a) Introductory Comments (7.40 to 7.45pm)
Joan Hancox, Head of Sustainable Transport for Haringey Council, will introduce the debate, in particular referring to the Council’s Highways Plan for 2011 – 2012
b) Trains and Stations (7.45 to 8.00pm)
· Moorgate to Alexandra Palace: Presentation by Larry Heyman, Integration and Partnership Manager at First Capital Connect
· Proposed Network Rail Maintenance Depot at Coronation Sidings, Hornsey: Written update received from the Council’s Planning Service
· Gospel Oak to Barking: Written Update received from Mark Eaton, London Overground Rail Operations Limited
c) Buses (8.00 to 8.15pm)
· Planning and Commissioning of Bus Services : Written update received from Peter Howarth, Borough Relationship Manager at Transport for London
· Operation of Local Bus Services: An opportunity to ask questions to Bob Pennyfather, Commercial Manager at Arriva London.
d) Panel Debate (8.15 to 8.30pm)
An opportunity for residents to debate the issues raised with the various speakers.
Minutes:
Introductory Comments
Joan Hancox, Head of Sustainable Transport for Haringey Council, advised that the Council lobbied a range of transport providers on transport improvements in the Borough.
An investment plan was being developed for the next financial year that would set out the Council’s priorities in terms of transport improvements. Suggestions made by members of the public at Area Assembly meetings would be taken on board.
Trains and Stations
A presentation was given by Larry Heyman, Integration and Partnership Manager and Alison Drabwell, Senior Station Services Manager of First Capital Connect on issues affecting the immediate and wider north London area.
The Great Northern Route (GNR) formed a key arterial route into London Kings Cross and Moorgate stations and this ran through the following stations in the Borough:
Ø Alexandra Palace
Ø Hornsey
Ø Harringay
Ø Finsbury Park
A key area of concern for local rail users was insufficient capacity and seats for commuters. In order to address this six thousand five hundred additional seats had been added during peak times from 12 December 2010.
An additional service into Moorgate had been added during peak hours in the morning and the number of cars on this service had been doubled from the usual three to six cars. In the evening at peak times two of the services had also been doubled from three to six cars running out of Moorgate station.
The refurbishment of Kings Cross station continued and work to platforms and the main concourse would be complete by the end of January. The work would create additional capacity and ease overcrowding at the station and improve the interchange between the underground system, buses and St Pancras station.
In addition to physical improvements new ticket barriers would be introduced and the public information systems would be modernised. Station staff would also be provided with access to the most up to date information available with respect to departures and arrivals. First Capital Connects website would also be updated to include live departure information and line updates.
Provision for winter weather conditions had been an issue of concern for many residents and the company was putting measures in place to improve preparation for this. This included measures such as contingency timetables and improved de-icing fluid that was capable of working at lower temperatures. In addition employees were being provided with refresher training in winter service management.
The company acknowledged that staff shortages had led to the cancellation of some services during 2010 and in order to address a number of new drivers had been recruited. The first wave of new drivers would be in place by May 2011.
Following the presentation Mr Heyman provided a response to a number of pre submitted questions details of which are attached at Appendix 1.
Buses
A written update on the planning and commissioning of bus services had been received from Peter Howarth, Borough Relationship Manager, for Transport for London (TfL), which is attached at Appendix 2.
In addition Bob Pennyfeather, Commercial Manager for Arriva London, was also present to take questions from local residents.
Questions to the Panel
Set out below is a summary of the questions put to the panel and the responses given:
1. Hornsey Train Maintenance Shed
The New River Residents Association contended that consultation with respect to the proposed maintenance shed at Hornsey had not covered all of the areas affected. Mr Heyman agreed to check with colleagues as to whether there were plans to carry out additional consultation.
2. Access to Harringay Station
Concern was raised with regard to the condition of the bridge at Harringay station. It was noted that the incline was very steep and that adverse weather conditions often led to the bridge becoming very slippery. Mr Heyman noted these concerns and advised that in 2006 there had been a review of access to stations and as part of this stations were identified where step free access should be introduced. This had been determined on the basis of footfall and unfortunately meant that there were stations where there were access issues.
For people who were unable to use their nearest station, due to access or mobility issues there was a travel helpline in place, which operated form 7am until 10pm and arrangements could be made to assist people with in these circumstances. As part of this taxis would be supplied to take people to their nearest accessible station.
Mr Heyman noted that measures to improve the situation such as the addition of grips on steps and better grading of the incline could be looked and he would take this request back to the appropriate officer.
It was clarified that responsibility for maintaining public areas up to the station lay with the Local Authority and the maintenance of the station and the bridge itself was the responsibility of the rail company.
3. W5 Bus Route on Bourne Road, and W3 on Middle Lane
A resident from Bourne Road expressed concern about the narrowness and unsuitability of his street for the W5 bus, telling the meeting that he had witnessed accidents and damage to parked cars on tight corners. In response to concerns raised with respect to the W5 bus route and the inclusion of smaller residential streets within the route the meeting was advised that the route was intended to serve these areas as they were not served by the larger buses.
The resident also referred to congestion relating to the W3 bus route using Middle Lane (close Priory Park and the junction with Birbeck Road), caused by parked cars. Again
The Council’s Sustainable Transport Team agreed to review the suitability of Bourne Road for buses, in discussion with Arriva, and whether parking controls could ease the problems in Middle Lane.
4. Noise and Vibrations from Buses
Concern was expressed with regard to the impact that the vibrations from buses on the 41 and 91 bus routes was having upon houses. It was acknowledged that some engines caused greater vibrations than others and that the buses used on the 41 route using Volvo engines were responsible for the vibrations. Arriva were therefore looking to replace these buses with less troublesome alternatives.
5. Staffing of First Capital Connect Stations
In response to concerns expressed with respect to the manning of First Capital Connect stations during evenings and weekends Mr Heyman advised that staffing levels were stipulated within the contract documentation of operation of the line. However a consultation exercise was currently being undertaken on the longer-term re-franchising of the line and Local Authorities would be consulted on this. He suggested that residents should contact their local Councillor with comments that they wished to feed into this.
6. Clearance of Snow and Gritting on Hornsey High Street
A resident was critical that on the 18 December, when there had been a large amount or snow, for a period no buses were running between Hornsey High Street and Turnpike Lane. Her key concern was the lack of any updated information on the Countdown boards at bus stops. The meeting was advised that in circumstances like those experienced in December, where a significant amount of snow fell in a very short period of time, measures such as gritting became ineffective. Although every effort was made to keep public transport running there were times when this was not possible.
In conclusion the Chair thanked members of the panel for their contributions.