March monthly update – Transport

Crossrail 1 is progressing well, and I had the opportunity to visit the very impressive work at Paddington station, with Assembly colleagues Val Shawcross and Tom Copley:

Andrew Dismore, Val Shawcross and Tom Copley

Andrew Dismore, Val Shawcross and Tom Copley

TfL have announced their proposals for consultation on Cycle Superhighway Route CS11 between Swiss Cottage and the West End. I am submitting a number of detailed questions to TfL about it, and am arranging a site visit to meet them to discuss the scheme.

And a new North-South Cycle Superhighway (CS6) between Stonecutter Street and King’s Cross with changes to King’s Cross Gyratory, too.

I would be interested in your views on these plans.

The night tube at weekends is now set to go ahead, but I am concerned about the potential impacts on residents living near the tracks.

At the Assembly Transport plenary, I raised the issue of the bus routes threatened by the decision of Conservative Hertfordshire County Council to cut the funding for cross boundary routes, which could have a major impact in Barnet if not replaced. I regret I did not get very satisfactory answers from the Mayor and TfL.

See also changes to the 263 bus route.

I continue to press for an earlier transfer of Thameslink to TfL.

I am supporting the residents’ petition asking for the transfer to be brought forward immediately, which I urge you to support.

 

95 per cent of the consultation respondents supported the TfL plans for the Camden Town station upgrade. Subject to funding and the relevant permissions, work on the station project could begin in 2019, for completion in 2023/4.

To meet the demand, and make journeys through the station easier for customers, a wide range of improvements are proposed. These benefits could include:

    • A new second entrance and exit to the station
    • Three new escalators
    • Step-free access from the street to trains, with two new lifts
    • More space to change between trains
  • The station remaining open during busy periods and removing the need for frequent crowd control measures

 

The House of Commons committee examining the HS2 Bill has published its rather disappointing report.

See also the HS2 Euston Action Group Newsletter.

HS2 will also affect other parts of the constituency beyond Euston. I visited Alexandra Place near Swiss Cottage to meet residents who will be affected by the proposed HS2 vent shaft.

I also questioned Sir Edward Lister, the Mayor’s chief of staff about HS2, Euston, and Old Oak Common in the Regeneration Committee.

I continue to back calls for a period of free parking in Barnet town centres.

Finally, I am concerned about double standards about advertising on the tube. See video here.

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