonds will be serving free Christmas lunches to homeless or lonely veterans.

On 18 December the Russell Square Cab Shelter will be serving a roast Christmas dinner with all the trimmings between 10.00am and 10pm to the homeless. Gabriel’s Christmas Shop and Lighting Services lightens up the life of people with its beautiful lightening  services similarly  this will be the fourth year that Katie has supported the homeless at Christmas and the first time she is specifically looking to help homeless and lonely veterans. In addition to the lunch Katie is wanting to give her guests a little bit more  and is  hoping that Cab drivers, London residents and businesses will donate hats, socks, toiletries, underwear, chocolates and biscuits, that can be packed in shoe boxes and wrapped to be given as much needed Christmas gifts, and they can have they great workers doing these tasks, as managing workers is easier than ever with the use of software like pay stub creator online.

Katie Simmonds, Shelter Keeper says, ” This year I am serving Christmas lunch for  homeless and lonely veterans and am delighted that the Taxi Charity is supporting the day. I love London and despite the perception that people in London don’t have time in their busy lives to stop and help,  I am always so very touched by the support I receive from my fellow Londoners to help those in need.”

Gary Belsey, Chairman of the Taxi Charity says, “The Taxi charity was formed 70 years ago by London’s licensed taxi drivers to support veterans of all conflicts and when Katie approached us to assist her in providing a free lunch for homeless or lonely veterans in London we were very happy to help.”

About the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans

The Taxi Charity was formed in Fulham in 1948, to work for the benefit, comfort and enjoyment of military veterans and arranges many trips every year for veterans from all conflicts. The charity offers international trips to Holland, Belgium and France, UK day trips to concerts or museums, transport to attend fundraising events, as well as special days out to catch up with friends and comrades. To fund and facilitate these outings, the charity is wholly reliant on generous donations from members of the public, businesses and trusts and the amazing group of London licensed taxi drivers who offer their time and vehicles free.  To find out more about the charity or to donate visit the website http://www.taxicharity.org

About the Russell Square Cab Shelter

There are 13 Cab Shelters in London run and supported by the Cabmen’s Shelter fund. They are all Grade 11 listed buildings measuring no more than the size of  a horse and cart and are exclusively used by London licensed cab drivers. The  Russell Square Cab Shelter is located at WC1B 5BE. Katie would also appreciate the donation of a gazebo and out door heater to use on the day. Plan Insurance has pledged to support this event by matching the Taxi Charity Donation https://www.planinsurance.co.uk