My written questions and the Mayors answers from June

Bus route Devonshire Rd Mill Hill

Question No: 2015/1772

Andrew Dismore

Devonshire Rd Mill Hill is a long road with no bus route. Will you provide a bus route for residents on this busy road, and if not why not?

Written response from the Mayor

TfL have considered diverting routes from Bittacy Hill to serve Devonshire Road. However, this would remove the direct connections with Mill Hill East Tube station, and the new Millbrook Park development. As the majority of houses along Devonshire Road are within 400 metres of a bus stop, it was decided not to alter the current routings.

 

Quakers Course Colindale

Question No: 2015/1773

Andrew Dismore

will you make the busy bus stop in Quakers Course, Colindale more accessible, and if not why not?

Written response from the Mayor

There are two bus stops in Quakers Course, serving routes 186, 204, 303 and N5. The stop closest to Lanacre Avenue meets accessibility criteria. However the second stop, 100m north of Lanacre Avenue, does not. Following the provision of £400k from TfL this financial year, Barnet Council is preparing a programme of accessibility improvements. TfL will continue to encourage Barnet Council to include the Quakers Course stop in this programme.

 

King‘s Cross gyratory

Question No: 2015/1774

Andrew Dismore

TfL promised a consultation event this summer about the removal of the King’s Cross gyratory. I understand  that this has been put back. Why is this, and when will proposals be brought forward?

Written response from the Mayor

TfL has established a working group comprising officers from the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington who are meeting every 6 weeks to develop a collaborative solution for the King’s Cross area. As a result, the feasibility stage has been extended to ensure the right solution is reached which meets the requirements of residents, businesses and users at this very complex area of London’s road network.

 

TfL expect to agree a preferred scheme design with the Boroughs by mid-2016, with a public consultation to follow later that year.

 

Brent Cross/ Cricklewood (1)

Question No: 2015/1775

Andrew Dismore

Are you satisfied about the impact the proposals for Brent Cross/ Cricklewood will have on the wider road network, bus network  and traffic congestion ; and if not what are you doing about it ?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

 

Brent Cross/ Cricklewood 2

Question No: 2015/1776

Andrew Dismore

What estimate have you made of the impact the proposals for Brent Cross/ Cricklewood will have on bus reliability, length in time of journeys and frequency in the wider area?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Brent Cross/ Cricklewood (3)

Question No: 2015/1777

Andrew Dismore

What  conversations have you had and when  with  the Brent Cross/ Cricklewood developers  and with Barnet Council about long term affordable private sector rental properties as part of the development? will you  commit to introducing this as a requirement for part of the Brent Cross/ Cricklewood development?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Brent Cross/ Cricklewood (4)

Question No: 2015/1778

Andrew Dismore

Given that every existing green space in the southern part of the Brent Cross Cricklewood development is being either removed entirely or reduced in size, what do you propose to do about this significant loss of green space?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Brent Cross/ Cricklewood (5)

Question No: 2015/1779

Andrew Dismore

Given the fact that a huge waste plant at Brent Cross has outline permission from Barnet council already as part of the Brent Cross/ Cricklewood scheme, when do you expect to be consulted on  any future detailed waste plant application?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

The proposed Brent Cross Thameslink station

Question No: 2015/1780

Andrew Dismore

£96 million of taxpayers money has been pledged by the treasury for the new station. what financial contribution to the station  will the Brent Cross/ Cricklewood developers be making towards it?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Waste Depot relocation

Question No: 2015/1781

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No 2015/1323

‘I have been contacted by local residents who are concerned about the development of a new waste facility at Abbot’s Depot in Oakleigh Road South, N11. Can you provide information on what consultation should have been conducted and whether the GLA has had any involvement in this project?’

Your response being:

‘I understand that the Council has carried out pre-application public consultation on its proposal for a waste and recycling depot. The GLA has not had any involvement to date, although an application would be referable if it involves storage of waste on a site of more than 1ha and/or more than 50,000 tonnes throughput per annum.’

As the throughput of the depot is going to be well in excess of 50, 000 tonnes, when do you expect to commence informal pre application discussions with Barnet Council about this, and if they have already commenced with what outcome; and when do you expect formal consultations to begin?

Written response from the Mayor

I understand that my planning officers are due to meet officers from Barnet Council to discuss the proposals next week.

 

Finchley Central connection to Mill Hill East (1)

Question No: 2015/1782

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No 2015/1319

‘My constituents are still reporting to me that there is no link up between trains arriving at Finchley Central, and those leaving for Mill Hill East. Passengers are missing the connection by seconds and having to wait 15 minutes until another service can take them to Mill Hill East. Why is there no link between these services?’

your response being

‘The Northern line timetable schedules the departure of the Mill Hill East shuttle shortly after a train arrives into Finchley Central.

Occasionally, delays further along the Northern line mean that a timetabled train will not arrive on schedule. In these cases, the Mill Hill East shuttle departs as scheduled to ensure any subsequent delays are prevented, but TfL seeks to minimise this as much as possible.’

There is a single track between Finchley Central and Mill Hill East. Trains departing from Mill Hill have ten to 15 minutes gap between each departure. If a train is held at Finchley Central for say a minute to wait for an incoming train , why can this not be accommodated  by  a shorter gap between trains departing from Mill Hill East, say nine to 14 minutes instead of the usual ten to 15 minutes..

Written response from the Mayor

The shuttle service currently runs every 15 minutes. TfL has advised that trains cannot be held for more than a minute as this would risk a delay to departures at Mill Hill East as the driver requires a fixed amount of time to change ends.

 

I understand that, due to the setup of the signalling system, it is difficult for drivers to know whether a train is shortly due to arrive on the other platform at Finchley Central and whether to wait for a connection. TfL will be introducing a permanent solution to this in early 2016 as part of a planned software upgrade.

 

A signal for drivers will illuminate if the connecting train has entered the platform and stay illuminated for some seconds after it has departed to give customer time to interchange. In the meantime TfL has issued a reminder to staff to physically check if any trains are entering the platform before closing their doors and departing for Mill Hill East.

 

TfL will also review the performance of the current timetable and will consider if the Mill Hill East shuttle could be scheduled differently, so the risk of this situation arising is reduced.

 

TfL would be happy to take you through this in further detail if required.

 

Finchley Central connection to Mill Hill East 2

Question No: 2015/1783

Andrew Dismore

I previously raised with you the suggestion that bus and tube train departure times from Mill Hill East could be co-ordinated and staggered, so passengers would not have to wait more that 7.5 minutes for either a bus or tube, rather than up to 15 minutes. you previously indicated that this would be considered, once the bus route was extended into Millbrook Park, which has now taken place. Will you now consider this suggestion?

Written response from the Mayor

Route 382 was extended to Millbrook Park on 4 April 2015.   As part of this extension, timetables were changed to better align with Tube services.  This change prioritised passengers disembarking from Northern Line services at Mill Hill East and wishing to continue up the hill to Millbrook Park.   It was not possible to also align services in the southbound direction due to the time taken to travel to Millbrook Park and back to Mill Hill East Station.

 

TfL would be happy to take you through this in more detail if required.

 

A1 Stirling Corner to Borehamwood Junction

Question No: 2015/1784

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No 2015/1317

‘Between Stirling Corner and Borehamwood Junction (A1) there is a sensible 50mph limit which is designed to make the road safer. Constituents have complained to me about the lack of observance of the 50mph limit. In light of this is it possible for the MPS to patrol (in arrangement with Herefordshire Constabulary) along this route in order to enforce the 50 mph limit?’

Your response being:

‘Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly’.

Will you now give a substantive reply?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Bus routes Finchley Road

Question No: 2015/1785

Andrew Dismore

The consultation during the election on the plan to axe bus 13 was stopped, as it was inappropriate during election purdah. I understand that TfL still intend to cut bus services along the Finchley Road and Abbey Road corridors, potentially affecting routes  13, 82, 113, 139 and 189. When will you bring forward your proposals for this?

Written response from the Mayor

TfL has established a working group comprising officers from the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington who are meeting every 6 weeks to develop a collaborative solution for the King’s Cross area. As a result, the feasibility stage has been extended to ensure the right solution is reached which meets the requirements of residents, businesses and users at this very complex area of London’s road network.

 

TfL expect to agree a preferred scheme design with the Boroughs by mid-2016, with a public consultation to follow later that year.

 

Stirling Corner – Cycling Round the Junction

Question No: 2015/1786

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No 2015/0614, Further to Question No 2015/0153 Further to Question No 2014/5265, further to question 2014-4346, Further to question 2014-3747 Further to question 2014-3331: “Further to question 2014-1999:”Further to Question 2014-1459:”Further to your answer to Question 2014-1015, further to your answer to Question 2014-0258 and further to your answer to Question 4161-2012: “I cycle the whole of London. When I next do Stirling Corner I will give you a report”; And your answers to questions 261-2013, 522-2013, 1041-2013, 1464-2013 and Question 2039-2013 and Question 2497 – 2013  referring back to your non-answers to my invitation to you to attempt to go round Stirling Corner on your bike, and your repeated answer “I have nothing to add to MQ 4161-2012″, and your answer to Question 3083-2013, “I cycle the whole of London and when I next pass through Stirling Corner I will be sure to give you a report”; and your answer to Question 2013-3698: “Since my last response to you on this matter “I cycle the whole of London and when I next pass through Stirling Corner I will be sure to give you a report”, I have not cycled through Stirling Corner. However, when I next pass through Stirling Corner, I will be sure to give you a report.” And further to Question 2013-5236: “Have you ever cycled round Stirling Corner? Have you cycled round Stirling Corner since you promised to do so; if not why not; and if not when do you expect to cycle round Stirling Corner? Or is it that you have no intention of doing so in the foreseeable future and just want to pretend you are a keen cyclist with cyclists’ concerns at heart and have no intention of honouring your commitment to do so, so that your original answer can be seen as nothing more than a fobbing off exercise? Or are you frightened of doing so, as it is too dangerous? Why do you have nothing to add? Aren’t you embarrassed by your non responses when reminded of your promise? And to Question 2013-4184 “I have nothing further to add to my previous answers to this question. It costs around £70 to respond to each Mayor’s Question and this question has now been asked 10 times.” “Why have you nothing to add? Are you not ashamed of your continual failure to honour this commitment? Why are you trying to avoid legitimate scrutiny of your work by suggesting that questions such as this that you find difficult and embarrassing should not be repeatedly asked until you provide a proper reply?” Your answer being: “This is the 11th time you have asked this question. I have not cycled through Stirling Corner. However, when I next cycle through Stirling Corner, I will be sure to give you a report.” Did you pass by Sterling Corner on your recent visit to Hendon?  Have you cycled round the roundabout yet? If not, why not?” Your written response being: “This is the 12th time you have asked this question. Please see my response to MQ5236-2013″. “Isn’t it about time you honoured your commitment to ride round the junction on your bike, assuming you have yet to do so, so you don’t have to keep answering this question which reveals your failure to honour your pledge? Your answer being: Your question could have simply read “Have you cycled around Stirling Corner?” and my response to that question is “Please see my response to MQ 4161-2012″. Have you ridden round String corner yet on your bike; if not why not; and is your answer above an indication of the embarrassment you feel about being reminded about yet another broken pledge?” Your response being: “Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly. “Have you still not cycled round Stirling Corner, and if not, why not? your response being: My response to MQ 2014-1459 was “I have not broken any pledge on this issue.”   bearing in mind that this junction serves Hertsmere as well as Barnet, will we see you honouring your pledge now, to cycle round the junction; and as we have just seen the welcome announcement of a 50 mph limit, can we expect shortly also to see the permanent 24-7 traffic lights local people want, and swift action on the need for pedestrian and cyclist improvements? Your response  being “The findings of the trial to operate traffic signals on a full time basis will be made available shortly.  At the same time, TfL will bring forward information on the potential for any further improvement works at the roundabout.” Have you cycled round the junction yet? your response being: “Andrew, you are repeatedly asking the same question and I am repeatedly giving you the same answer. We also discussed this recently during the TfL Plenary on Wednesday 10 September. To reiterate the answer I gave then, “as soon as I have cycled round Stirling Corner you will be among the first to know”. Boris, as you seem to be getting tetchy having repeatedly to answer this question, is not the answer for you ask yourself why I keep asking this question, which is because it is very dangerous to cycle round the junction until you get your finger out and do something to make it safer; and is the answer also for you to honour your pledge to cycle round the junction so you can see for yourself; and have you cycled round Stirling Corner yet? your response being Please see my response to MQ 2012- 4161 at: http:–questions.london.gov.uk-QuestionSearch-searchclient-questions-question_45351?findQuestionsByQuestionSequenceId=MQ%204161-2012 As it is now almost 3 years since you made your promise to cycle round the junction do you ever intend to honour it?  your response being Please see my response to MQ 2012 – 4161 at:http:–questions.london.gov.uk-QuestionSearch-searchclient-questions-question_45351?findQuestionsByQuestionSequenceId=MQ%204161-2012

when will I receive a substantive reply ? Your response being: ‘Please see my response to MQ 2012 – 4161 at: http:–questions.london.gov.uk-QuestionSearch-searchclient-questions-question_45351?findQuestionsByQuestionSequenceId=MQ%204161-2012′ Will you now give a substantive reply to confirm you have honoured your promise? Your response being:  ‘Please see my response to MQ 2012 – 4161 at: http:–questions.london.gov.uk-QuestionSearch-searchclient-questions-question_45351?findQuestionsByQuestionSequenceId=MQ%204161-2012. This being : Main question: Will you accept my invitation to attempt to go round Stirling Corner on your bike? Your answer being: ‘I cycle the whole of London. When I next do Stirling Corner I will give you a report.’

Have you cycled round Stirling Corner yet?

Written response from the Mayor

I cycle the whole of London. When I next do Stirling Corner I will give you a report.

Contact points

Question No: 2015/1787

Andrew Dismore

You previously answered questions about contact points by saying the review would be published in March 2015.  Has this now been published; if not when will it come out; and if it has been published, what were the conclusions?

Written response from the Mayor

Please see my response to MQ 958 / 2015.

 

Policing football matches

Question No: 2015/1788

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No 2015/0619

‘How much a) has been spent so far on policing football matches this season; b) what is the total estimated cost of policing football matches for the whole season; c) how much has been recovered from football clubs so far this season; and d) what is the total estimated amount likely to be recovered from football clubs for the policing of football matches for the whole season?’

Your response being:

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Will you now give a substantive reply?

Written response from the Mayor

Please see my response to MQ 619 / 2015.

Kings Cross gyratory

Question No: 2015/1789

Andrew Dismore

In developing plans for the King’s Cross gyratory, will you approach this  as both a traffic issue and  a public realm issue using  TfL’s  Valuing Public Realm toolkit?

Written response from the Mayor

We are undertaking a feasibility study in partnership with the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington, which seeks to balance the needs of all users in the area. A concept design is in development, which aims to better balance the impact of traffic with the need to create an improved place to live, work and visit, and has a strong focus on improving safety for all road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists.

 

Many tools will be used during scheme development, including the Valuing Urban Realm Toolkit and the framework produced by the Roads Task Force that brings together local and road network considerations.

 

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