Andrew Dismore

Golders Green underground station

Question No: 2017/2920

Andrew Dismore

Golders Green underground station has lifts from street level to the platform level.

However there is a significant step up from the platform to the carriage.

To board at Golders Green with a wheelchair or mobility scooter requires ramp assistance which takes time and requires station staff. Golders Green could be made step free from carriage to street level by adding 4 platform humps, one for each platform which should be cost effective. This would help wheelchair and mobility scooter users and also people using prams pushchairs and walking sticks as they could avoid the step up. Wil you consider this?

Written response from the Mayor

TfL recognises that providing permanent, independent level access to trains is preferable to providing manual boarding ramps, for the reasons that you outline. It is TfL’s policy to do so where possible – either through platform humps or other changes to the platform or raising the track.  Unfortunately, it is not always feasible to provide level access due to engineering constraints, such as where platforms are very curved.

 

Unfortunately, TfL has determined that the platform structure and the platform curve at Golders Green would leave an unacceptable gap between the platform hump and the train, which is why boarding ramps are still used at this station.

 

TfL has investigated the feasibility of level access for all platforms on the Northern line with step-free stations, stations with step-free interchanges and platforms where trains regularly terminate. As a result, level access has been implemented at all those where it was feasible to do so. This includes Woodside Park, Stockwell, Kennington, Finchley Central, High Barnet, Morden, Edgware, East Finchley, Camden Town, Elephant & Castle and Borough.

 

 

 

Stirling Corner

Question No: 2017/2921

Andrew Dismore

When do you expect to go to consultation on the long promised pedestrian and cycling improvements to the junction?

Written response from the Mayor

Following my response to MQ 2017/1798, further detailed traffic modelling work is now required. Public consultation will follow the completion of this work and is currently planned for early 2018.

 

 

 

Mill Hill circus

Question No: 2017/2922

Andrew Dismore

When do you expect to go to consultation on the long promised improvements to the junction?

Written response from the Mayor

TfL is currently in positive discussions with the London Borough of Barnet about the transfer of required land. Subject to this being resolved, TfL hopes to start public consultation this September.

 

 

 

Step free access: West Hampstead tube

Question No: 2017/2923

Andrew Dismore

What is the present position in responding to local demands for this?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.  

 

 

 

Step free access: Mill Hill East tube

Question No: 2017/2924

Andrew Dismore

What is the present position in responding to local demands for this?

Written response from the Mayor

I am committed to increasing the number of step-free stations across the network to make the Tube more accessible. In December 2016, I announced the creation of a £200m fund to make more than 30 Tube stations step free over the next five years.

 

I am delighted that Mill Hill East station has been confirmed as one of the next stations to benefit from step-free access as part of this programme.

 

The work is scheduled to start in summer 2018 and will be complete by summer 2019, subject to gaining planning consent from the local authority.

 

TfL will make further announcements as the work progresses, and I have asked them to keep you updated on progress.

 

 

 

Regular dental checks [1]

Question No: 2017/2925

Andrew Dismore

London has the lowest rates of dental attendance of all English regions, with 9 out of 10 councils with the lowest proportions of people attending NHS dental services being London boroughs. Will you take action to raise awareness amongst London parents of the importance of regular dental check-ups for children and the fact that they are completely free on the NHS for all under the age of 18?

Written response from the Mayor

Please see my responses to MQ 2017/2926 and MQ 2017/2927 which outlines the action I am taking to promote preventative oral health to London’s children through my Healthy Schools London programme and emerging Healthy Early Years programme.

 

 

 

Regular dental checks [2]

Question No: 2017/2926

Andrew Dismore

According to the British Dental Association, an average 5-year-old eats their weight in sugar every year, which apart from increased obesity risks, results in over 10,000 London children being admitted to hospitals every year to have multiple decayed teeth extracted under a general anaesthetic. Will you make representations to Government to stress the need for more national action to reduce sugar consumption in children, and consider introducing local measures to help people make healthier choices in schools, workplaces, shops, restaurants and cafés?

Written response from the Mayor

As we discussed at MQT last September, the Government’s Child Obesity Action Plan was a missed opportunity to show leadership and ambition in this area – and that extends to taking action on sugar reduction that matches the scale of the problem. This issue is linked to deprivation and my proposed response to tackling child obesity will be set out both in my forthcoming Health Inequalities Strategy and London Food Strategy. City Hall, in partnership with its catering provider OSC, have led the way on introducing a sugar tax on sugary drinks it sells, a fiscal measure now due to be replicated nationally. Currently my Healthy Schools London, Healthy Workplace Charter and emerging Healthy Early Years London programmes help children, young people and employees to make healthier choices. My Healthy Early Years London programme will have a specific outcome measure on oral health. My Healthy Workplace Charter also encourages employers to provide accessible information to employees on healthy eating and offer healthier options at on site catering facilities.

 

 

 

Regular dental checks [3]

Question No: 2017/2927

Andrew Dismore

Public Health England’s new guidance “Health matters: child dental health” published on 14th June points out that that targeted supervised tooth brushing programmes in nurseries and schools provide a return on investment of £3.06 for every £1 spent. Will you work with local councils, schools and nurseries to introduce this simple, effective and cost-saving measure in all nurseries and schools in the areas of London with worst rates of tooth decay?

Written response from the Mayor

I’ll absolutely work with boroughs schools and nurseries to improve oral health although it will be up to them to commission and decide which interventions work best for the needs of their local communities. To support them to achieve this I would encourage all partners to continue to engage with my successful Healthy Schools London programme, which currently works with 28 of London’s Boroughs and over 80% of London’s schools. Further I am currently piloting an extension of Healthy Schools London to Early Years settings, ensuring we cover the full life course of London’s children and young people. I hope partners, in particular Boroughs, continue to choose to invest in these successful programmes, ensuring that our schools and early education settings offer the best possible environments, including oral health advice, so that our children and young people grow to be healthy and happy Londoners.

 

 

 

Barnet Hill traffic light

Question No: 2017/2928

Andrew Dismore

Can TfL retime the pedestrian crossing across Barnet Hill from High Barnet station car park to just south of Milton Avenue in favour of pedestrians. Several years ago this was retimed in favour of vehicles – it used to turn to a red light/green man almost instantly after pressing the button, but now it can take over a minute for the lights to change. This is the main route for pedestrians exiting the station use to try and reach the northbound bus stop on Barnet Hill, which is already a lengthy and hazardous journey, so as well as meaning they have to wait a lot longer and often miss their bus, there is also an increased danger of people running across the road while traffic is still moving.

Written response from the Mayor

Following your request on 20 June, TfL has reviewed the operation of this crossing. Using an enhanced feature of the SCOOT system, when the traffic demand is lower the green man will be able to appear sooner after the push button is pressed. This feature balances pedestrian and vehicle demand more evenly.

 

 

 

70th Anniversary of Independence for India and Pakistan

Question No: 2017/2929

Andrew Dismore

What do you plan to do to commemorate and celebrate the 70th anniversary of independence for India and Pakistan this year in August, given the very large communities from both countries in London?

Written response from the Mayor

Both the Indian and Pakistan High Commissions are delivering a year-long programme of events and activities as part of their 70^th Anniversary commemorations, which my International, Communities and Events team have been engaged in.  For India, 2017 is the UK-India Year of Culture, elements of which will feature in my Diwali Festival in October.

 

I also offered both the Pakistan and Indian High Commissions the use of Trafalgar Square to host a public event as part of their commemorations.  The Pakistan High Commission is considering using Trafalgar Square for an event later in the year, and the Indian High Commission staged an event on Trafalgar Square for International Yoga Day highlighting one of India’s international exports that supports health and wellbeing.

 

 

 

Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King

Question No: 2017/2930

Andrew Dismore

2018 will see the 70th anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, and the 50th of the assassination of Martin Luther King. Do you plan to commemorate these events and celebrate the lives of the two giants of the 20th Century?

Written response from the Mayor

I will instruct my Community Relations team to work with community groups on how London commemorates and remembers these two icons.

 

 

 

Kings Cross fire

Question No: 2017/2931

Andrew Dismore

The thirtieth anniversary of the Kings Cross fire disaster is this October: what plans do you have to commemorate this tragedy?

Written response from the Mayor

18 November 2017 will see the 30th anniversary of the devastating King’s Cross fire where 31 people tragically lost their lives.

 

Transport for London will be commemorating this tragedy with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and the British Transport Police (BTP).

 

The event will include wreath-laying at the station and a service at St. Pancras Church on Euston Road. LFB and BTP Guards of Honour will march between the station and the church. Officials, survivors and families of those who died, as well as serving and retired LFB officers, will be in attendance.

 

 

 

Finchley Memorial Hospital

Question No: 2017/2932

Andrew Dismore

What work has TfL done to examine the viability of extending the 383 bus route to Finchley Memorial Hospital, and what was the outcome of their investigations?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.  

 

 

 

West Hampstead Fire Station Cottages

Question No: 2017/2933

Andrew Dismore

What progress is being made on bringing the cottages behind West Hampstead fire station back into use?

Written response from the Mayor

It was agreed, following the meeting in March between the Chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) and the Deputy Mayor for Housing, that LFEPA would look to develop the cottages behind West Hampstead fire station as a combination of key worker housing and a community space.

 

Work is ongoing and a number of feasibility options are being considering for bringing the cottages back into use. A report on the outcome of this work will be brought to a future meeting of the Resources Committee.

 

 

 

Speaker‘s Corner

Question No: 2017/2934

Andrew Dismore

It has been reported that the Met has banned soap boxes etc from Speaker’s Corner, Hyde Park. Given the traditions and importance of Speaker’s Corner to London and to free speech, will you investigate this and remove the ban?

Written response from the Mayor

Please see my response to oral MQ 2017/2631.

 

 

 

London Fire Brigade’s equipment and personnel resources

Question No: 2017/2936

Andrew Dismore

Do you consider there needs to be a further urgent review of London Fire Brigade’s equipment and personnel resources, in light of the Grenfell Tower fire?

Written response from the Mayor

I have regular meetings with Dany Cotton, the Commissioner of London Fire Brigade, which include discussions about key issues facing the service including resources.  I met her again on 27 June to discuss what extra specialist equipment and support the Fire Service might require to keep the capital safe following the Grenfell Tower fire and following that I wrote to the Home Secretary and requested additional funding.