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Regarding the Beech Street - Zero Emissions Scheme Press Announcement
Dear Barbican Resident,
On 16 December, City of London Corporation committees backed plans to launch the UK's first 24/7 zero emission street in a bid to improve air quality in the Square Mile. Following the subsequent press release this headline and story has widely been reported in the media. This announcement may have caused confusion and worry with residents and we want to take this opportunity to apologise and provide details regarding the scheme below.
Beech Street is expected to become restricted to zero emission vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians by Spring 2020, pending final approval by Transport for London. Exceptions will be provided, as detailed below for those accessing premises off Beech Street. Bus route 153, which is fully electric and runs down Beech Street, is unaffected by the changes.
The experimental traffic order will run for a maximum of 18 months, during which time the impact on air quality and traffic will be monitored.
Beech Street experiences high levels of air pollution as it is a busy, enclosed thoroughfare. A significant improvement in air quality is expected, resulting in health benefits for the many pedestrians and cyclists that use the street. The scheme aims to bring nitrogen dioxide levels within air quality guidelines set out by the European Union and World Health Organisation. We also hope to improve air quality in the vicinity of the street, particularly around the entrances to Richard Cloudesley School and Prior Weston Primary School.
If deemed successful, the trial may be made permanent. The scheme has been funded by the City of London Corporation and the Greater London Authority Mayor's Air Quality Fund.
Who can continue to use Beech Street during the scheme?
- drivers of zero-emission vehicles
- bus route 153 and its passengers
- cyclists
- pedestrians
- vehicles accessing premises off Beech Street for loading and servicing purposes
- emergency service vehicles
Those accessing the following located off Beech Street
What is a zero-emission vehicle?
- Barbican Centre car park, Beech Street entrance
- Barbican Estate
- Shakespeare Tower and Defoe House
- Cromwell Tower ground floor carpark
- Lauderdale Place
- Barbican Trade Centre West Vehicle Entrance
- Taxi / Private Hire pick up and drop off
- Deliveries including Royal Mail
- Takeaway food deliveries
- Refuse collections
- Visitors
- Care workers
- Tradesman and other servicing requirements.
- Removal vans
What is a zero-emission vehicle?
As per Transport for London's guidance and standards for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount for the Congestion Charge, zero emission vehicles will need to comply with all of the following criteria:
Awareness, consultation and monitoring of the scheme
- Maximum 75 g CO2/km
- Minimum 20 mile zero emission range
- Euro 6 equivalent NOx emission standard
Awareness, consultation and monitoring of the scheme
In June of this year, Members of the Barbican Residential Committee and ward representatives were
briefed on the objectives of the project, and the feedback from Members has been used to design a plan that minimises impacts on residents' activities.
Early in the new year, the City of London Corporation will be meeting with the Chair of the Barbican Association and our information campaign will begin from January onwards. The information campaign will take place before the traffic restrictions come in to force and will include social media, leafleting, and direct discussions with City firms and residents. Drop-in sessions for City and Islington residents will also take place in February.
The City of London Corporation will be meeting with the Chair of the Barbican Association early in the new year and our information campaign will begin from January onwards. Our information campaign will take place before the restrictions come in and will include social media, leafleting, direct discussions with City firms and residents. Drop-in sessions for residents of the Barbican and Islington will also take place in February.
As the scheme is being implemented under an experimental traffic order, the formal public consultation period will coincide with the first six months of the restriction. There will be additional public drop-in sessions and meetings with local businesses during this time period. A comprehensive monitoring strategy will be in place during the experiment measuring traffic flows and air quality both on Beech Street and the surrounding road network. Results of the public consultation, and the monitoring outputs will be reported back to Committees.
Enforcement
To deliver these changes, vehicles will be rerouted via advance warnings and signage on the approach to the street. Vehicle restrictions will be enforced via automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras with a penalty charge notice issued to drivers who contravene the experimental traffic order.
Next steps and further details
Following approval by the relevant City Corporation committees, the implementation of the scheme is subject to final approval from Transport for London.
- Read our full press release.
- Read the December 2019 Committee report.
- Visit the project webpage – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/beechstreet
If you have any questions related to the scheme, email the project team at beech.street@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
Kind regards,
City of London Corporation
Our mailing address is:
Barbican Estate Office
3 Lauderdale Place
London, Lnd EC2Y 8EN
United Kingdom
City of London Corporation
Our mailing address is:
Barbican Estate Office
3 Lauderdale Place
London, Lnd EC2Y 8EN
United Kingdom
