MQT late answers Feb 19
Question No: 2018/5316
Andrew Dismore
My understanding is that the earliest driver training could start for this line is in mid-January. Due to further faults causing several pauses in testing, mileage accumulation has only just started again on new trains and it will be probably be the new year before the first units could be delivered to Transport for London (TfL) for operation, as per the contract to Arriva Rail London.
As the best agreement TfL could strike with West Midlands Trains is the phased return of the six remaining diesel trains between January and March, there will still be a gap before the electric trains can take over the Gospel oak to Barking Line service, requiring bus substitution. At the moment, it seems that the earliest the electric trains could take over the service is mid March. Is this correct, and if so is it an acceptable outcome to you?
Answer for Gospel Oak to Barking Line
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
Gospel Oak to Barking Line
The Mayor
Last updated: 13 February, 2019
I completely agree that passengers on the route have had to endure a poor service for far too long, and I share their frustration at the ongoing delays to the new trains. On behalf of Londoners, I have personally spoken to the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bombardier to ensure all possible effort is being made to fix the problems.
Transport for London (TfL) is working very hard with all parties to bring the new trains into passenger service as soon as possible and to avoid any further disruption in services to customers. However, it is reliant on the train manufacturer, Bombardier Transportation, fixing the software issues and getting the necessary regulatory approvals to operate the new trains.
TfL has introduced a contingency measure which has seen electric services begin on the line using modified, existing rolling stock.
Question No: 2018/5333
Andrew Dismore
The Government’s update to fire safety regulations to give councils the powers to remove ACM cladding from privately owned high-rises and recharge the cost is welcome; how many tower blocks in London are affected?
Answer for fire safety regulations
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
fire safety regulations
The Mayor
Last updated: 13 February, 2019
According to the Government’s data, 272 private buildings with unsafe ACM cladding have been identified in England, of which around half are in London.
Under the Housing Act 2004, local authorities have always had the power to undertake works in default and recharge the owner. Local authorities have been reluctant to use such powers because of a lack of clarity on how they relate to cladding.
The Government has been aware of this issue for more than a year, and finally addressed it with a long-overdue addendum issued at the end of November. However, the Government must now fulfil its commitment to establish a Joint Inspection Team and provide additional funding to ensure councils are in a position to take all necessary action.
Question No: 2019/0349
Andrew Dismore
How prepared are the Metropolitan Police, working with airport management, to deal with the misuse of drones obstructing the operation of airports in London?
Answer for Misuse of drones [1]
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 January, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Misuse of drones [1]
The Mayor
Last updated: 13 February, 2019
At both airports, Aviation Policing have conducted a vulnerability assessment, in liaison with other agencies, and have an operational plan to deal with drone sightings and misuse. Overall responsibility for counter drone systems rests with the airport operators and both airports have arrangements and plans in place, with which we will continue to operate. Aviation Policing are piloting a specific counter drone system, and the MPS has access to other systems, internally and via external providers, all of which contribute to a coordinated operational plan
Question No: 2019/0350
Andrew Dismore
Have the Metropolitan Police, working with airport management, in considering how to deal with the misuse of drones obstructing the operation of airports in London looked to the use of birds of prey, as in Holland?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-35750816/eagles-trained-to-take-down-drones
Answer for misuse of drones [2]
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 January, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
misuse of drones [2]
The Mayor
Last updated: 13 February, 2019
The MPS has previously looked at this option in some detail, including costs, effectiveness and appropriateness to London situations. Due to a number of perceived limitations, we are not currently pursuing this avenue. Counter drone options are considered by the MPS in liaison with a number of other agencies and in close working with the national policing lead for counter drone matters, DCC Serena Kennedy, Merseyside Police.
Nationals of other EU countries [6]
Question No: 2019/0356
Andrew Dismore
What estimate have you made of the impact of a hard Brexit on the Metropolitan Police‘s ability to recruit a) officers and b) members of staff in who are nationals of other EU countries?
Answer for Nationals of other EU countries [6]
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 January, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Nationals of other EU countries [6]
The Mayor
Last updated: 13 February, 2019
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) do not anticipate any substantial impact on their ability to recruit police Officers and Staff. There are therefore no planned changes to MPS recruitment strategy.
In the case of a hard Brexit, future applicants to the MPS will need to have achieved settled status in the UK and meet the pre-employment requirement of having lived in the UK for 3 years.
Question No: 2019/0362
Andrew Dismore
Your leaflet on the ULEZ suggests that residents living inside the zone will be able to have a discount or exemption. Is this limited only to the current boundaries, or will similar discounts and exemptions apply to residents inside the expanded zone from 2021, bordered by the North and South Circulars?
Answer for ULEZ
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 January, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
ULEZ
The Mayor
Last updated: 13 February, 2019
Residents who are registered for the residents’ Congestion Charge discount will be granted a time-limited grace period. A 100 per cent discount from the Central London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge will apply to their vehicles, which will give them more time to change their vehicle to meet the ULEZ standards. The discount will be available to those who live within the Central London ULEZ and in designated areas next to the boundary where the Congestion Charge residents’ discount applies.
The grace period will apply from 8 April 2019 to 24 October 2021, ending when the Central London ULEZ expands to the North and South Circulars. This discount will only apply while they live within the central London zone and are registered with Transport for London.
There is a clear, pressing, legal and moral obligation to take action to reduce air pollution as soon as possible. Therefore, there will be no grace period for residents when the ULEZ expands to inner London (within the North and South Circulars). Around 72 per cent of respondents were in favour of this proposal when we consulted on the scheme.
The ULEZ expansion takes place over three years after my decision, which I consider sufficient notice for residents.
