Late April MQT answers
Tube Noise Complaints in London
Question No: 2017/0559
Andrew Dismore
Can you please give the numbers of tube noise complaints TfL have received for the past 5 years – 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 – and their location on the tube map?
Written response from the Mayor
TfL has a process in place to respond quickly and comprehensively to noise complaints. Since the successful launch of Night Tube, TfL has been providing customers with a named contact via a dedicated phone number, with ready access to experts that are working to tackle the root cause of noise. This involves visits to residents’ homes to measure noise levels both before and after any work is undertaken.
TfL logs complaints about noise from the Tube in three main categories:
1) Train movements
2) Stations and other installations, such as noise from PA systems and ventilation shafts
3) Maintenance and engineering work conducted overnight and at weekends
Better data capture over the years has enabled TfL to measure these complaints more accurately.
The overall number of noise complaints across all categories for the past five years is provided below. A detailed breakdown is attached showing Tube line and station name, where this information was provided in the complaint.
The relatively high number of complaints at East Finchley station in 2016 relates to the significant track renewal and maintenance work on the track between this station and Finchley Central station that year. I understand that TfL has met with you to discuss noise issues at this location and that work it is doing to resolve this.
TfL takes noise complaints very seriously and has a robust engineering-led procedure to prioritise mitigation work as quickly as possible. Anyone disturbed by the Night Tube or everyday Tube services can contact TfL’s 24/7 Customer Service Centre on 0343 222 1234 or www.tfl.gov.uk/contact. Everyone is guaranteed a personal response and an effective, speedy investigation of their issue.
TfL believes that the announcements and publicity prior to the Night Tube service that started in 2014/15 may have caused an increase in complaints from that year from people who were concerned about the potential for disturbance once the service actually commenced.
Noise complaints by year:
| Year | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
| Total Complaints | 322 | 376 | 473 | 700 | 963 |
Please note, these figures are not all unique complaints as some originate from the same person and relate to the same issue.
Tube Noise Complaints in London
Question No: 2017/1812
Andrew Dismore
Further to Question No: 2017/0559:
‘Can you please give the numbers of tube noise complaints TfL have received for the past 5 years – 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 – and their location on the tube map?’
Your response being:
‘Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly’.
Will you now provide a substantive reply?
Written response from the Mayor
Please see my response to MQ 2017/0559.
HS2 [2]
Question No: 2017/1816
Andrew Dismore
Do you agree that there are many reasons why Old Oak Common should be designated as a temporary terminus for HS2 but high among them are that by delaying High Speed Rail services into Euston until Crossrail 2 services commence this also offers the dual benefits of (a) allowing agencies to work together to integrate the different construction schemes to help mitigate some of the disruption and; (b) helping to significantly reduce crowding particularly on the already overstretched Northern and Victoria line services during peak periods, which will make transiting through Euston that much easier for passengers. Will you make further representations to the Secretary of State for Transport to ensure the Government hears this message loud and clear?
Written response from the Mayor
I have asked TfL to keep the Euston Station masterplan work under review before any further discussion with the Secretary of State.
TfL is pressing HS2 to maximise the volume of site material transported by rail, to relieve pressure on the street network and minimise the numbers of large vehicles on London’s streets.
TfL is also reviewing the works required to the London Underground station at Euston to help HS2 work behind hoardings as much as possible, and help keep services running during construction.
Please also see my answer to MQ 2017/1815.
Congestion charge [1]
Question No: 2017/1821
Andrew Dismore
Do any embassies and high commissions recognise the congestion charge, and pay it regularly; and if so which ones?
Written response from the Mayor
Yes. The attached table in Appendix 1821 lists the diplomatic missions that have paid 100 per cent of all Congestion Charges since 1 January 2009.
A quarterly report on outstanding Congestion Charges and related penalty fare charges owed by embassies is published on the Finance, Operations & Performance pages of TfL’s website at: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/congestion-charge.
Congestion charge [2]
Question No: 2017/1822
Andrew Dismore
Which embassies and high commissions refuse to pay the congestion charge?
Written response from the Mayor
Transport for London publishes this information in a quarterly report, which is available on the Finance, Operations & Performance pages of its website at:
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/congestion-charge.
Congestion charge [3]
Question No: 2017/1823
Andrew Dismore
What is the total debt owed to London for the congestion charge by embassies, high commissions and their staff?
Written response from the Mayor
Please see my response to MQ 2017/1822.
Congestion charge [4]
Question No: 2017/1824
Andrew Dismore
What progress is being made by the Foreign Secretary in instituting proceedings at the International Court of Justice to clarify the law regarding diplomatic immunity in order to force recalcitrant governments to pay the congestion charge?
Written response from the Mayor
TfL has always been clear that the Congestion Charge is a charge for a service and not a tax. This means that foreign diplomats are not exempt from paying it.
TfL continues to pursue all unpaid Congestion Charge fees and related penalty charge notices and, in October 2016, wrote to the Foreign Secretary to ask him to take up the matter with the relevant embassies and the International Court of Justice.
Parking and traffic tickets (1)
Question No: 2017/1825
Andrew Dismore
Do any embassies and high commissions pay TfL parking and traffic tickets regularly; and if so which ones?
Written response from the Mayor
TfL may issue penalties to diplomatic missions and international organisations in the United Kingdom for red route parking and traffic contraventions.
The attached table in Appendix 1825 lists the embassies that have received penalties from TfL for contraventions in 2016 and details of which have paid some, all, or none of their penalties.
Parking and traffic tickets (2)
Question No: 2017/1826
Andrew Dismore
Which embassies and high commissions refuse to pay TfL parking and traffic tickets?
Written response from the Mayor
Every year the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs makes a Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) to Parliament listing diplomatic missions and international organisations in the United Kingdom with unpaid parking fines over £1,000.
TfL, together with the City of London and the London Boroughs, provides details of all unpaid penalties incurred by diplomats annually to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for the purposes of the WMS. The FCO writes to the relevant embassies requesting payment and reminding them of their obligations under international law to pay such fines and accrued debts.
The most recent WMS, listing fines incurred in London in 2015, was made in July 2016:
The attached table in Appendix 1826 lists the embassies that were issued parking and traffic penalties from TfL in 2016 and have outstanding penalties over £1,000.
TfL parking and traffic tickets (3)
Question No: 2017/1827
Andrew Dismore
What is the total debt owed to London for TfL parking and traffic tickets by embassies, high commissions and their staff?
Written response from the Mayor
For parking and traffic penalties issued by TfL for contraventions in 2016, the amount outstanding at 3 February 2017 was £33,172.
Please also refer to my response to MQ 2017/1826.
T charge
Question No: 2017/1828
Andrew Dismore
Have Embassies and High Commissions a) been notified of the forthcoming T charge ; and b) agreed that they and their diplomatic staff should pay the T charge when introduced; c) if not why not; and d) if any have indicated they will not pay, which are they?
Written response from the Mayor
No specific communication has been made to embassies or High Commissions regarding the T-charge.
A5 bus routes
Question No: 2017/1830
Andrew Dismore
TfL has decided to cut/shorten various of our bus routes especially on the A5 in spite of overwhelming opposition to all parts of their proposals and as the curtailment of the 189 leaves no step-free access to Oxford Street east of Selfridges for passengers from there thus denying access to Oxford Street to the less mobile, and with no bus going east of the main A5 from Cricklewood/Kilburn, what reassurances can you give to passengers so inconvenienced?
Written response from the Mayor
The changes to bus route 189 are part of a wider set of changes in this area to ensure the bus network adapts to changing patterns of demand, including from large scale rail upgrades. For people north of Kilburn on the A5, at many of the stops on route 189 it is possible to interchange with route 139 for direct access to Oxford Circus. It is also possible to make this journey by using route 16 to the Edgware Road area and changing to route 98.Thanks to the introduction of my Hopper fare, passengers are able to make this interchange for free within an hour.
As you will also know, I am absolutely committed to the transformation of Oxford Street. TfL and Westminster City Council are working on proposals to transform the district, by significantly reducing traffic volumes. Considering the needs of all London’s residents and visitors, including those with reduced mobility, is an essential part of this. An Equalities Impact Assessment will be commissioned to assist with the development of the proposals and TfL and Westminster City Council are engaging with accessibility organisations. I encourage you to participate in the consultation process for this transformative scheme.
