Andrew Dismore

Question No: 2017/4014

Andrew Dismore

Can you confirm that TfL’s modelling for CS11 takes into account the massively increased impact of HS2 traffic on Albany Street and if so what proposals are there to ensure that this will not result in traffic displacing into residential areas already heavily impacted by HS2 works, such as Regent’s Park Estate?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2017/4015

Andrew Dismore

CS11 will displace 10,000 vehicles per day now using the east side of the Outer Circle and Park Square East. The consultation leaflet states that much of this traffic will divert east of the park, which means the A4201 Albany Street. If just half of this traffic is diverted onto Albany Street it would mean a 40% increase in traffic on this road.  This year HS2 begins two years of roadworks on Albany Street; and next year they will also designate Albany Street and the Regent’s Park Estate roads as diversion routes for long term road closures put in place around the area for the HS2 project. The Regent’s Park Estate is on the east side of Albany Street and it is home to 6,000 people crammed into a quarter sq km. Much of the HS2 diverted traffic is likely to rat run through the estate. On top of all this HS2 will bring an average of 100 construction lorries through the estate every day for the next 5 years. Will you delay the implementation of those parts of CS11 in or around Regent’s Park that will have the effect of contributing to this traffic chaos until this HS2 caused disruption is over?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2017/4016

Andrew Dismore

Can the CS11 project be redesigned so as not to worsen traffic on and around the Regent’s Park Estate through mitigation measures such as:

Signal Controlled Crossing with raised carriageway, by Chester Gate

Speed Camera.

20mph limit.

Coordination with other current development proposals, like HS2.

Alternative options for displaced traffic to prevent rat running through Regents Park Estate.

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2017/4017

Andrew Dismore

Do you  agree that, in order to minimise adverse effects on the future operations of London Zoo, and to reduce the risks to schoolchildren and other pedestrians in and around the route from the London Zoo car park via Albany Street and the Regent’s Park Estate to the HS2 Euston site, every effort must be made to identify an alternative future location for the HS2 lorry holding area currently proposed at the London Zoo car park? Are you aware that the site of the Maria Fidelis school could potentially provide a much better location for the HS2 lorry holding area, and will you  engage with the London Borough of Camden to explore further the viability of this option?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2017/4018

Andrew Dismore

Are you aware of the suggestion made by HS2, that people should keep their windows closed for the next 17 years against the toxic illegal air pollution that they themselves are creating, whilst they carry out their construction work, with HS2 offering to install ventilation, and pollution filters in homes, as a substitute for fresh air. What is your opinion of this proposal and what can you do about it?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2017/4019

Andrew Dismore

A blanket application has been put forward by HS2 to use the whole Transport for London Route Network (the red routes) for HGVs – without numbers, or duration of specific routes required. Do you think this is reasonable or proportionate; and if not what will you do about it?

Written response from the Mayor

While encouraging HS2 to utilise rail as much as possible, TfL  does recognise the importance of the TfL Road Network (TLRN) in facilitating the construction of HS2. However, this must take account of road danger , air quality and road network impacts.

In line with the HS2 Act, HS2 are required to submit lorry route applications to the relevant planning authority for each work site with over 24 movements per day. TfL will work with HS2 and the relevant planning authorities to determine the most appropriate routes for these vehicles.

Question No: 2017/4020

Andrew Dismore

Will you look at proposals from the West London Alliance to reopen the Dudding Hill freight line as an Overground line from Old Oak Common to the new Brent Cross Cricklewood station, which would open HS2 to more residents of North London?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2017/4021

Andrew Dismore

Residents in central London and in particular the West End experience on a daily basis noise nuisance, anti-social behaviour and in some instances illicit activity like drug dealing. However, there is currently no licensing scheme in place for pedicabs and pedicab drivers. What steps can you take to help bring about a licensing scheme; and will you do so?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2017/4022

Andrew Dismore

Go-Ahead London have entered into an arrangement with Metro newspapers to install boxes on some buses on a trial basis, resulting in the luggage compartment being made a lot smaller than usual due to this metal container. Did TfL approve this arrangement; is there any payment to TfL and/or Go Ahead from the Metro; are you aware of some passenger’s concerns over the restricted luggage space, leading to bags ending up in the passenger areas which can be hazardous; and what action do you prose to take about it?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2017/4023

Andrew Dismore

TfL has recently submitted a planning application to Barnet Council for the installation of electric charging points at two sites in the Market Place. Despite there being no decision due for some weeks, on the afternoon of 19th September TfL issued advance parking suspension notices throughout the Market Place in connection with the installation of charging equipment. The suspensions planned for the whole of the north side of the Market Place to be without parking between 21st and 29th September and the entire south side between 25th September and 2nd October. Between 25th and 29th September there will be no parking on either side of the road depriving the entire area of vehicular access and displacing traffic into existing heavily parked residential roads. Disruption for residents who use the Market Place shops will be significant and trade for those small local businesses will be badly affected. Why was no advance warning given to residents or local businesses, or consultation with them; and why are these suspensions taking place before Barnet has made a decision on the planning application?

Written response from the Mayor

The works currently being undertaken are preparatory works for the installation of rapid charge points. Works related to the actual installation of rapid charge points will follow once a planning application has been approved.

To minimise the impact of the works on local business and residents, TfL  only intended to suspend three parking bays on the north side of Market Place. Due to an administrative error with the permit for the works twelve parking bays were indicated as being suspended. TfL has updated their permit accordingly.

TfL will also reschedule works on the south side of Market Place so there is no overlap with the works on the north side of Market Place.

Question No: 2017/4024

Andrew Dismore

Residents have raised with me concerns for road safety especially for pedestrians, about what is a race track on A1 between Henlys Corner and a 40mph sign just south of Market Place. What will you do to make this stretch of the A1 safer?

Written response from the Mayor

TfL has undertaken detailed surveys to assess speed limit compliance along this section of the A1 and later this month will also conduct pedestrian surveys at a number of locations.

Analysis of these results will determine whether there are any key issues with speeding and road danger to pedestrians. TfL expects to have an update before the end of the year on whether there is a case for safety improvements.

Question No: 2017/4025

Andrew Dismore

Whilst it is good to see that the A406 Staples Corner flyover maintenance temporary full closures were completed early, why could this work not have been done in the school holidays when traffic is quieter so as to minimise disruption at this busy junction?

Written response from the Mayor

TfL normally aims to undertake disruptive roadworks during school and public holidays when traffic levels are typically lower. However, this is not the case on the A406 where there is very little difference in traffic volumes during the school holidays.

Following careful consideration TfL decided to undertake the works in September in order to complete them before a number of other planned works and events take place in the coming months.

Question No: 2017/4026

Andrew Dismore

From about 7th August tube noise, which previously was of no concern, has become a serious problem for residents in Belsize Road NW6, next to Swiss Cottage tube station, with every 30 seconds loud rumbling and vibrations and Fridays and Saturdays bringing 24 hour disturbance with the night tube. There have been constant track works/repairs this year, and it seems something has drastically been changed, affecting the soundproofing. Residents have complained to TFL but have had no response back. What is the cause of this sudden change in noise; and what will you urgently do to stop it?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2017/4027

Andrew Dismore

Residents have complained to me about speeding on TfL’s  A1000 High Road in Finchley, between the North Circular and Summers Lane. Short of police being present, what other solutions will you implement?

Written response from the Mayor

The London Borough (LB) of Barnet is the highway authority for the A1000 High Road between the North Circular and Summers Lane. As the highway authority, LB Barnet would be responsible for initiating any road safety schemes at this location.

Question No: 2017/4028

Andrew Dismore

A group called London Palestine Action was putting posters inside the official poster board covers in bus shelters calling for the cancellation of the Tel Aviv in London festival and making no secret of the fact. While it is of course their right to oppose almost anything they want this should be done lawfully. Whilst TfL removed the posters when it was brought to their attention, what action is being taken against those involved in this illegal flyposting activity to deter future flyposting of this nature?

Written response from the Mayor

TfL  is aware of the issue of illegal flyposting and is actively investigating it with JC Decaux, who manage TfL’s advertising estate.  When unauthorised posters are brought to their attention, they are removed promptly.  Members of the public are encouraged to report offending posters to TfL or JC Decaux and to share any information as to who they believe may be responsible for posting them.

In order to take action against those responsible for illegal flyposting, it is necessary to be able to identify the individuals involved and to obtain their names and addresses.  Given the nature of their activities, this is not always straightforward. TfL has reported the issue to the British Transport Police.

Question No: 2017/4041

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No: 2017/3697

As there is inadequate seating for the many elderly or disabled passengers, what access requirements were assessed in awarding the contract for the 13 bus route?

Your response being:

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

Will you now provide a substative reply?

Written response from the Mayor

Please see my response to MQ 2017/3697.

Question No: 2017/4042

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No: 2017/3700

Bus Stop FJ has been temporarily sited outside Mullion Court, 112 Finchley Road. Residents of Mullion Court have now been informed that the bus stop will retained in this location permanently, with no consultation and   against the wishes of the residents.  Will you endeavour to reinstall the bus stop at the original location, or at least not outside 112 Finchley Road?

Your response being:

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

Will you now provide a substative reply?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Question No: 2017/4043

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No: 2017/3701

What criteria do TfL apply when awarding contracts to run bus routes and where are the criteria published?

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

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.