Updated Written answers, October 2020
Question No: 2020/3053
Andrew Dismore
Have you had any discussions with the Government regarding the scrapping of PHE? If so have you emphasised that this is a kick in the teeth to the economy and provision of jobs in Barnet, given how many employees based in their Colindale centre are local residents?
Answer for Public Health England
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Public Health England
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 November, 2020
I have written to the Secretary of State to express my concern regarding the reorganisation of PHE during the ongoing public health emergency. The new structures will not be in place until spring next year. The full impact and detail of the reorganisation is not yet clear.
I meet weekly with the Regional Director for PHE London and regularly with Baroness Dido Harding, Chair of the new National Institute for Health Protection. I will continue to advocate in all my meetings with PHE leadership, including Baroness Harding, that jobs should be protected.
Question No: 2020/3438
Andrew Dismore
I understand the changes to the 611 bus route have already had a negative impact on students at Bishop Douglass School in East Finchley. At the start of September students were waiting at the bus stop on the North Circular Road to catch the 112 or 232 and yet, 3 buses went past without stopping. They had a sign saying non-school bus. The fourth bus stopped but would only allow 10 students on board.
Christ College children also use this bus stop and the congestion at this bus stop is increasing. They feel this is a safety concern as children are being left to stand by a 3 lane A406 road and their safety is being compromised. To add to this dark nights and bad weather are drawing in, which will further compound this situation.
Will you ensure that there is adequate capacity here, and that these issues are resolved?
611 bus
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 November, 2020
At the start of the academic year (2020/21), route 611 was withdrawn between Stonebridge Park station and East Finchley schools, where it used to provide one bus journey in the morning and afternoon. It has been replaced by extension of route 112 between Brent Cross and North Finchley, which provides six buses per hour (bph) throughout the school day and new links in general for Londoners across north and west London. Also, in the past four years, route 232 has been increased from three to five bph, with an additional journey added at school times.
However, despite the overall frequency increases on this link from four to 12 bph, social distancing capacities introduced to keep customers safe have reduced capacity overall. Furthermore, congestion on the A406 North Circular Road has resulted in delays on route 232.
Surveys have been undertaken at East End Lane, North Circular stops which have identified crowding among Bishop Douglass school pupils. Consequently, when additional bus capacity was identified, two extra afternoon buses were added to route 232 on 29 September, and every other bus is now dedicated to schoolchildren only.
Question No: 2020/3439
Andrew Dismore
Students of Woodhouse College in North Finchley are struggling to access bus services, because even when they show drivers their student passes, they are not being allowed on either school buses or non-school buses. Please can you ensure that they are allowed on as a matter of urgency, and advice is given to drivers.
Woodhouse college
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 November, 2020
Yes. Bus drivers have been advised about letting students board when a bus is not full on this specific part of their route. Enhanced communications about this have been provided by the bus operators serving North Finchley and they are developing robust plans to ensure all students are picked up.
Question No: 2020/3443
Andrew Dismore
When was rail grinding last carried out on tube lines at or near Golders Green; and when will it be next done?
Tube Noise [4]
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 November, 2020
Rail grinding was most recently carried out in this area in August 2020. The rail grinding machine is next due on the Northern line in early 2021. I have asked that Transport for London officers provide you with an update on the programme as soon as it is finalised.
On 21 September 2020 Transport for London (TfL) carried out a track inspection in this area, to gain a greater understanding of the track issues that are causing a disturbance for local residents. TfL is now reviewing any interventions that could reduce noise levels, and I have asked that TfL officers provide you with an update as soon as further information is available.
Question No: 2020/3444
Andrew Dismore
When was rail grinding last carried out on tube lines at or near Warren Street; and when will it be next done?
Tube Noise [5]
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 November, 2020
Rail grinding was most recently carried out in this area in May 2020.
Transport for London (TfL) does not plan to carry out grinding on this section of track when the rail grinding machine is next due on the Victoria line later this year, due to the relatively low levels of rail roughness in this area. TfL will continue to keep this area under review for future interventions.
Question No: 2020/3445
Andrew Dismore
Further to question 2020/3118, you give the cause of noise at Finchley Central as being grinding, but at recent meetings with TfL, I have been told that it was due to the friction modifier being turned off. Which is it?
Tube noise [6]
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 November, 2020
As set out in Mayor’s Question 2020/3118, Transport for London (TfL) carried out rail grinding at Finchley Central in June 2020. As this is a tight curve, train wheels are slowly wearing the rail back into a comfortable equilibrium, which is causing the noise. This is normal and is expected to reduce in time through the passage of trains.
At the September 2020 meeting with TfL to which you refer, London Underground’s Head of Track outlined that while a friction modifier has been installed in the area, TfL has not been able to activate it due to operational issues related to the impact on the braking performance of their fleet.
TfL is continuing to investigate fitting electrical lubricators to the track in this area, which apply lubrication to the track more reliably, which should further help reduce the noise as the rail beds in. I have asked that TfL officers provide you with a further update regarding this work as soon as further information is available.
Question No: 2020/3446
Andrew Dismore
If TfL are no longer seeking funding for Crossrail 2, what will the impact be on HS2 passengers arriving at Euston and needing public transport to move on, bearing in mind overcrowding at Euston tube lines already?
Crossrail 2
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 November, 2020
Crossrail 2 remains a key component of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy and is needed to address the challenges of the increased demand at Euston when HS2 is completed. While TfL’s commitment to supporting the scheme remains unchanged, it is important to be realistic that schemes such as Crossrail 2, which did not have an agreed funding package in place before the pandemic and are at an early stage of development, are less likely to attract Government funding commitments at this moment in time.
Given the impact of coronavirus on demand and the changed timetable for delivery of all the phases of HS2, there is uncertainty as to the timing and scale of the challenges at Euston. In the meantime, Transport for London (TfL) will continue to work with its partners, including the London Borough of Camden, Network Rail and others, to ensure passengers arriving at Euston and continuing their onward journey into London receive the best experience possible.
Question No: 2020/3447
Andrew Dismore
Delancey Street in Regents Park ward, Camden, has been suffering from transport problems for some years now. The current problem is the large number of HGVs using this road as a way to bypass heavy traffic on the Euston Road. The Council are putting a LTO in place to stop rat running on the streets around Delancey, but this will not stop the HGVs. Will you ask TfL to assist the council in implementing this?
Delancey Street NW1
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 November, 2020
Transport for London (TfL) is continuing to closely monitor the impacts of my London Streetspace Plan interventions, both at the scheme location and on the surrounding network. Amendments are being made where necessary, with the decision-making process factoring in safety, congestion, equality and usage.
TfL is also continuing to study wider movement patterns and mode shares, and will continue to work with London boroughs to address concerns on their networks (such as Delancey Street) where appropriate.
Question No: 2020/3448
Andrew Dismore
It is impossible to access Drummond Street when travelling from south to north as the right turn from Hampstead Road is banned and the southern end of North Gower Street is blocked off. Will you ask officers to look into the situation here as a matter of urgency and establish a safe way to allow traffic to access Drummond Street?
Drummond Street
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 November, 2020
High Speed 2 (HS2) is undertaking utility works on North Gower Street, including lowering services such as BT and Virgin Media. The traffic management has also been used to allow arboriculture works. The re-opening of North Gower Street is further complicated by the linked HS2 works to install utilities over Euston Road, which is expected this winter. While these works are ongoing, access to Drummond Street, when travelling from south to north along Hampstead Road, can be made by continuing along Hampstead Road to the gyratory at Mornington Crescent/Harrington Square Gardens and returning southbound, turning left into Drummond Street.
Question No: 2020/3452
Andrew Dismore
As work continues on the Kings Cross Gyratory, will you consider a proposal by local residents to make it a 20 mph zone, as indeed the rest of Camden is? Local residents say this will help make the system safer for pedestrians.
Kings Cross Gyratory
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 November, 2020
Transport for London (TfL) and I are committed to reducing road danger for all residents and visitors to London. TfL has a programme to lower the speed limit by 10mph on over 140km of TLRN over the next four years, subject to funding. This includes the introduction of a 20mph speed limit on A501 Pentonville Road, Penton Rise, Swinton Street and Grays Inn Road, which is consistent with the surrounding local road network in both Camden and Islington and will also support additional safety improvements around the Kings Cross area.
As you will know, TfL is in discussions with Government over the funding support it needs following the impact of coronavirus on its finances. I hope that agreement can be reached soon so that vital projects such as these can restart.
