Hello

I have missed you all! Apologies for the radio silence these past few weeks. Rest assured, I have been on the case regarding Battersea Bridge and have remained in close contact with the relevant people at TFL and RBKC.

Basically, there was some delay with progress because of the Mayoral election. Now that is out of the way, I have had an up-date from TFL. The bullet points below summarise the key developments and timescale going forward. I also add and some other news.

I have been assured by TFL that I will remain centrally involved in all forthcoming meetings regarding changes at the bridge. I will continue to keep everyone up to speed. (RM: 16/5/21)

- Final designs for the Green Man crossing on the Southern Arm are now agreed. Works will begin by the end of August (I imagine it will be completed by September). This, I am told, is close to record time! There may be an issue regarding the construction work itself because BB is a listed structure. Specific permissions may be required.

- Designs have been drawn up by TFL for its solutions to crossings on the Western (Cheyne Walk) and the Northern arms (Beaufort Street). There are discussions going on between the council and TFL as to the exchange of these designs BEFORE public consultation. RBKC officers and councillors want time to comment on the plans and suggest their own solutions ahead of the public. This, to me at least, seems wholly reasonable as it would head off any unforeseen clash of ideas before they go public. Any disagreement may unnecessarily hold up plans to make Cheyne Walk safer.

- I will let everyone know when public consultation begins about these two arms. I hope there will be widespread - and constructive - engagement with the process as these crossings will have a dramatic impact for pedestrians and drivers alike for years to come.

- Works on these other two arms are unlikely to begin this year. (I find this extended timescale quite astonishing, but I'm new to this transport & highways world).

- TFL cannot at this stage provide a prediction as to the added delay to traffic crossing BB as a result of the Southern Arm crossing. They say it may be in the region of 10%, but have said that the "green light" time can be varied once real time statistics become available.

- In other news, I have heard that the Move For Jack weekend fundraiser  - a series of sporting activities in memory of Jack Ryan - has now raised over £50,000. Brilliant! Price Waterhouse Cooper, where Jack worked, weighed in with a generous donation to boost the appeal. Well played PwC!