Commissioner’s report

16 March 2021

1 Introduction 3

2 Safety and security 4

3 Restart and recovery 10

4 Improving transport and generating growth 16

5 Healthy Streets 26

6 Crossrail 36

7 Finance 37

Commissioner’s report 2

This paper will be considered in public

1 Introduction

This report provides a review of major As part of this, I am delighted that we issues and developments since the Board have confirmed our five, equally meeting on 3 February 2021. weighted, priorities for the year ahead. These are: Like many others, I was pleased to see the Government publish its plans to gradually • Securing a long-term sustainable ease lockdown over the coming months, financial deal subject to a number of tests. As the • Completing the Northern Line stages unlock, we will still be here for Extension, finishing Crossrail and Londoners to help them see the people opening the Elizabeth line and places they have missed. The first big • Safely supporting and driving milestone will be the return of all school forward London’s post-pandemic children from 8 March and, as before, we recovery and winning back our will do everything to get them back into customers the classroom safely through our • Creating a people-centric vision dedicated school services. and a more diverse and inclusive organisation, informed by and for With restrictions remaining for some our colleagues time, our focus remains on protecting our • Improving London’s air quality and people and our customers and ensuring accelerating decarbonisation services run for those who need them.

We are still in the midst of a global By working together as one team, we will pandemic, and I am deeply saddened that be able to achieve these and help to 87 of our colleagues have now tragically rebuild a brighter future for our passed away from COVID-19. They and organisation and our city. their families are in my thoughts every day as we continue to fight this pandemic Along with the rest of the country, I am and keep London moving through these delighted with the incredible speed at tough times. which the NHS are vaccinating the UK’s

population against coronavirus. Our It is clear that the future of our dedicated staff have worked tirelessly organisation, our city and our world will throughout the pandemic, serving be markedly different to what it once customers and enabling our key workers was. The recent Independent Panel to access much-needed transport Review and Financial Sustainability Plan services. I would like to thank everyone provided us with options and across TfL once again for everything you considerations about how we may move have done and continue to do for London. forward and continue providing a world- class transport service for London. We are, and will continue to be, a cornerstone for London and the UK’s recovery from the pandemic and I am committed to doing everything I can to lead and support our organisation through the next chapter in the Capital’s history.

Commissioner’s Report 3

2 Safety and security

Deaths in service infection and deaths from COVID-19 Our sincere condolences remain with the among London’s bus workers, owing to families and loved ones of the 87 the tragic loss of a number of bus worker colleagues who have sadly passed away colleagues, predominantly drivers. The from COVID-19. Everyone at TfL pays findings of the first phase were published tribute to the vital role they played in our in July 2020 and the recommendations are fight against the pandemic. Our Employee either complete or under way. Assistance Programme is available to all employees and their dependents and The aim of phase two was to understand provides support, guidance and the pattern of infections in bus workers information on a range of topics, including to inform recommendations on any bereavement. As Commissioner, the additional occupational health measures safety of all our staff and customers that should be put in place. All London continues to be my top priority, and I am bus drivers were invited to complete a absolutely committed to doing everything survey that examined their non- in my power to keep you safe on our occupational and occupational risk factors network. for coronavirus and their response to the measures taken by bus operators to Latest advice on shielding reduce their risk. University College On 16 February 2021, the Government London also sought information from bus announced that GPs will start using a new operators on the demographics of their model to help identify people with drivers. multiple risk factors, such as age, medical conditions and body mass index, which The draft report is now in the process of combined make them at higher risk if they being finalised alongside the study’s catch COVID-19. Anyone in this new group recommendations and will be published will be asked to shield until at least 31 shortly. March. Face covering enforcement This new group will be entitled to the Our enforcement officers continue to same support as those classified as enforce the mandatory wearing of face clinically extremely vulnerable. We are coverings on all public transport modes, advising staff in this new group who are unless a passenger is exempt. This work is currently attending work to continue to being supported by our policing partners, do so until they receive a letter or email the British Transport Police and the telling them to shield, in line with Metropolitan Police (MPS) Roads and Government advice. We are committed to Transport Policing Command (RTPC). supporting anyone who needs to shield and continue with our protective Customer compliance remains generally measures to keep those who can stay at very high, particularly during peak travel work safe. times. Customer research shows that 91 per cent of customers say they are always Bus driver deaths from COVID-19 wearing a face covering while using our In May 2020, we commissioned the transport services, six per cent are University College London Institute of wearing it on some journeys, and four per Health Equity to study the pattern of

Commissioner’s report 4 We have an extensive cleaning regime in place

cent are not wearing a face covering at all. take into consideration). Of those 84 Of those not wearing a face covering cases, 65 defendants had their case while using public transport or just on proved in their absence due to not some journeys, more than half claim to responding to the court summons. This have an exemption or valid reason for not resulted in a fine of £660 each. complying. On 4 March 2021, 75 cases were listed in Up until 7 March 2021, our enforcement court, with 11 defendants pleading guilty officers have intervened with 142,473 to the offence of not wearing a face passengers who were not wearing a face covering, resulting in fines ranging from covering or not wearing it correctly. Of £0 (Conditional Discharge) to £300 these, 9,988 were refused travel and 2,394 (amount dependant on the individuals’ Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued. A circumstances, which the court needs to Fixed Penalty Notice starts at £200 for a take into consideration). Of those 75 first offence. A total of 974 of these were cases, 57 defendants had their case paid within 14 days, at a reduced level of proved in their absence due to not £100 for early payment and 52 were paid responding to the court summons. This within 28 days. Where these remain resulted in a fine of £660 each. unpaid, we will pursue offenders through the courts. To help support our messaging, we have ongoing radio advertising and posters On 1 March 2021, 84 cases were listed in across the network to encourage court, with 16 defendants pleading guilty Londoners to wear a face covering at all to the offence of not wearing a face times on public transport unless exempt. covering, resulting in fines ranging from We have also developed new £0 (Conditional Discharge) to £600 communications to target the stubborn (amount dependant on the individuals’ minority who are still not wearing a face circumstances, which the court needs to covering. This includes promoting video

Commissioner’s report 5 content of our enforcement officers Opening windows was proven to stopping people not wearing face sufficiently increase ventilation in a range coverings and reiterating that if you do of scenarios. Following this advice, we not wear one you could be turned away have introduced additional customer from our services or fined up to £6,400. messaging to advise them to leave the The video runs on paid social media and windows open and added instruction predominantly targets 16 to 34-year-old stickers to all windows across the fleet. males, as research and enforcement team This is in addition to limits on passenger feedback tells us this group is least likely numbers and face covering measures, to comply. which are already in place and will also limit potential viral particle build up. In addition to this, we are using Instagram to target 12 to 18-year-old children ahead Additional research and testing is planned of schools restarting. We used trusted with UCL to further understand air quality peer-to-peer voices to help change on our vehicles. Engineering work is now behaviours and persuade young people also in progress to consider potential that wearing a mask on public transport is further risk mitigations and future vehicle the caring and vital thing to do. designs.

Extensive cleaning regime Croydon tram overturning Our extensive anti-viral cleaning regime On 9 November 2016, seven people died continues across the transport network when a tram derailed and overturned on a and includes using hospital-grade cleaning curve as it approached Sandilands substances that kill viruses and bacteria junction in Croydon. The Rail Accident on contact and provide ongoing Investigation Branch (RAIB) conducted an disinfection. The testing by Imperial independent investigation and published College London continues, with sampling its report in December 2017. It included 15 finding no traces of COVID-19 present on recommendations to address safety on our system. More than 1,000 hand London's tram network, as well as other sanitiser units have been installed across networks across the country. All the network for everyone to use and we recommendations have now been have now used 33,885 litres of hand actioned and confirmed as implemented sanitiser. Our cleaning contractors by the ORR. continue to focus on customer touch points, such as card readers, handrails and At the pre-inquest review hearing (PIRH) help points. on 28 January 2021, the Senior Coroner confirmed her commitment to starting University College London VIRAL the Sandilands Inquests on 17 May 2021 for research programme 13 weeks. The provisional timetable was We are working with UCL to better amended and a further witness statement understand how the risk of microbial giving an update on the implementation pathogen transmission can be minimised of the RAIB recommendations as well as on the transport network. the incidents on the tram network that occurred between August and October Initial findings from UCL VIRAL research 2021 will be provided to the Senior project’s sampling on buses in November Coroner on 31 March 2021. 2020 have now been highlighted to us. This work has identified the importance of The sixth and last PIRH prior to the good ventilation in the passenger saloon, Inquests commencing will take place 30 particularly on busier services. The April 2021. The Senior Coroner directed researchers measured CO2 levels to give TfL, Tram Operations Limited (TOL), a an indication of fresh air ventilation, subsidiary of FirstGroup, which operates which was therefore used as a proxy to the tram service, and the Office of Rail the risk of viral transfer from stagnant air. and Road (ORR) to provide further

Commissioner’s report 6 disclosure by 12 March 2021. TfL continues held a day of action that focused on hate to support the Senior Coroner in these crime towards the LGBT+ community, to Inquests and provide relevant coincide with LGBT+ history month. information. Officers used online forums to raise awareness about hate crime and how to The victims and all others affected by this report it, as well as the work we do to incident remain in our thoughts. We tackle it and keep our customers safe. continue to offer support to those directly affected, as well as the wider There were two deeply concerning hate community, and encourage anyone who crime incidents on our network in needs support at this time, or in the February 2021. On 8 February, an older future, to contact the Sarah Hope Line Jewish couple, including a disabled man where help can be provided. on a 253 bus at Manor House were verbally abused for 10 minutes. The police Incidents of note on the tram network have now made an arrest. On 9 February, As mentioned in my update to the Board an 80-year-old Holocaust survivor and her in December, we note with concern that son were verbally abused on a number 76 there have been three operational bus in Stoke Newington by a woman, who incidents across the tram network in a also punched the son in the head and short period of time. These took place on threw his hat to the floor. Police enquiries 5 August 2020, 14 September 2020 and 21 are ongoing regarding this case. October 2020, and all have been reported to the ORR. A full paper and discussion on We categorically do not tolerate any form the incidents was included as part of our of hate crime on our network and will Safety, Sustainability and HR Panel on 10 continue to work with our policing February. partners to identify perpetrators and bring them to justice. While none of these instances resulted in injury or harm to our staff or customers, Work-related violence and aggression they are being taken very seriously. We A year after the launch of our first Work- are in regular dialogue with the ORR with Related Violence and Aggression strategy, regards to jointly working through the we have made excellent progress in many incidents with Tram Operations Limited important areas, despite the financial (TOL), a subsidiary of FirstGroup, who impact and restrictions imposed by the operate the tram service under a 30 year coronavirus pandemic. contract, to ensure no further incidents occur in future and appropriate reporting These include completing the first phase to TfL and the ORR is undertaken. roll out of body-worn cameras, rolling out our new transport support and We continue to work collaboratively with enforcement officers, creating a TOL and the ORR and progress has been workplace violence unit that combines made in a number of areas including the teams in London Underground and preparing a joint statutory reporting Surface Transport, and customer procedure with TOL, reviewing the Risk communications outlining the Model, and work to put in place the Joint consequences of assaulting our people. System Safety Improvement Plan which needs to be submitted to the ORR by 31 While some projects had to be paused, March 2021 . our priority to do more to protect our frontline teams meant the roll out of Tackling hate crime body-worn cameras was given ‘safety We stand together with our police critical’ status, enabling the work to partners and communities across London continue. All surface sites in this phase against hate crime on our network. On 17 are complete, and more than 210 February 2021, officers from the RTPC Underground stations already have the

Commissioner’s report 7 full complement of cameras on site, with the remaining stations due to be Between 3-9 February, 730 traffic offence completed by 31 March 2021. When this reports were issued for behaviours such phase is complete, around 6,000 as speeding (173), no insurance (86) and colleagues will have access to a body- driving without a seatbelt (21). In addition, worn camera while they are on duty. We 79 arrests were made, and 89 vehicles are also assessing the possible roll out of were seized. body-worn cameras to other frontline colleagues. Tackling speeding on the Capital’s roads remains a top priority. In the first week of Despite the restrictions of social February, the RTPC issued 357 traffic distancing, we have recruited and trained offence reports for speeding. The 33 new transport support and Command has also continued to respond enforcement officers, with a further 22 to speeding concerns on borough roads as due to complete training by the end of part of our work to support boroughs in March. These officers provide a highly tackling excessive speeds. Between 3 visible and reassuring presence on our February and 4 March, 189 traffic offence network, tackling the triggers of work- reports were issued for speeding offences related violence and aggression and on borough roads. dealing with anti-social behaviour through engagement and enforcement. They also Between 21-27 February, the RTPC ran an enforce our byelaws, health regulations operation to tackle mobile phone use and other offences using a variety of while driving in support of the National powers. We will be continuing with our Police Chiefs’ Council mobile phone plans to recruit more officers over the campaign. This resulted in 436 traffic coming year. offence reports being issued for mobile phone usage and an additional 116 reports While developing the Work-Related for dangerous or careless driving. Violence and Aggression strategy, frontline teams told us they wanted more Bus Safety Standard communication to show customers the We now have 445 buses that meet the consequences of assaulting them. We are first generation of the Bus Safety Standard now in the process of creating a multi- and from late 2021, new vehicles will start channel campaign, which will launch later meeting the next generation. The tighter this year. second generation requires new buses to have camera monitoring systems in place Police activity to support Vision Zero of side mirrors, offering a wider field of Together with the MPS, we continue to view and clearer visibility in low light. It support the Mayor’s Vision Zero target to also includes toggling to help drivers eliminate all deaths and serious injuries identify the brake pedal and its relative on London’s roads by 2041, with a range of position from their feet. There will be initiatives to make our roads safer. new safeguards to the brake system to prevent buses rolling away without a In the first week of February 2021, officers driver in the cab and enhancements to the were deployed to the A10, A11, A214, A235, interiors to reduce the risks of passenger A24, A314, A4180/Ruislip Road to crack injuries. These changes will help us down on key causes of road danger, such eliminate all deaths and serious injuries as speeding and using a mobile phone from London’s roads by 2041. while driving. The campaign saw 86 traffic offence reports issued, and 13 cars were Of the 445 buses that meet the first seized for dangerous behaviours such as generation of the safety standard, 305 are speeding, drink or drug driving, no equipped with the Acoustic Vehicle insurance and driving without a seatbelt. Alerting System (AVAS) to alert vulnerable road users to much quieter buses, such as

Commissioner’s report 8 pure electric vehicles, which would intervene in the appeal. Pending the otherwise be virtually silent in busy outcome of the appeal, Ola may continue traffic. Our AVAS system will to operate, and we will closely scrutinise automatically adjust its volume to be Ola and its compliance with the heard over noisier shopping centres and conditions attached to its licence for the be less intrusive in quieter suburban duration of any appeals process. districts. The new technologies are part of a concerted campaign to get closer to our Ola has also been charged with 21 Vision Zero target. offences for failing to comply with statutory record keeping obligations, Preventing slips, trips and falls allowing drivers in charge of a private hire Work continues to reduce customer slips, vehicle without a private hire driver’s trips, and falls on buses. While these licence and causing or permitting drivers incidents are not a new occurrence, they to use a private hire vehicle on a public have become more frequent since the road without the required motor vehicle start of the pandemic, relative to the insurance. Summonses have been issued number of people travelling. and the first hearing took place on 9 March. In the short term, we are trialling posters on stairways and new announcements to encourage passengers to hold on to rails and poles inside the buses. We have also reissued guidance to drivers on allowing customers ample time to settle on board following calls at bus stops.

A longer-term strategy is being developed to identify further action and will consider vehicle improvements, such as to flooring and lighting, and outcomes from predictive technology being trialled that warns a driver of hazards to help ensure they have enough time to brake smoothly. We are also reviewing research, evidence and best practice from other transport authorities.

Taxi operator compliance On 3 October 2020, Ola UK Private Limited (Ola) was notified that it would not be granted a new London private hire vehicle operator’s licence at the expiry of its licence on 3 October 2020. We concluded that Ola was not fit and proper to hold such a licence after discovering a number of failures that could have risked public safety.

On 20 October 2020, Ola appealed our decision. The case management hearing will take place between 8 and 9 March 2021. The App Drivers and Couriers Union has indicated its intention to apply to

Commissioner’s report 9

3 Restart and recovery

School restart Managing demand on our services Following the Government’s With the UK under lockdown since 4 announcement on 22 February that January, the Government’s guidance schools would return on 8 March, we have makes it clear that everyone must stay at been working hard to prepare for the home wherever possible unless there’s a reintroduction of our enhanced school bus legally permitted reason to travel. services. For those who need to travel for legally We are reintroducing similar measures to permitted reasons, we are working hard to those we put in place during the autumn keep services running. We are running as term. These include providing hundreds of near to a full service as possible to help extra buses, reintroducing the signed those who do need to travel to maintain ‘School Service’ buses, and encouraging social distancing. The Waterloo & City line walking and cycling where possible. These and Night Tube remain closed due to measures will help ensure children can limited customer demand and staff travel to school safely, and on time - with availability. free travel for children and young people still in place. Our extensive efforts to We are closely monitoring COVID-19 reduce the risk of infection on the network related absences and any implications are also continuing, including the these may have for our operations, with enhanced cleaning regime deployed at the mitigations in place where possible. Those start of the pandemic and the who must travel can take simple steps to enforcement of face coverings. do so safely, such as using our travel tools to plan for the quiet times and routes. We have developed pan-London and targeted communications to support the Weekday demand on the Tube has risen to reintroduction of our enhanced school around 17 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. buses and highlight that children could This compares to around five per cent in travel to school safely on our services. the first lockdown, and around 25 per cent This has included engaging with more than in the second lockdown. 3,000 schools, London’s boroughs and the Government to prepare for the increased A key part of our Travel Demand demand on the transport network, where Management strategy has been identifying capacity remains reduced because of and communicating hotspots, as well as social distancing. Schools are also being busy and quiet times. We review data and asked to stagger start and end times to operational intelligence on hotspot help manage demand on services. The locations and times on a weekly basis, latest advice and resources for schools to adapting our communications and encourage safe and sustainable school outputs, including updating our website. travel can be found on our dedicated We use data from across the business to webpage, and we continue to support identify where journeys start and end, and borough delivery of School Streets. A the interchanges and lines used. We issued campaign will run across London on radio, specific customer and stakeholder outdoor and digital advertising to advise messaging to address crowding at Canning children to walk or cycle to school and Town and West Ham Tube stations, remind them of the School Services. including bespoke quiet times and high-

Commissioner’s report 10 level advice on using other routes and seven major vaccination centres. A suite of modes, to ease pressure at these hotspot information has been developed including locations. walking maps, station posters, bespoke way-finding signage in stations, PA We have overlaid journey data with site announcements and a dedicated page on location data from Build UK, which has our website. confirmed operational observations relating to the localised intermittent Targeted customer information has been crowding at Canning Town, West Ham and delivered to provide our customers with Vauxhall stations, as well as travel by the advice if they are using stations that are construction sector’s workforce. We are busier during the morning peak. A new using data to target simple action- suite of whiteboard posters has been orientated messaging for the construction developed advising customers to travel sector. We continue to work with the during quieter times, along with new PA sector to encourage staggered operating announcements to remind people about and shift times, including closer these times. A targeted email was sent to engagement with sites in the Vauxhall area around 80,000 customers who used these where many journeys travel through stations in the morning peak to encourage Canning Town and West Ham stations. them to use our travel tools to find more information on the quieter times to travel. We continue to monitor journey data alongside other drivers of demand, such as COVID-19 testing of TfL staff vaccination and testing centres, and supply As reported previously, we have set up a issues, including staff shortages, service number of rapid testing sites at Pier Walk, reliability and bad weather. Using this data, Kings Cross and Palestra, with more to we are exploring potential alternative follow, to enable regular asymptomatic interchange locations to provide COVID-19 testing for staff. To date, we customers with more specific advice on have tested over 3,400 staff with the using other routes or modes. The outcome number testing positive at less than 0.8 of this will determine further activity per cent. In addition, we are running a pilot through customer channels. to deliver daily contact testing to staff in the NMCC to help reduce absence rates by Responding to winter weather enabling regular testing as an alternative One of our focuses over recent weeks has to self-isolation under the terms of the been on ensuring our network has been pilot. We tested more than 20 people in ready for severe weather. In the first week the first three weeks, and we continue to of February, we activated our Weather discuss ways to expand this facility to Plan for Snow/Ice. Proactive planning and other control centres. mitigation took place, including gritting our roads, strategic bus routes, Tube and Our Compliance, Policing and On-Street railway platforms, access to bus stations Service team also started asymptomatic and garages, Cycleways and around testing on 8 February, to further mitigate vaccination sites. All areas in Surface were and reduce risk to staff by identifying involved in the planning to ensure they those who are positive but not presenting were prepared, and this was coordinated symptoms, based on the learnings and through the Network Management plan designed by NMCC. Control Centre (NMCC). Engagement with businesses Vaccination rollout Our engagement with London’s business We have been working closely with community has continued as we look operational teams and the NHS to support ahead to support the Capital’s emergence the rollout of the NHS’s public COVID-19 from the pandemic. On 24 February, I vaccination programme and provide travel joined the Central London Alliance to advice for people travelling to London’s discuss London’s recovery from

Commissioner’s report 11 coronavirus and I had similar meetings impact on the immune system. The Sleep with the Confederation of British Industry Health Assessment tool, which was on 23 February. recently made available to staff, has provided people with a personalised sleep The monthly Business Organisation report, which provides tips and guidance Working Group and quarterly Business on how to improve sleep. Advisory Group continue to offer us excellent insight into the priorities of To further support those who have London’s business community. I also completed the assessment and help those continued my wide-ranging discussions who are concerned about their sleep, the with businesses themselves and hosted a Mental Health team is offering a series of session with London First members. Sleep Clinics, which last for 45-minutes The team continued to run our and provide one-to-one support from a Streetspace Advisory Group, Youth Panel counsellor. The counsellor will discuss and Accessibility Forum offering feedback sleep habits and difficulties and help come and understanding of our work and how up with different options and techniques we can shape it for the better in future. In to improve the quality of sleep. addition, the team continues its regular engagement with stakeholders, such as Time to Talk day Transport for All, London TravelWatch, The 4 February was national Time to Talk London Cycling Campaign and the Central Day. This annual event seeks to raise London Alliance. awareness of mental health, get people talking about it and ultimately begin to Central Activities Zone research break down any stigma still attached to it. Research to understand the implications Our network of volunteer peer supporters, of the pandemic and the recovery of the including Health & Wellbeing Champions, Central Activities Zone (CAZ) is progressing the Supporting Colleagues Network, well. Arup, Gerald Eve and the London Trauma Support volunteers and Time to School of Economics were appointed by Change agents, really got behind the event the Mayor to carry out this research, have and the result was a wide range of activity jointly prepared an interim report that was catering for both operational staff and published in early February. This report is colleagues who are working from home. the first stage of work that looks at the baseline of the CAZ, with an emphasis on Within our Safety, Health and Environment office trends, interdependencies within it, team, for example, there was a full and the interaction of the CAZ with the programme of events, including talks on rest of London and the UK. City Planning is showing kindness, seasonal affective fully involved in this study and have disorder, healthy eating and on providing submitted evidence to the consultants and ways to support your own mental health are represented on the steering group. and improve resilience. Operational staff organised local events, including sharing The second stage of this research will personal stories and discussions. There build three scenarios, which will test the was also a Tea and Talk session, which was scale of the economic impact of the CAZ open to all colleagues and a meditation over the medium- and long-term cycles session to help calm the mind. and provide recommendations to support a strong recovery. Once this work is Women’s Health complete, a final report is expected to be In March, our focus is on supporting the published in the spring. health of women, including virtual talks from subject matter experts on breast Supporting our employees cancer, strengthening the pelvic floor and Sleep Clinics menopause. We are also providing Fatigue and poor sleep can lead to health and safety risks and can have a negative

Commissioner’s report 12 We once again supported National Apprenticeship Week which ran from 8 – 14 February

information and resources on conditions on London’s response to the pandemic. such as ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and This initiative gives those nominated for endometriosis. the existing Make a Difference award the chance to be nominated for the special Coronavirus pandemic Resourcing award. Recovery With demand for our services fluctuating The recipients of the awards are decided during 2020 and the start of 2021, so too by diverse business panels, which include has demand for our people resources. representatives from different levels of While we were able to utilise the the organisation to ensure it truly Government Job Support Scheme last represent our workforce. The first panels year, we are reimagining our resourcing to took place at the end of January 2021, with ensure we have the right people in the 40 individual and 14 team awards being right places at the right time and can be as awarded. From its launch at the end agile as possible. We have established a November 2020 to mid-February 2021, TfL-wide resourcing group, which is there have been 250 individual working to ensure all resourcing policies, nominations and 30 team nominations. procedures and systems support any new These nominations will continue to be ways of working that are created as part of reviewed by panels across our business the coronavirus recovery. areas.

COVID-19 Special Recognition Awards We have also fully integrated and Scheme synchronised this special recognition In November 2020, we launched the scheme with our Thank You campaign to COVID-19 recognition scheme, with a all staff, which uses various internal and special award to specifically recognise external media to celebrate the those who have made exceptional contribution our staff have made to contributions that had a significant impact London. Internally, this recognises that

Commissioner’s report 13 everyone has played their part, including series of virtual events for potential those on furlough, and includes a thank candidates, parents, carers and teachers, you video from me. There will also be with 370 attendees. special edition On the Move and Upfront magazines showcasing employees’ These virtual sessions took place in the different contributions to our organisation morning, afternoon and evening to and the surrounding communities increase accessibility for participants, with throughout the pandemic. An additional events continuing for a further three Upfront magazine for Professional weeks. For many potential candidates, the Services will also be produced. This is virtual format has enabled a less planned to include a thank you letter from pressurised environment and we found the Mayor, as well as myself. Magazines many more questions were raised via the will be sent to employees’ home online chat function than we would see at addresses in April. equivalent face-to-face events.

Graduate and Apprenticeship roles We also took part in the 2021 Virtual launched Supply Chain Apprenticeship Fair, led by On 22 February 2021, we went live with 114 our Procurement and Supply Chain vacancies for our graduate and Level 4-6 colleagues. More than 100 potential apprenticeship roles, ready for intake in candidates met Engineering, Quantity September 2021. Following the pause and Surveying and Project Management subsequent change of requirements for apprentices who presented their the graduate and apprentice assessment experience and the benefits of centres in 2020, the Skills and Employment apprenticeships. The apprentices helped team will continue with its redesigned, dispel myths and gave a first-hand insight virtual approach to assessment this year if into careers in disciplines that candidates required. The team did an excellent job in may not have considered, or previously 2020 to ensure that the change from face- been aware of. to-face assessment to virtual did not create barriers to entry or The team and apprentices also supported disproportionately impact different a number of targeted school and borough groups. events to help increase the diversity of our next intake and engage the communities We introduced virtual TfL events for the we serve. first time to promote our graduate schemes, rather than join campus-based Welcoming back our Steps into Work and university-led events. Three specific students events took place covering Engineering, The economic impact of coronavirus Technology and Professional Services. means that groups who already faced These were also promoted to our barriers into employment are at risk of operational colleagues, recognising the being further away from work. Our Skills talent and potential we have internally. and Employment team prioritised restarting Steps into Work, our 12-month In addition, the switch by universities to training programme for those with virtual careers events this year has learning disabilities and/or on the autistic enabled us to target a wider range of spectrum. universities with higher numbers of underrepresented groups inside and Following staggered start dates in March, outside of London. the redesigned programme saw 16 students restart virtual work placements National Apprenticeship Week 2021 with the business for the first time. Their The 8 February marked the beginning of physical placements were paused as result National Apprenticeship Week 2021. The of the pandemic and we are delighted to Skills and Employment team organised a see the students virtually return.

Commissioner’s report 14

TfL anti-racism charter Following the listening sessions, leaders In February, as part of our commitment to will feedback the key themes and issues to fighting racism in all its forms, we their teams. Leaders will be check in to see launched our anti-racism leadership if these themes are correct, and if so, charter, which has been endorsed and provide opportunities for employees to signed by members of the Executive suggest actions and solutions, taking a Committee. The charter sets out the steps consultative approach. Following this, we can take as leaders to support our leaders will work with the Diversity and organisation in being an anti-racist Inclusion and HR teams to create and organisation. In signing up to the five deliver local race equality action plans, commitments in the charter and our anti- which will help improve workplace race racism manifesto, we are demonstrating equality. our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and are taking collective action There is still some way to go and we must to address the inequalities that exist. all continue to take action to become truly inclusive and diverse at every level. The Following the endorsement and sign-off signing of the charter is just the beginning from our Executive Committee, the of this shift in culture. charter has been shared across a range of internal channels to help promote it LGBT+ History Month across the organisation. Our Diversity & Throughout the month of February, we Inclusion team will continue to work with celebrated LGBT+ History Month. The a range of stakeholders to implement and theme for 2021 in the UK was Body, Mind, embed the charter into our everyday ways Spirit. Although events had to be scaled of working, to ensure it is viewed on the back this year due to the pandemic, the same level of importance as our other OUTbound Staff Network Group priorities, such as safety. Colleagues have organised and coordinated a wide range of been encouraged to read the charter and virtual events for colleagues. These ranged discuss how their teams can support the from informative sessions to discuss commitments and get involved in actions. topics such as mental health and disclosure, as well as social events We are already taking action, such as including ‘social chat’ sessions and a light- introducing anonymous CVs and hearted game of Bingo with the developing diversity and inclusion plans in OUTbound group many departments. Our diversity and inclusion listening sessions, which started last year, are ongoing, with a key commitment of the charter being for leaders to take time to listen, acknowledge, understand and empathise with our colleagues’ experiences of racism.

These listening engagement sessions provide a safe space for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic colleagues to share their experiences of how their race has impacted their lives. Leaders will commit to appointing a dedicated diversity and inclusion workstream lead, who will be responsible for delivering the action plans, and leaders will report on progress and barriers to a newly formed race equality board.

Commissioner’s report 15

4 Improving transport and generating growth

Northern Line Extension network for east London, with plans for The Northern Line Extension project up to 37 buses per hour in each direction, includes a twin-tunnelled extension from all of which are expected to be zero Kennington station to a new terminus at emission from launch. The tunnel will Battersea Power Station, via a new station connect Silvertown and the Greenwich at Nine Elms. The project is scheduled for Peninsula, and support significant planned completion this autumn. redevelopment in the coming years, aiding London’s recovery. At Battersea, the architecture and finishes to the eastern entrance to the station We have now served temporary continue, as do tiling and the installation possession notices and taken possession of mechanical equipment. Gateline and of land from several tenants to facilitate ticketing equipment has been delivered to handover of 32 sites to date to our Battersea and await installation. contractor, Riverlinx. Three continuous air- quality monitoring stations have been At Nine Elms, we are installing the flooring installed near the new tunnel’s portals, and providing the assets for the gateline two of which have been commissioned assistance point. Skirting and tiling works with one more to follow. A further 29 are in the final stages of completion. nitrogen dioxide diffusion tubes are monitoring air quality in the boroughs of Hard landscaping continues at both Greenwich, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Kennington Park and Kennington Green. Southwark and Lewisham. Ventilation, firestopping, stair pressurisation and various snagging works Following conclusion of the ground continue. Following the successful testing investigation and surveys, utility works are and commissioning of tunnel ventilation progressing on cabling and diversions to fans at Kennington Park in December, they enable the power supply for the tunnel have now been commissioned at boring machine (TBM). Site works continue Kennington Green. Testing of circuits and in both Greenwich and Silvertown, electrical submains is ongoing across all including where the launch chamber for sites. Distribution board energisation the TBM will be constructed, with activities are also progressing. The project demolition and clearance of existing is focused on works to support the start buildings, guide wall construction and of trial operations in June. extraction of existing piles. Construction of the launch chamber has begun, with Silvertown Tunnel more than 15 per cent of the total number The new twin-bore tunnel, within the of piles required for the chamber now in extended Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), place. will effectively eliminate congestion and improve air quality around the Blackwall Our procurement planning for the TBM is Tunnel approach, with no increase in progressing well and sample testing of carbon emissions. It will also provide a tunnel lining segments is also under way, transformative new cross-river bus with fire resistance tests with potential

Commissioner’s report 16 suppliers having started and expected to Following the disruption and re-planning run through to May. required as a result of the pandemic, the delivery programme has now stabilised, Barking Riverside Extension and we are working with Network Rail to We are delivering a new rail link that will confirm the additional possessions needed unlock and support 10,800 new homes to complete the works. Our most likely planned for the Barking Riverside start of service remains autumn 2022. development area. We will build a spur on the London Overground east of Barking to Bank station extend the Gospel Oak to Barking service We are boosting capacity at Bank station to a new station at Barking Riverside. The by 40 per cent. This includes creating a extension is around 4.5km from Barking new Northern line tunnel, platform and station. It includes modifications to the circulation spaces, a new entrance on existing Network Rail infrastructure and Cannon Street, the introduction of step- new lines running on a viaduct of around free access to the Northern line, additional 1.5km. A four-carriage London Overground interchange between the DLR platforms, service running at 15-minute intervals is and two new moving walkways between planned. the Central and Northern lines.

Construction of a ramp and viaduct is We have awarded all the main taking place north of Choats Road, linking subcontracts for fitout work and they to existing Network Rail infrastructure. To continue to progress. Having completed the south of Choats Road, the viaduct runs the installation of new power supplies to through the Barking Riverside the new entrance building, the focus now development to the terminus station near turns to the installation of cable the Thames. Ramp and viaduct piling management systems and cabling for the activities have been completed and the electrical distribution system that will final pier walls, at Piers 13 and 14 where the feed the many services and systems north and south viaducts will meet, were necessary to safely operate and maintain poured in December. The final deck span the new station and tunnel areas. over Choats Road will be lifted and installed in April 2021. Concrete works on The telecommunications subcontractor the south viaduct were completed in has begun works. This is the last main December 2020 and works to install the subcontract to start work onsite and will drainage and fit handrails are progressing. be critical in preparations for the On the north viaduct, works are ongoing temporary closure of the Northern line to finish the ramp, complete installation Bank branch. of the last deck spans and pour the remaining deck slabs. Planning for the temporary closure of the Northern line Bank branch and some At the new station, we have completed associated Northern line stations the main roof and platform canopy continues. A new tunnel connecting the cladding and glazing and have started to new and existing Northern line install the mechanical and electrical southbound running tunnels has been equipment, including the permanent excavated to enable early delivery of rail power supply to the station. Following the for the new track installation. Preparations completion of a major signalling stage over for work on the installation of the track New Year, there have been several bed have begun. successful weekend possessions to deliver further track, signalling, telecoms and Bakerloo Line Extension overhead line works. Design for the final On 1 March 2021, the Secretary of State for signalling stages is also progressing on Transport issued Statutory Safeguarding plan after securing approval for the points Directions for the proposed Bakerloo Line operating equipment that will be used. Extension from Lambeth North to

Commissioner’s report 17 Lewisham. This will protect the land we our network and will enable a peak require to build the extension, including frequency increase from 24 to 27 trains per the tunnels, new stations along Old Kent hour. The design for the new Piccadilly line Road, New Cross Gate and Lewisham, as trains were unveiled on 4 March in a joint well as key operational infrastructure and webcast with Siemens. The new construction sites. This is a major trains optimise space to boast 10 per cent milestone for the project that recognises more capacity, as well as being the very strong case for the scheme and significantly lighter than existing designs, the many benefits it would bring. meaning energy efficiency is increased and damage to tracks is reduced. This is Alongside the planned Statutory achieved by using an innovative articulated Safeguarding Directions, there has been design, meaning fewer bogies (the further development of the Strategic structures containing the wheels, motors Outline Business Case. The business case and suspension to support and power the will address the affordability challenge in train) are required per full-length train. terms of the scheme design, as well as This provides the additional benefit of a highlight the importance of all elements smoother ride. The new trains have also of the Bakerloo Line Extension to been designed with sustainability in mind. London’s recovery and growth. This work They are 95 per cent recoverable and is under way and is due to be completed also offer regenerative braking capability, by May 2021. cutting-edge traction systems, LED lighting throughout and advanced energy Piccadilly Line Upgrade management. This means energy Phase one of the Piccadilly Line Upgrade consumption is reduced by 20 per cent will introduce 94 new generation, high- compared with the existing fleet. capacity, walk-through, air-conditioned trains and supporting infrastructure. These Siemens has also begun to mobilise its will replace some of the oldest trains on train assembly facilities in readiness for The design for the new Piccadilly line trains were unveiled on 4 March

Commissioner’s report 18 the start of manufacture at Siemens and signalling modifications to the Thales Mobility’s new £200m rail manufacturing Automatic Train Operation system, to site in Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire. As support the new trains and functionality. part of Siemens Mobility’s commitment to There will also be telecoms system driving the local economy and supporting modifications to provide enhanced the Government’s levelling up ambitions, customer facing information and traction the first phase of investment has seen power capacity works. contracts worth £50m going to UK companies, with the majority to local The final design phase has been completed businesses. Siemens Mobility’s Goole and manufacturing has now commenced development will create up to 700 direct with Construcciones y Auxiliar de jobs, with a further 250 roles created Ferrocarriles (CAF). The final design for the during the construction phase and an Thales signalling has been accepted by the additional 1,700 indirect supply chain project team. opportunities. It is scheduled to open in 2023. The company also plans to create an The next phase of contracts have been associated rail supplier village and awarded for Beckton Depot and, following innovation centre with co-located tender evaluations, we expect to award suppliers, making Goole a rail ‘centre of the contract for the northern sidings excellence’ for the UK. works soon. Works to bring in a new traction power supply by UK Power To enable the introduction of the new Networks have started on site. fleet of trains, South Harrow sidings need enlarging. We began site works in Authority to enter into the grant December 2020 and are currently in agreement for the Housing Infrastructure dialogue with Harrow Borough Council in Fund works to deliver 14 additional trains preparation for beginning phase one works and stabling capacity was approved in as planned by mid-March. December 2020 and the grant agreement has now been signed. There is a break We continue to collaborate closely on clause in this agreement in July 2021 three innovation projects with our should Government not provide the partners in the Transport Infrastructure funding certainty needed to proceed with Efficiency Taskforce, whose members this vital project. include the Department for Transport (DfT), HS2 Ltd, Network Rail and Highways Amersham station becomes step-free England. These include a new cooling On 4 February, Amersham became the 81st technology that will help manage the step-free Tube station on the London temperature on station platforms, and Underground network, helping those with scalable offsite-constructed equipment accessibility needs to access the station rooms, which are cheaper, more and the wider transport network and sustainable and safer to install. significantly improving their journeys. New lifts installed at Amersham give step-free Design and site investigation works have access from the street to the Metropolitan started, as well as procurement of key line. components, so we remain on track for proof of concept to be delivered, including Step-free access at the station also site trials, in late 2021. includes a bridge linking the platforms, and improved signage. Level access between New DLR rolling stock the train platform for Metropolitan line This programme is to manufacture and services and a manual boarding ramp will supply 43 new DLR trains, 33 to replace be available to assist customers wishing to the life expired B92 fleet and 10 to increase access National Rail trains at Amersham. capacity. It will also include an expanded depot to stable and service the new fleet

Commissioner’s report 19 In an overnight operation, the lift shafts as well as making logistical planning and were craned into position with the lifts other preparations. themselves built onsite. The new bridge and lifts will improve access within the South Kensington station station and wider transport network for On 27 February, we began essential work people with mobility needs, heavy luggage to replace the escalators at South or with children in buggies. Kensington station. This means that Piccadilly line trains are non-stopping at The completion of accessibility work at the station until early spring 2022. Circle Amersham means that 30 per cent of the and District line services continue to Tube network is now step-free, with more operate through the station. than 200step-free stations across our network. Work continues on six more The vital replacement programme will see stations which are scheduled to be made all five Piccadilly line escalators at South step-free: Debden, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Kensington station replaced. The Ickenham, Osterley, Sudbury Hill and escalators, which were installed in 1973 and Wimbledon Park. are at the end of their lifespan, have become unreliable and are the highest Elephant & Castle station priority escalators for replacement on the A new station entrance and Northern line Tube network. ticket hall will be provided as part of a private sector redevelopment of the The work will mean that the station, which Elephant & Castle shopping centre, before the pandemic saw almost 34 significantly increasing station capacity to million customer journeys each year and meet future demands. The developer, provides an important gateway to the Delancey, will construct a new station box world-famous cultural attractions in the as part of its scheme. We will provide the area, will have five new high-performing fitout of the ticket hall, step-free access escalators for decades to come. All work and tunnels connecting the ticket hall to will be carried out according to the latest the existing Northern line platforms. social distancing guidelines for staff and Future interchange with the Bakerloo line customers. will be safeguarded within the construction of the new station box. The new escalators will be installed with UV light sanitising devices, building on our The developer continues with its ongoing efforts to keep services safe for demolition of the existing Elephant & customers with an extensive anti-viral Castle shopping centre. Meanwhile, our cleaning regime. A successful trial has negotiations with the developer are now shown that these devices improve at a detailed stage. We have received a sanitisation levels on escalator handrails favourable offer on our contribution to by at least 50 per cent. the station box. Affordability remains essential for us and requires a decision Waterloo station before the development agreement, The London Borough of Lambeth has currently planned for spring this year. entered into an agreement with developer Discussions are ongoing to identify and HB Reavis on its proposed demolition of secure the necessary funds to enable us to Elizabeth House and an associated commit to the new station. contribution towards step-free access to the Northern line at Waterloo station. Surveys and detailed design will follow, with prioritised enabling works delivered Subject to the necessary legal agreements in 2021/22. Tunnelling will start once the being entered into with us, HB Reavis will station box has been handed over by the provide a new lift shaft, constructed from developer in 2024. In the meantime, we within its development site, which will continue to look for ways to reduce costs, make it possible to create a step-free

Commissioner’s report 20 connection between the Northern line will also offset the carbon footprint of the platforms and the concourse above. building during its use. Before the pandemic, Waterloo station was one of the busiest stations on the Hammersmith Bridge Tube network. As part of the DfT funding settlement for the second half of 2020/21, £4m has been The redevelopment of Elizabeth House is allocated to the repairs at Hammersmith of strategic importance to Lambeth, and Bridge. Our officers are working closely will provide flexible new office with borough colleagues in Hammersmith accommodation, a bustling new street & Fulham, Richmond, the Port of London with retail offerings, improved public Authority and the DfT to further develop space and pedestrian links between the structural designs and plans that Waterloo station and the Southbank area. would stabilise the bridge and enable it to It is hoped works may start in 2022. re-open to pedestrians and cyclists, before the full strengthening phase of the works Walthamstow Central station allowed road traffic to use the crossing We have received planning permission for again. a new entrance at Walthamstow Central station that would increase capacity and The exploratory works, which involve provide step-free access to the Victoria taking off the pedestal casings and blast line. The new station entrance is part of a cleaning to investigate the structural wider development by Capital and cracks in detail, restarted in December Regional, including a new shopping mall 2020. All four sets of casing panels will and new homes. have been removed by April 2021 with the blast cleaning also having been completed. Walthamstow Central station has seen Discussions are ongoing with the DfT customer growth of 25 per cent over five Taskforce on funding for the next stages years, causing queues during the of repair, together with options for weekdays. The development would refining the delivery programme and address these congestion issues. contractual arrangements, and potential advance works to de-risk the construction The impact of the pandemic has meant schedule. funds we previously committed are no longer available, and we are working hard We understand the significant disruption to secure alternative funding to contribute caused by the bridge closure and have towards progressing this scheme. worked hard to mitigate the impact. We have increased the service frequency on Acton Depot bus route 533, between Hammersmith Bus Construction work at our new train Station and Lonsdale Road, and on route maintenance depot building in Acton 378, between Mortlake Bus Station and reached a green milestone at the end of Putney Bridge station. We continue to January, as 598 solar panels and a green work with various stakeholders, including lawn were installed on the roof. state and private schools on both sides of the river, to see how we can further help The building will be used by our train local customers and pupils. We also modification unit. The green roof is a big continuously monitor the road network step towards meeting our renewable and change traffic signal timings to energy target for the building and will alleviate any local congestion. return a staggering 152,300kwh to the grid every year. This is enough energy to power Hammersmith Ferry 37 detached houses for a year and We started the procurement process in underlines London Underground’s November 2020 to appoint a contractor to commitment to the environment and run a temporary ferry service close to sustainability. The return of green energy Hammersmith Bridge while plans for

Commissioner’s report 21 repair are finalised. We have concluded transparent selection process for initial shortlisting and have invited bidders Operators launched in November 2020 and to tender full submissions, which were is now drawing to a conclusion. Further received in mid-February. The winning announcements in relation to the selected bidder is due to be announced by the end operators will be made in due course. of March. The TfL Go app To ensure a high-quality submission, some We launched our TfL Go app, a real-time of the firms taking part in the travel assistant, on iPhones in August 2020. procurement process requested additional An Android version followed in December, time, which means it is unlikely that the which was a key deliverable in the H2 ferry will begin operating before the settlement. Several adjustments were summer. When an operator is chosen to made at the time of this launch to meet run the ferry this month, it will be possible our pandemic response, including to set out the programme in more detail. messaging around face coverings, promoting walking and cycling routes for The contract award and delivery of the shorter journeys, and quiet times at ferry service is also dependent on us stations. securing agreement from Government that financial support will be provided for Since its launch, we have built and the delivery and operation of the ferry. released new features and functionality, including nearby bus information, live London rental e-scooter trials step-free status, Thameslink on the Tube Following public consultation, on 4 July map, and live rail times (including London 2020, the DfT introduced new regulations Overground and TfL Rail) in Journey to allow trials of rental e-scooters as part Planner. We have continued to support of the Government’s response to the our open data policy by releasing new coronavirus pandemic. accessibility data used in the app to third- party developers. Our early engagement with London Boroughs and with e-scooter Operators Our focus is now on account and payment demonstrated that there was strong integration and ensuring the Android interest in hosting trials across London version has a comparable set of features and as such this could have created a with iPhones. We will also be looking to patchwork of trials which could have had trial ‘promoted locations’ to support potentially significant impacts on safety. London as it emerges from lockdown.

Safety remains our top priority, and we The app has been downloaded 78,000 have worked closely with London Councils times and will be promoted as part of our and participating London Boroughs to restart and recovery activity. It aims to set deliver a co-ordinated single rental e- a new benchmark for us in terms of scooter trial across London. The trial will inclusive digital design, making the most of promote safety at its core and help us native app technologies like VoiceOver achieve a consistent approach for the (iPhones) and TalkBack (Android). benefit of London. This trial will also help us to understand if and how e-scooters London Plan formally published can be safely accommodated in London. The Mayor received a letter from the Secretary of State on 29 January 2021 A significant programme of engagement formally agreeing to the publication of the has been underway with London’s Mayor’s new London Plan, with no further stakeholders to inform plans and a trial is modifications required. On 2 March 2021, expected to start in spring 2021, lasting for the London Plan was published on the 12 months. Following a market sounding GLA website, and is a major step forward questionnaire in June 2020 an open and for the Capital. The plan sets out a

Commissioner’s report 22 framework for the future of London, the continuation of site clearance and ensuring that London’s growth will be mobilisation at Euston, including Good Growth; growth that is sustainable preparatory works for the new London and improves the quality of lives for all Underground substation and ventilation Londoners. building, and utilities diversions along Hampstead Road and across Euston Road. Under the new plan, new developments Enabling works for the interim taxi rank at will continue to contribute to the delivery Euston station began in February. Enabling of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, works are also ramping up at Old Oak especially regarding mode shift as homes Common in readiness for piling and and jobs are located in places that are well excavation for the main station box, which connected by public transport. The city is expected to start by April/May 2021, will develop in ways that tackle the pending resolution of ground monitoring climate emergency and improve air quality, requirement issues. as well as health and wellbeing. The plan also provides the framework for the We are working with the DfT to assess the economic recovery of the Capital from the preferred option from the Senior impacts of coronavirus, supporting SMEs, Responsible Owner Study, especially with creative businesses and grassroots venues. regards to our infrastructure, operations It will also help London become more and passengers. This work includes other accessible and inclusive, creating places key stakeholders, including HS2 Ltd, that are more welcoming and designed for Network Rail, London Borough of Camden people. and Lendlease, under the umbrella of the newly formed Euston Partnership. New Homes Collectively, we are working to refine early Elizabeth line over-station development scheme designs, as well as input into We completed our deal with Galliard affordability, to ensure investment Homes on 10 February to develop above delivers best value. A decision on the high- and around the new western entrance to level proposals is currently anticipated in Tottenham Court Road station. The new April 2021, following review through the development will help provide new Euston Partnership. construction job opportunities and deliver 92 new homes alongside recently built We have continued work on the Euston retail space on Oxford Street. This forms Healthy Streets project with funding from part of a programme of 12 major London Borough of Camden. This is taking development opportunities above and a strategic view of the highways around Elizabeth line stations and surrounding Euston to inform future Crossrail construction sites. aspirations in line with the Mayor’s Healthy Streets principles. This includes Bow Church developing a joint vision with On 12 January, we selected the housing stakeholders, as well as identifying short- association Optivo as our partner to help term improvements for pedestrians. We us deliver more than 150 new homes at a are also working with Camden and the site next to Bow Church DLR station. The Euston Partnership to explore a restart of scheme will include at least 50 per cent wider design work on the project. affordable housing as well as improving the public realm and providing new We continue to work collaboratively with commercial space to support the local HS2 Ltd and its supply chain in reviewing economy. and assuring designs and works where there is a potential impact on our assets or High Speed 2 our operations. HS2 Limited’s construction activity has continued across all sites in London under COVID-19 secure conditions. This includes

Commissioner’s report 23 New crane trains first time to residential areas around Track work on our network is set to be Winchmore Hill. made safer and more efficient thanks to a pair of new cranes we are bringing into The new route replaces the limited and use. The Kirow cranes can be transported infrequent route W10 in the north of the through our tunnels and are designed so borough, on which we have already the lifting arms can work while parallel to introduced a more direct routeing in the the ground. This makes them particularly Carterhatch Lane area in north Enfield, suited to our space-constrained through a new traffic management environments. scheme. It will cut journey times on public transport by around 15 minutes (from 40 The cranes are complemented by eight to 45 minutes currently) between new tilting wagons, the first of their kind destinations such as Winchmore Hill and to run on the network. They can transport North Middlesex Hospital. whole sections of prefabricated track up to 18 metres long. The wagons are loaded In other changes, following customer and unloaded flat but tilted up to 60 requests, we have altered the times of the degrees to fit through tunnels on our sub- first bus on route 164 to give better surface lines. connections to trains at Wimbledon station. We have also introduced a Traditionally, all the components to renew diversion on route 92 (in the borough of a section of track, particularly points and Ealing) to serve the large new crossings, arrived separately and were development at Greenford Quay. assembled onsite. Now the panels are pre- built at the manufacturer’s location and We have been providing customers with brought onsite on the tilting wagons, regular travel advice following strikes in where the crane lifts them off and slots late February and March on some RATP them in. The new method will improve bus services, accounting for around 80 of track quality and installation rates, and has the capital’s 700 bus services. We the potential to reduce closure durations, contacted all our registered Oyster card which is good news for customers. users on these routes in west London advising them to check their journeys Our cranes can lift up to 25 tonnes before travelling, with real-time updates individually or up to 50 tonnes when provided on the TfL website and TfL Go working in tandem. They can also lift app and travel information posted at most panels in front of their wheels, which is affected bus stops and bus stations to particularly helpful when working in a help customer re-plan their journeys. subsurface environment. RATP continues to work through the industrial relations issues with Unite the Bus services update Union to seek agreement and avert further On 13 March, we are introducing a new bus action. route, 456, following strong support during consultation. Route 456 provides New Tube map cover art much requested new links between areas Phyllida Barlow’s helter skelter is the in the north and west of the borough of cover for the 33rd edition of the pocket Enfield and North Middlesex Hospital. It Tube map series, commissioned by Art on will operate between Crews Hill and the Underground. Made during lockdown, North Middlesex Hospital via Enfield town helter skelter comprises Barlow’s centre, World’s End, Grange Park and signature bold colours and shapes in a Winchmore Hill. The service will run every tower of platforms and tubes, balanced 30 minutes between 07:00 and 20:00 on precariously on top of one another. The weekdays and Saturdays, and an hourly ramp, barrier and tower are forms that service on Sundays between 07:00 and have appeared repeatedly in Barlow’s work 20:00. It also provides a bus service for the throughout her 50-year career.

Commissioner’s report 24

Art on the Underground began commissioning artists to create works for the Tube map in 2004, with two artists commissioned each year. The map has featured artists including Yayoi Kusama, David Shrigley and Barbara Kruger. With millions of copies printed each year, the pocket Tube map is among the most significant series of art commissions in the world.

Poems on the Underground In February, we launched a new series of Poems on the Underground to celebrate the bicentenary of the death of poet John Keats, considered one of the greatest English poets. The six poems include two works by Keats, a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley to commemorate Keats and three poems by contemporary authors that reflect on nature, one of Keats’ favourite themes.

Commissioner’s report 25

5 Healthy Streets

Streetspace for London Streetspace Plan, our interim borough The Streetspace for London programme guidance and the A10 Bishopsgate Order, continues to deliver at pace. So far, more but has stayed the effect of these orders than 82.2km of strategic cycle routes have until 21 days after the final determination been completed, with a further 12.8km of any appeal. This means that the plan, under construction. Through the guidance and Order can remain in place programme of temporary schemes, we pending any appeal. We are disappointed are working with the London boroughs to with the judgement and submitted an deliver at least 30km of new or upgraded application for leave to appeal on 10 cycling infrastructure between November February 2021. 2020 and March 2021. As we recover from the pandemic, we will continue to No findings were made about the monitor the impacts of Streetspace for lawfulness of other borough schemes, London schemes on cycling and other which can also remain in place as modes, as well as engaging local boroughs consider appropriate. The communities and stakeholders, to inform judgment does not prevent any decisions which schemes could be made on schemes being taken going forward permanent. and these should be taken having regard to the judgment as appropriate. There Construction of a one-kilometre have been some separate challenges to extension of Cycleway 4 between some borough projects, which the courts Aldeburgh Street and Anchor and Hope are yet to decide upon. Lane in Southwark is under way, and works have also started on two sections Santander Cycles of the CS8 upgrade between Macduff Our Santander Cycles continue to play a Road and Wandsworth Road in crucial role in supporting key workers Wandsworth. during the pandemic, as more people have turned to cycling for exercise and Borough delivery continues to make good journeys. Since March 2020, free cycle-hire progress, with construction of access codes have been provided for NHS Streetspace for London routes taking staff and other key workers. So far, there place across seven London boroughs. have been 217,710 hires and almost 18,000 Enfield has recently extended its Ponders people have benefited from this offer. End to Edmonton route to connect with The busiest location for NHS code the North Middlesex Hospital. This route redemption is the docking station on will eventually extend into Haringey and Lambeth Palace Road in Waterloo, near St connect with Cycleway 1. Thomas's Hospital.

Bishopsgate judicial review In addition, 24-hour membership A judicial review claim was brought by registrations rose by 167 per cent in the two taxi organisations against a scheme in year to December 2020, representing the Bishopsgate and against the interim largest increase in the scheme’s 10-year Streetspace for London guidance that we history. Meanwhile, registrations for new issued to boroughs in May 2020. On 20 annual memberships increased by 26 per January 2021, the court quashed the cent. Total hire numbers for 2020 were

Commissioner’s Report 26 10,434,167, an increase of around 6,000 to broaden and increase Santander Cycles from 2019, despite a significant overall usage, drive revenue, ensure operating reduction in journeys across London costs deliver value for money and adapt during the pandemic. to the requirements of the latest applicable regulations. It will improve the Over the course of last year, the previous customer offering through measures to maximum daily hire number of 50,000 ensure Santander Cycles benefit from the was surpassed on 14 separate days as latest market functionality for bicycle record numbers of people tried Santander sharing systems, including an upgraded Cycles for the first time. New back-office solution with the ability to memberships have also risen by 157 per offer flexible fare models. cent over the last year compared to 2019, providing a lifeline to tens of thousands Cycleways of Londoners by enabling them to safely Cycleway 9 make essential journeys. Works on Kew Bridge and Chiswick High Road to construct the new Cycleway 9 are This year we have seen two consecutive progressing well. The BT utility diversion record-breaking weekends in the month works on Kew Bridge are now complete of February since the schemes launch on and the footway cutback works to add an 30 July 2010. The weekend of Saturday 20 extra lane of road capacity southbound is and Sunday 21 February saw over 73,400 progressing well. Works for the eastern hires to only then be surpassed the arm of Kew Junction towards Chiswick following weekend with over 83,400 hires Roundabout are almost 50 per cent across Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 complete. Carriageway resurfacing works February. for these sections is planned for late March 2021, with completion of the works Work to modernise Santander Cycles planned for early April 2021. continues as planned. This initiative aims

Use of Santander Cycles is at a 10-year high

Commissioner’s report 27 Works on the western arm of Kew funded Cycling programmes. We continue Junction towards Brentford are subject to to make good progress in Kingston, with funding approval but are expected to start completion scheduled for summer 2021. in the new financial year. Schemes currently under construction include protected cycleways between Cycleway 4 Kingston Vale and Kingston, and between The works to construct the new Cycleway Kingston and Surbiton. 4 in Greenwich along Creek Road, from Deptford Church Street to Norway Street, Active Travel Fund are progressing well and are planned to be We successfully submitted a bid for the completed by summer 2021. The Evelyn second tranche of the DfT’s Active Travel Street section in Lewisham, which will Fund. The submission was compiled from now be delivered as a permanent cycle borough bids in August 2020 and we have track, is planned to start construction in since gone back to boroughs to review the early spring 2021. schemes. This was completed in January 2021 and the £20m of funds are now Cycleway 7 allocated. This includes £12.4m of We have set out plans to support safer temporary cycle schemes, with the rest essential journeys by bike in Lambeth and allocated to Low Traffic Neighbourhoods Southwark, and construction work is and School Streets, including some scheduled to start on 15 March. The trial changes to existing temporary schemes. changes, along the A23 between Oval and Streatham and on the CS7 cycle route The timeframes for delivery of these between Oval and Elephant and Castle, schemes have been extended into 2021/22. will open up these two key cycling We will engage and consult on these corridors in southwest London, enabling schemes as part of our new consultation more cycle journeys and giving people guidance issued in December 2020. confidence that they can travel safely along these busy roads. Air quality and the environment Ella Adoo Kissi-Debrah The changes are a vital part of our On 15 February 2013, Ella Adoo-Kissi- response to the pandemic and we asked Debrah (aged nine) suffered a severe people for their initial feedback on the asthma attack and tragically died shortly plans before construction started. These after. Ella lived 25 metres from the South changes are being delivered as trials and Circular Road in Lewisham. An inquest we will ask people for further feedback took place into her death on 26 once they are in place. September 2014. The Coroner concluded the cause of death was acute respiratory We will also be moving forward with failure and severe bronchial spasm. In further upgrades to the key CS7 cycle June 2018, Ella’s family applied to the route, which is one of the most heavily Attorney General for his consent to make used routes in London. The latest an application to the High Court to quash changes, between Oval and Elephant and the original inquest. This followed a Castle, will include new cycle wands to report from Professor Holgate, which segregate the existing cycle lanes on the concluded it was likely that unlawful westbound and southbound approaches levels of air pollution contributed to Ella’s to the Camberwell New Road/ Kennington fatal asthma attack. The Attorney General Park Road junction, and wider bus lanes to consented to this application and in May make it easier for people to cycle in them. 2019, the High Court quashed the original inquest and ordered a fresh inquest take Mini-Hollands place. Both Waltham Forest and Enfield have now completed their Mini-Hollands TfL and the Mayor were designated as Interested Persons for the fresh inquest.

Commissioner’s report 28 The Coroner directed that the inquest of electric vehicles, we have invested would consider whether air pollution £18m to build a network of electric vehicle caused or contributed to Ella’s death, how rapid charging points. Despite delays air pollution levels were monitored in 2013 caused by the pandemic, we still achieved and what steps were taken to reduce air our original target of installing 300 rapid pollution. The fresh inquest took place charging points by 31 December 2020, with between 30 November and 11 December this figure met by 17 December. We have 2020. The Coroner concluded on 16 now installed 305 rapid charging points, December 2020 that Ella died of asthma with work continuing on a small number contributed to by exposure to excessive of additional sites that are nearing air pollution. There had also been a completion, as well as on two multiple recognised failure to reduce levels of rapid charging point hub sites at Baynard nitrogen dioxide to within EU limits during House in the City of London and Glass 2010-2013, which possibly contributed to Yard in Greenwich. her death. The Coroner is expected to issue a prevention of future deaths report While the pace of recent electric-vehicle in the coming weeks. (EV) infrastructure delivery has been impressive, current public funding Low Emission Zone and Direct Vision streams are coming to an end and we Standard need to set out what needs to happen to On 1 March 2021, as part of our efforts to move the agenda forward. The clean up London’s air and make our Government’s intention to end new car streets safer, tougher Low Emission Zone sales for petrol and diesel cars and vans (LEZ) emissions standards for heavy by 2030 will further accelerate the switch vehicles came into force, as well as the to EVs and therefore mean increased enforcement of the Direct Vision Standard demand for infrastructure. (DVS), which is now operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is enforced on As such, we are now developing a new all roads in London, with standards set to strategy outlining our updated forecasts tighten further in 2024. for the London’s EV infrastructure needs by 2030, how the public sector can further The DVS requires operators of heavy support this and remove barriers for the goods vehicles (HGVs) more than 12 private sector, and what Government tonnes to obtain a free HGV safety permit funding or support is required to achieve to enter or operate in London. The safety this. permit system assigns vehicles a star rating based on how much the driver can Scrappage schemes see directly through their cab windows. We have been operating the Mayor’s HGVs that do not meet the minimum £48m scrappage schemes, with an one-star rating will have to fit additional additional £4.2m contributed from the vehicle safety features. GLA budget to help drivers scrap their older, more polluting vehicles to meet The LEZ standards HGVs, vans and other required emissions standards. The grants specialist vehicles more than 3.5 tonnes have been targeted at small businesses, and minibuses, buses and coaches more charities, and people on low income and than five tonnes will increase from Euro with disabilities. After 18 months of IV to Euro VI. This brings the LEZ operation, the van and charity minibus standards for these vehicles into scrappage scheme was suspended to alignment with the ULEZ standards. vans, due to high demand and limited funds. The scheme remains open to Rapid charging points charities. To date, the scheme has To support the growing number of zero- supported the scrapping of more than emission capable taxis and wider take up 4,000 vehicles, with more than £25m of grant payments being issued.

Commissioner’s report 29

We also continue to make grant payments We have also continued with the to applicants of the Heavy Vehicle installation of new cameras across the Scrappage Scheme, with 42 heavy vehicles expanded zone, with more than 400 scrapped to date, with three retrofitted to installed to date. Cameras are located in become compliant. While the Heavy line with privacy agreements and new Vehicle Scheme was only available for a camera numbers balance such short period due to high demand, we considerations with the effectiveness recently secured an additional £344,000 required. We have also continued of funding via underspend from the GLA’s installation of foundation sockets for the Good Growth Air Quality Fund, to enable new boundary signs that will be installed a total of 156 heavy vehicles to be closer to the launch date in October 2021. scrapped. Work continues on the marketing The ULEZ Car and Motorcycle Scrappage campaign to raise awareness of the ULEZ Scheme (UCMSS) remains open to expansion and educate drivers on how applicants, and we intend to divert any and where the scheme will operate, funds returned from expired van encouraging them to check their vehicles scrappage offers to the scheme. This will and plan their options ahead of October. enable us to continue supporting those This campaign includes posters, radio on low income and with disabilities, as a adverts, press and online advertising, mitigation to the impact of the ULEZ leaflets for residents living along the expansion. The UCMSS has supported the boundary, press activity and stakeholder scrapping of more than 3,400 vehicles, engagement, and will run until the with a significant rise in applications in scheme launches. recent months. Zero-emission buses ULEZ expansion We currently have 437 zero-emission In 2019, we introduced the world’s first 24- buses in our fleet and will be increasing hour ULEZ in central London. This has had this to 700 by the end of 2021, subject to a transformational impact on air no further lockdowns or delays to vehicle pollution, contributing to a 44 per cent delivery and roll out. Our plan is to seek reduction in roadside nitrogen dioxide continued funding from central levels within its boundary. From 25 Government to increase this total to October 2021, the existing central London 2,000 vehicles by 2025 to further improve ULEZ will be expanded up to the North air quality in London and help tackle Circular Road (A406) and South Circular climate change. Ultimately, we plan to Road (A205), creating a much larger zone have an entirely zero-tailpipe emission that will help improve air quality for fleet by 2037 at the latest with the millions of Londoners. Cars, motorcycles, ambition to accelerate this to 2030 to minibuses (up to five tonnes), vans (up to help the Government with carbon 3.5 tonnes) and other specialist vehicles reduction targets. driving within the boundary will need to meet the required ULEZ emissions Safer streets standards or pay a daily charge. Resurfacing at Dalston Junction resurfacing commenced on 8 March, with A key element of this expansion is to the scheme’s completion making it the migrate the existing operational systems 41st Safer Junction, after which the Safer to a cloud-based platform to be able to Junctions programme will come to a deal with the increased volumes of data close. that the larger zone will bring. We have completed the first key testing activities Recent monitoring of collision data for and have successfully migrated the first the Safer Junctions programme indicates tranche of systems to the cloud platform. that the programme has reduced the total

Commissioner’s report 30 number of collisions by 25 per cent at The proposed changes include a new sites where Safer Junctions measures signalised pedestrian crossing on the have been completed and where 36 north side of the bridge, which will make months of collision data, before March it much safer to cross the road here. We 2020, is available. It is estimated that a will begin engagement with the local total of 150 fewer collisions occurred at community in the coming weeks and work the improved junctions. to deliver these safety critical changes as quickly as possible. This work has been Construction work started on a new brought forward after a man was pedestrian crossing scheme at Camden tragically killed on the bridge earlier this Road/Camden Street on 15 February 2021. year following a collision with a vehicle. We are working with Camden Council to ensure synergy with recent borough-led Lowering speed limits Streetspace for London improvements, Phase two of the Lowering Speed Limits and to address concerns raised by some programme has restarted, with survey and local residents during consultation. design work currently under way. The programme will reduce the mandatory Footway works on Holloway Road have speed limit by 10mph on more than 140km started in advance of a new scheme being of our roads in high-risk areas, including 37 delivered in 2021/22. These are expected to town centre locations across London. be completed in April. Where opportunities exist, we will integrate 20mph speed limits into social Safer streets improvements planned for distancing schemes delivered under the delivery in 2021/22 include: Streetspace for London programme.

• Holloway Road/Drayton Park –10 We recently introduced 20mph speed new and improved crossings limits on the A21 Rushey Green to • York Road Roundabout – safety Lewisham High Street and in Peckham improvements for motorcyclists town centre, alongside pedestrian • Upper Richmond Road by East improvements. A 20mph speed limit has Putney station – first phase of been introduced on around 5.5km of our improvements, including 20mph road network since summer 2020. limits up to the junction with the Other areas included in the programme A3 are:

• A217 junction with Lumley Road – mitigation measures for right turn • A3 and A23 corridors as part of the collisions CS7 improvement works • A3 Robin Hood Way service road – • A3212 and A3205 corridors as part improved lighting and speed of the CS8 improvement works reducing features to reinforce the • A1203 Burdett Road in Tower 20mph speed limit Hamlets • A10 junction with Edmonton • A102 Homerton High Street, due to County School –mitigate the go live at the beginning of March impact of right turning traffic 2021 • Chelsea Embankment due to go New pedestrian crossing at Battersea live later this year Bridge • Our remaining roads within the City On 19 February 2021, we confirmed plans of Westminster to make crossing Battersea Bridge safer, in line with our Vision Zero goal of Old Street eliminating death and serious injury on Construction is progressing well at Old the road network. Street Roundabout, where a new layout will improve safety for cyclists and

Commissioner’s report 31 pedestrians by providing new and A40 Westway improved crossings, fully segregated cycle The concept design work for the critical lanes and a new public space with an renewal of the roller shutter joint has accessible main entrance to Old Street progressed well and will be completed by Tube station and the subsurface shopping the end of March. The start of arcade. construction is planned for late summer 2021. We have started engagement with The main works are continuing with boroughs and other stakeholders, to construction of the new station entrance carefully plan the traffic management and at Cowper Street, which is set to be project delivery. completed and opened in August 2021. Excavation works have been completed Carriageways and the breakthrough to the below Ten schemes were completed during surface shopping arcade area has been February and early March, with 91,000 achieved. Progress continues with square metres of carriageway resurfaced. construction of the precast walls and This includes significant sections of A214 stairs before the glass cladding and Trinity Road and A312 The Parkway. Work canopy roof are installed from May 2021. continues to mobilise the new highways contractors to ensure a smooth transition Following the successful traffic into the new financial year. management switch on the roundabout in January 2021, the northwest arm is now Surface technology permanently closed, and the junction is We are leading the way in delivering now in its final configuration. This traffic innovative new road traffic management switch has enabled construction for the systems to make journeys by walking, new main station entrance, new goods cycling and bus, as well as essential and passenger lifts, and the new public emergency services and freight trips, as space to start. Demolition works to create efficient as possible. Delivery of elements the opening in the peninsula for the new of the Surface Intelligent Transport main station entrance were completed as Systems (SITS) programme remains on planned in February 2021. Construction is track. We are working to confirm the now under way on the new main station procurement strategy for the predictive entrance substructure with the element of SITS, which aims to predict superstructure works scheduled to start impacts of unplanned incidents on the in July 2021. Refurbishment works to the road network and respond automatically, stairs on Subway 4 on the northwest side in real time. This innovative approach of the junction are also under way. could deliver up to 30 per cent of the overall benefits of SITS, helping to Installation of the critical fire safety address congestion in London, which is systems works in the below surface estimated to cost more than £1bn shopping arcade area will begin in April annually. 2021, following completion of the fabrication and installation designs by the We are also consolidating our approach to specialist supplier. Due to the reduced create a more versatile compliance, number of customers currently using Old policing and on-street services operation. Street Tube station because of the This will help people feel safer, support pandemic, the station is operating reliable journeys and generate efficiency normally, and we have not needed to savings. Procurement of deployable implement an exit-only operation as enforcement cameras (DECs) is previously planned, but this is being continuing. Each year, more than 4,000 monitored. Completion of the project is people are killed or seriously injured in scheduled for autumn 2022. collisions on London’s roads, with 76 per cent of collisions happening at junctions – many of which involve moving vehicles

Commissioner’s report 32 contravening road traffic rules. DECs will locations put in place for works, be flexibly deployed at locations not particularly along cycle routes and covered by existing CCTV cameras, which includes proposals for footway charges. will greatly improve enforcement Alongside this, and to support economic coverage and improve safety. recovery and development, we are proposing to give discounts where major We are maintaining and developing infrastructure improvement works are technology to operate our public being done. This includes increased transport networks and improve opportunities for works promoters to customer experience. This includes complete work in the evening without upgrading the technology systems that incurring a charge. underpin the bus network, such as the iBus system, which provides real-time We gave all affected stakeholders the information on bus locations. It also required three months’ notice of these includes replacing the booking and changes and are working closely with scheduling system for Dial-a-Ride, which them as they prepare for them to come will enable us to book and deliver more into effect. trips with the same number of vehicles. Procurement for this system is Rotherhithe Tunnel refurbishment progressing well, following the start of The project to refurbish the 112-year-old the tender process in October 2020. tunnel will bring it in line with current safety standards and ensure its continued New Lane Rental Scheme approval use for decades to come. The concept We are planning to launch a modified design has progressed as planned and, Lane Rental Scheme in May 2021 following together with the value engineering governmental approval on 4 February exercise, will be completed as scheduled 2021. As is the case with the current by the end of March 2021. Works to scheme, regulations require that any net replace some of the systems that are proceeds generated by the scheme are nearing the end of their useful life and are reinvested back into London’s roadworks critical to the tunnel are on track to be industry to improve the adverse effects completed before the full refurbishment that roadworks often have on journeys. by the end of April 2021.

To date, and since the launch of our Contracts awarded to deliver walking inaugural Lane Rental Scheme on 11 June and cycling schemes 2012, we have seen more than £20m On 19 February, we confirmed five new awarded towards innovative projects to contracts have been awarded as part of develop new technology and modernise our Surface Transport Infrastructure operational practice to reduce disruption Construction framework, which will help from roadworks. The cost benefits to ensure walking and cycling projects society for reducing delay from this continue to be delivered to a high investment is estimated to be worth standard and that the capital’s road more than £100m. network has safe and well-maintained infrastructure for years to come. The new scheme will build on this solid foundation, and include enhancements The new contracts will be used to deliver around Vision Zero, network coverage and schemes to boost walking and cycling further incentives to minimise roadwork across our road network, including future disruption. In line with Vision Zero for projects to expand London’s growing example, the modified scheme network of high-quality Cycleways. These reinvigorates attention on achieving projects will be vital to enabling more excellence in safety and will increase people in the Capital to make journeys by network coverage from 56 per cent to 69 bike and on foot, which will help cut per cent. It will see more charging

Commissioner’s report 33 congestion, air pollution and road danger All 84km of bus lanes in the Bus Lane across London. Hours programme have been converted to operate at all times, which means all The new contracts also cover renewals bus lanes across London now operate work on much of the infrastructure that 24/7. Monitoring of the 84km has begun to our road network depends on, including decide whether they will operate this way our bridges, road tunnels and river assets. permanently. Renewals work typically takes place every few years and is more significant than Detailed design of a scheme to remove a day-to-day maintenance, for which notable pinch-point at West End Gate, separate contracts are awarded. The Edgeware Road is due to complete in contracts also cover the construction of March and enabling utility diversions are enhancements to these assets where already under way. This location serves needed. Contractors will be asked to one of the worst performing bus routes in deliver early input, design and London, impacting on 37 buses per hour. construction work through the This project will increase bus speeds and framework. provide 30 seconds of journey time savings per bus, resulting in some £80,000 The five companies awarded contracts as of operational cost savings per year, as part of the framework are Costain well as passenger benefits. The main Limited, Eurovia Infrastructure Limited, construction works are being co- Tarmac Kier and VolkerFitzpatrick Limited. ordinated with a third-party developer The framework runs from April 2021 until and are expected to start in April 2021. March 2027, for use by us, the London Boroughs and other authorities whose Following the review of eight new bus developments impact on our road corridor projects – which are now in network. feasibility design – a further five bus corridors have been identified for project Bus priority schemes mobilisation. Small-scale improvements Construction has begun on the will be designed and delivered in 2021/22, Wealdstone town centre bus priority with a rolling programme of medium and scheme, which will improve bus journey ambitious bus priority interventions times through a change to one-way throughout the next Mayoral term. operation, a new 24-hour bus lane, and improvements to traffic signals – as well Construction deliveries by cargo bike as improvements to pedestrian and We are working with the City of London cycling facilities. The project is expected and London boroughs to reduce the to complete in March 2022. adverse impacts of freight and service vehicles on our road network by finding Three new pairs of bus stops on the A316 more efficient ways to manage in Richmond are being constructed to construction site traffic. facilitate changes to the 110 bus route. The new bus stops will support a route Many companies in London are now change that creates operating efficiencies having their goods delivered by cargo bike, and brings buses into a new area of which has opened up an opportunity for London. the construction industry to get involved. Cargo bikes have the capability to pull a Detailed design of three new bus lanes in trailer and can use cycle lanes, which Central London, which will see one reduces the carbon footprint of kilometre of new bus lane across Vauxhall construction deliveries. Bridge Road, New Kent Road and Tower Bridge Road is nearly complete, with We have formed London’s first cargo construction due to begin in March 2021. bikes in construction working group,

Commissioner’s report 34 which meets every five to six weeks and discusses what cargo bikes are, where they can be used, how to set up trials and the best practice approaches required to ensure safety. Members of the working group include numerous London borough councils, highway contractors, developers and constructors, logistics companies, planning consultants, couriers, suppliers and campaigners.

Commissioner’s report 35

6 Crossrail

Health and safety remain our top priority Training for Incident Response, Service and we constantly scrutinise our overall and Traffic Managers continues, and new performance. Accident performance has training requirements are being finalised remained stable, though there has been a ahead of trial running, with the training recent increase in the number of high- plan for the Route Control Centre having potential near miss incidents. also been agreed. Maintenance training is nearly complete with the remaining Crossrail is in the complex final stages of elements relating to competence delivering the Elizabeth line. Work across assessment, following a period of the project continues at pace and it is still mentoring and learning. The assessment anticipated that the line will open for plan is scheduled to align with trial passenger services in the first half of 2022. running to ensure the retention of skills It is currently anticipated that the project as the system goes live. will enter trial running in spring 2021, but it will take time before it can then enter trial operations – the final stage before the Elizabeth line opens. Trial running will mark the project’s key transition from construction to an operational railway.

Reliability continues to be built and mileage accumulated through System Integration Dynamic Testing of the central operating section. The upgraded software has been uploaded and will be used in trial running.

Custom House, the first station in the central section to be handed over to us, is in the final stages of testing and will soon be fully integrated into the network. In early March, Farringdon station was also handed over to us, following the successful completion of testing and integration work. Tottenham Court Road and Paddington stations are next in line to be handed over in the coming months.

TfL Rail services continue to deliver excellent performance, with 95.6 per cent of trains meeting the reliability target in the four-week period from 10 January to 6 February 2021. This continues the trend for services performing above target for the year.

Commissioner’s Report 36

7 Finance

Our 2020/21 financial performance receive a revenue top up to a Our latest financial report covers the predetermined level. Up to the end of P11, period from 1 April to 6 February, which is we have received cash of £765m in grant to the end of period 11, 2020/21. Our funding in H2, 2020/21, and £278m of financial performance is measured against revenue top up. The revenue top up our Budget submission to the GLA, as amount is around £170m less than what presented to Board on 9 December 2020, was anticipated when we signed the H2 and includes up to £1.8bn of government funding deal, with underlying journeys funding for H2, after including £160m of better than expected. additional savings and income required as part of the H2 funding agreement. Operating costs are £89m lower than expected, with over half of this driven by Our year to date position on the net cost lower core costs. We continue to enforce of operations, our day-to-day operating the spend control measures implemented deficit including capital renewals and last year, and which we have been financing costs, before the Extraordinary reviewing and tightening as needed since. revenue grant, was a deficit of £3,084m. Up to Period 11, our spend on capital This is £293m better than the GLA Budget renewals and new capital investment is submission. This improvement is mainly £57m, or six per cent lower than the GLA due to better than forecast passenger Budget submission. The spend to date is income as we had included a revenue significantly lower than last year, by contingency to reflect the high degree of around 24 per cent. An element of the uncertainty in social restrictions and underspend we are now seeing relates to consequent journey levels. However, greater caution on capital spend passenger income remains significantly approvals due to funding uncertainty below last year with revenue reduced by beyond 31 March. 67 per cent, or almost £2.8bn at the end of Period 11. Our cash balances have remained broadly stable since the H2 funding agreement Both Tube and bus journeys saw some with government. Our balances were decline following the introduction of Tier £1,634m at the end of Period 11, which is 4 restrictions in December 2020 coupled £85m lower than target – this is driven by with the Christmas holiday period. working capital which will unwind by year Journeys have been flat since the third end. Our cash balances also include national lockdown in January 2021, and £260m of ‘excess’ funding provided in H1, below the levels of the second national 2020/21 which it is intended to be repaid to lockdown in November 2020. Tube government when the current funding journeys were around 85 per cent lower agreement expires at the end of 2020/21. than last year and bus journeys around 70 per cent lower at the end of Period 11. As part of the H2 funding agreement with Weekly passenger income is around £65m government we committed to making lower than last year. £160m of savings, compared to the earlier Revised Budget. We are currently Under the H2 funding agreement with expecting to make £235m by year end. government, we do not carry financial risk This is from higher Road User Charging from lower passenger journeys as we income, further reductions in operating

Commissioner’s Report 37 costs, and savings and deferrals of capital from July 2021 to achieve a four per cent spend. As above, funding uncertainty for reduction by 2024/25, and an assumption next year is reducing our ability to commit of either the retention of Vehicle Excise on investing for the long term. Duty or a Greater London Boundary Charge as a new source of income from Our 2021/22 Budget 2022/23. We undertake an annual budget setting process to ensure we meet our legal Our discussions with Government are requirement to set a balanced budget and based on our Financial Sustainability Plan, present this to our Board for approval which describes in detail how we can before the start of the new financial year. achieve financial sustainability: covering While we are presenting a draft 2021/22 costs of day-to-day operations, budget with a forward look to 2022/23, our maintenance and financing by 2023/24 process this year takes into consideration while still requiring government support that we are in discussions with for major investments. It considers a Government on our funding requirement range of possible scenarios which look at for 2021/22 and beyond, as our current demand, additional revenue sources and funding and financing agreement expires capital investment. on 31 March. It recommends the existing 2020 H2 Our draft 2021/22 budget will be an update funding arrangements continue through to our submission to the consolidated 2021/22 but also recognises that revenue GLA budget on 30 November 2020, which support will be needed for 2022/23. In was approved as our updated budget by addition, it makes the case for annual our Board on 9 December. The TfL (GLA) Government funding of £1.6bn for capital budget expected the funding requirement investment which will enable us to for 2021/22 to be £3.1bn, broadly in line decarbonise by 2030. This will allow the with our earlier Revised Budget acceleration of plans to fully electrify expectation and £1.8bn for 2022/23. This London’s bus fleet by 2030 and deliver reflected the latest modelling which operating cost efficiencies through fuel predicted passenger revenues will be at savings and efficient upgrades to garage around 80 per cent of pre-coronavirus power supplies, as well as deliver pandemic projections by the end of improvements such as modern trains and 2021/22 and throughout 2022/23. signalling. Once a new funding agreement for 2021/22 is signed and the implications Our updates will include known top-level worked through, a revised budget for material changes such as Business Rates 2021/22 will be brought back to the Retention and Council Tax and Finance Committee and the TfL Board. incorporate assumptions, from our Financial Sustainability Plan, as submitted New fares to Government and published on 11 As a result of the pandemic and our January in line with our commitments financial settlements with the DfT, our within the H2 Funding Agreement. This fares increased in line with the retail price includes assumptions around achieving index plus one per cent on 1 March 2021. recurring savings of £730m between This was our first major change on fares 2019/20 and 2024/25; the phasing in of since 2016. service reduction on our bus network

Commissioner’s Report 38

© Transport for London

March 2021 PUB21_014