Andrew Dismore

240 Bus

Question No: 2018/2213

Andrew Dismore

Metroline (with the permission of Transport for London) has reduced the service of the 240 bus from high-frequency – about every 7 minutes to low-frequency – to about every 14 minutes. As this bus service was a key factor in your approval of the planning application for the former NIMR building Mill Hill, being the only public transport link in an area that is categorised as having the lowest PTAL rating, will you arrange for the high frequency service to be restored?

Written response from the Mayor

From Saturday 7 July 2018, Transport for London (TfL) reduced the frequency of bus route 240, which runs between Golders Green and Edgware via Mill Hill. Buses now run every 15 minutes on Monday to Saturday daytimes. Previously they were every 12 minutes.

This change was to more closely match demand. Between 2016 and 2018, daily usage on route 240 decreased by 7 per cent on Mondays to Fridays and by 3 per cent on Saturdays. TfL’s analysis shows that, at the busiest point of the route, during the busiest part of the day, four buses per hour are sufficient to meet demand.

TfL reviewed the forecast demand for the development at the former National Institute for Medical Research building. They found that there will still be spare capacity on route 240, even at the reduced frequency of four buses per hour.

TfL will continue to keep route 240 under review to ensure that adequate capacity is provided for both current demand and new developments.

 

20MPH speed limits

Question No: 2018/2214

Andrew Dismore

The move towards 20MPH speed limits on Transport for London (TfL) road is welcome; what resources will be available to enforce the lower limits on TfL roads and what resources are available to enforce speed limits in the boroughs who have also introduced 20 MPH limits?

Written response from the Mayor

Lowering speeds is one of the most important things that can be done to make our streets safer. A person is about five times less likely to be fatally injured if hit at 20mph than at 30mph.

Transport for London (TfL) has developed a progressive speed limit policy for its road network, which will see it engaging on 20mph becoming the default speed limit within the central London Congestion Charging zone, as well as in other locations and town centres across London.

For the majority of drivers, a well-designed street environment with an appropriate speed limit will be sufficient for them to comply with the law. Therefore TfL’s implementation of 20mph limits will, where appropriate, be accompanied by a change in the look and feel of the roads. Marketing and education will also be useful tools in increasing compliance.

Another effective measure at regulating speeds and reducing casualties is Intelligent Speed Assistance technology in vehicles. All buses will be fitted with Intelligent Speed Assistance by 2022, which will help to regulate the speeds of all traffic on bus routes.

Where people flout speed limits, the police will continue to enforce the law. Speed enforcement is carried out by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), which carries out speed enforcement on TfL and on borough roads. The MPS enforces all speed limits, including 20mph, where there is a risk to road users from non-compliance. Enforcement is risk based and intelligence led. In 2016, the MPS issued 12,251 tickets for speeding offences in 20mph limits.

Alongside police enforcement, TfL also runs Community Roadwatch, which sees volunteers working with local policing teams to identify speeding vehicles in their communities, including many 20mph roads. Volunteers measure the speeds of vehicles, and those breaking the limit have their details recorded, with drivers receiving a police warning in the post. Community Roadwatch runs in every borough in London, and to date, more than 30,000 warning letters have been sent to speeding drivers as a result of this initiative.

 

Tube noise Mornington Crescent

Question No: 2018/2217

Andrew Dismore

Residents who live near Mornington Crescent tube station are still suffering tube generated noise pollution many months after first complaining of it, and despite remedial works; what will Transport for London do, and when, to eliminate this noise, apparently from the Northern Line Charing Cross branch?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) takes all noise complaints very seriously and in this case has responded by conducting a significant amount of remedial work in the Mornington Crescent area. This has included the installation of resilient track fastenings on the Bank branch which has reduced noise readings by approximately 10dB in most properties. There are some properties where the noise reduction has not been as significant as expected.

As a result, TfL will be extending resilient track fastening on the southbound direction of the Bank branch in September 2018. In addition, TfL will be removing some rail joints on the Charing Cross branch which should further reduce the noise experienced by some residents. TfL aims to complete this work in October 2018. TfL continues to work alongside industry and academia to further understand noise and vibration and to trial new products and solutions.

 

Tube noise

Question No: 2018/2220

Andrew Dismore

How many sites are there and where, with outstanding residents’ complaints about excessive tube noise? In relation to each site, how many complaints are there; and in relation to each site, what is the timescale for remedial measures to take place; and in relation to which sites have Transport for London given up and residents have to grin and bear it?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) is fully committed to tackling Tube Noise and has not “given up” at any location.

 

There are currently 13 Tube Noise ‘hotspots’. These are sites with four or more ongoing complaints. In each case TfL is working to mitigate noise issues.

 

These sites are located as follows:

 

West Finchley to Finchley Central

Closed complaints – 3

Ongoing complaints – 59

Mitigation – Installation of friction modifier (a substance which improves the interaction between the wheel and the rail).

Resolution date – October 2018

 

Warren Street to Oxford Circus

Closed complaints – 15

Ongoing complaints – 13

Mitigation – Track work (including hand grouting) undertaken – follow-up readings taken and analysis ongoing.

Resolution date – September 2018

 

Victoria to Pimlico

Closed complaints – 32

Ongoing complaints – 10

Mitigation – Track work (including work to improve the condition of the sleepers) ongoing. Follow-up readings taken upon completion.

Resolution date – September 2018

 

Kennington Loop

Closed complaints – 8

Ongoing complaints – 9

Mitigation – Continuing to evaluate different options

Resolution date – Ongoing

 

Bethnal Green to Liverpool Street

Closed complaints –18

Ongoing complaints – 8

Mitigation – New rail to be installed

Resolution date – October 2018

 

Highbury & Islington to King’s Cross St. Pancras

Closed complaints – 31

Ongoing complaints – 7

Mitigation – New rail to be installed

Resolution date – December 2018

 

South Wimbledon to Morden

Closed complaints – 10

Ongoing complaints – 7

Mitigation – Resilient track fastenings installed and track work carried out. Further track investigation to be carried out.

Resolution date – November 2018.

 

Walthamstow Central to Blackhorse Road

Closed complaints – 18

Ongoing complaints – 7

Mitigation – Installation of friction modifier.

Resolution date – December 2018

 

Baked Street to Bond Street

Closed complaints – 6

Ongoing complaints – 7

Mitigation – New rail installed. Follow-up readings to be taken shortly.

Resolution date – October 2018

 

Golders Green to Hampstead

Closed complaints – 1

Ongoing complaints – 7

Mitigation – Rail joint removal.

Resolution date – October 2018

 

Wanstead to Leytonstone

Closed complaints –16

Ongoing complaints – 6

Mitigation – New rail and resilient track fastenings installed. Continuing to monitor noise levels.

Resolution date – Ongoing

 

Kennington to Oval

Closed complaints – 2

Ongoing complaints – 5

Mitigation – Evaluating different options.

Resolution date -Ongoing

 

Barbican to Moorgate

Closed complaints – 16

Ongoing complaints – 4

Mitigation – Track renewal.

Resolution date – Ongoing

 

TfL also recently carried out Tube noise related works between Kentish Town and Camden Town, Southfields to Wimbledon Park, Notting Hill Gate to Holland Park, and Camden Town to Euston, which were previously ‘hotspots’.

TfL will continue to examine all feasible means of minimising noise and disturbance to residents. In areas where noise cannot currently be further reduced, TfL will continue to actively work with suppliers and noise experts to innovate and develop new technologies to improve noise levels across the network.

Tube temperatures

Question No: 2018/2221

Andrew Dismore

This summer, passengers on some tube lines experienced temperatures over 30 degrees. Do you have a plan to ensure all carriages will in the future have air conditioning?

Written response from the Mayor

I know that travelling on some tube lines can be very uncomfortable during periods of hot weather, which is why Transport for London (TfL) is investing millions of pounds to make the Tube cooler.

There are currently 192 air-conditioned trains serving 40 per cent of the network, on the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines. As part of the next phase of the Upgrade Programme, passengers will benefit from walk-through fully air-cooled carriages on the Piccadilly, Bakerloo, Central and Waterloo & City lines. The Piccadilly line will be upgraded first, with new trains delivered between 2023 and 2026.

The Victoria, Jubilee and Northern lines were all upgraded more recently, and the trains benefit from regenerative braking, which puts less heat into the tunnels.

In the meantime, Transport for London (TfL) is investing millions of pounds to make the Tube cooler for customers. There are enhanced tunnel ventilation systems on the Victoria, Northern and Jubilee lines. And, on the older parts of the network, which have fewer ventilation shafts, TfL have introduced a range of station cooling systems including large fans and chiller units to pump in cold air.

From next year, the Elizabeth line will open through central London, completely transforming travel across the city with quicker and more comfortable journeys, with the new trains all air conditioned.

From 2022, the Docklands Light Railway will also get new air-conditioned trains.

 

Stirling Corner

Question No: 2018/2226

Andrew Dismore

Could I have an update on plans to improve pedestrian and cyclist crossing at Stirling Corner please?

Written response from the Mayor

In March 2018, Transport for London (TfL) undertook a public consultation on a proposed pedestrian and cyclist crossing at Stirling Corner. TfL is finalising its response to the consultation which is due to be published later this month. This will include a decision on the planned next steps.

Road Safety in Whetstone

Question No: 2018/2227

Andrew Dismore

When will the negotiations between Barnet Council and Transport for London over road safety measures for the Sweets Way development affecting High Road/Friern Barnet Lane be started and completed?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London has been working with the Sweets Way developer to agree a signalised junction design, which Barnet Council now needs to approve.

Based on current progress, Barnet Council expects to approve the design before Christmas and for construction to begin in late spring.

 

Dogs trapped in cars

Question No: 2018/2225

Andrew Dismore

What advice are you giving to those who see dogs left unattended in hot cars?

 

Written response from the Mayor

 

As the owner of a dog it is always concerning to read of incidents where dogs have unnecessarily suffered from having been left in a car in hot weather. I have not offered advice as Mayor on this issue, as animal welfare does not fall under my remit at City Hall, but the media and animal charities have highlighted the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars, even for just a very short amount of time, and it is advice I hope all owners of dogs take heed of

Hampstead Heath Overground station

Question No: 2018/2212

Andrew Dismore

Further to your answer to Question No: 2018/1786 on an ATM at Hampstead Heath Overground station, what assessment have you made of customer demand and what efforts have been made to secure an agreement with the ATM provider?

Written response from the Mayor

Transport for London (TfL) has now contacted their ATM provider who has confirmed that an ATM at this location is not commercially attractive to them. In addition to this, TfL has looked at the possibility of installing a stand-alone ATM at this station with an alternative supplier. Unfortunately, TfL has been told by the supplier that there is insufficient space to install such a machine given the proximity of the ticket gates and due to passenger flows in the area.