Libby

21 February 2006

PRIORITY ORDER PAPER

Report No: 4 Subject: Questions to the Mayor Report of: Executive Director Of Secretariat

Questions not asked during Mayor’s Question Time will be given a written response by Friday 24 February 2006.

Strike Action Question No: 366 / 2006 Roger Evans Will the Mayor update us on the latest threatened 24hr strikes planned by the RMT and ASLEF for the end of February?

Sir Ian Blair and the Media Question No: 544 / 2006 Damian Hockney Does the Mayor agree with Sir Ian Blair that the media are ‘institutionally racist’?

Stop and Search Data Question No: 513 / 2006 Dee Doocey In the interests of transparency and developing good community relations, do you think that the police should publish monthly section 44 stop and search data, broken down by borough? If not, how often and to what level do you think the information should be broken down and published?

Mayor’s Report Question No: 466 / 2006 Joanne McCartney Would the Mayor kindly update his report?

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Aviation Expansion Question No: 419 / 2006 Darren Johnson Can you clarify your position on aviation expansion within and around ? Can you also clarify the position of the LDA?

Congestion in London Question No: 523 / 2006 Geoff Pope ’Welcome to Gridlock City’. Was Tony Travers’ description of London’s congestion fair? * Barts and the London Question No: 467 / 2006 John Biggs What steps have you taken in response to the recent ‘wobble’ over funding the Barts & the London PFI? Would you agree with me that regardless of issues of concern about the procurement method we need to get a move on with this important scheme?

Security at London’s Stations Question No: 551 / 2006 Bob Blackman What action has been taken to improve security around stations following the savage murder of Tom Price? In particular, what arrangements have been made to improve police patrols in areas where stations are unstaffed in the evening?

Lambeth Council Question No: 468 / 2006 Valerie Shawcross Lambeth Council has recently lost £3 millions by employing a staff member without checking his credentials, who went on to set up a phantom company to supply non existent central heating systems for Council properties. Do you believe that standards of probity and financial management leave anything to be desired in this key Liberal Democrat and Tory run London Borough?

Former Lots Road Power Station Question No: 352 / 2006 Tony Arbour Given your statement in your report, are you suggesting that if you had positive planning powers, you would not have allowed a public inquiry to take place?

2 Olympics and Sewage Overflows Question No: 443 / 2006 Jenny Jones Untreated sewage and waste water is currently dumped into London waterways on average once per week. How many times would you expect raw sewage to be dumped in the Lea and Bow Back Rivers during 2012?

Low Emission Zone Question No: 501 / 2006 Mike Tuffrey According to TfL’s health impact assessment the LEZ will at best bring about a 20% reduction in the number of premature deaths directly associated with road traffic emissions. This being the case, will you support my call for further reductions in London’s road traffic emissions, by incentivising London’s car drivers to adopt cleaner vehicles, by increasing pedestrian areas, and by committing to a timetable for the early roll out of zero-emission technologies across the TfL fleet?

Camden Town Stabbing Question No: 394 / 2006 Brian Coleman Will you join me in condemning the murder of Manir Osman on Saturday 28th January outside Camden Town Underground Station?

Annual London Survey Question No: 546 / 2006 Peter Hulme Cross At your press conference on 31st January, you told journalists they ‘should listen to the people rather than the media’, and quoted statistics from the recent Annual London Survey. Do you really believe a poll of only 1,442 Londoners out of 7 million is representative of London as a whole?

Congestion Charge Question No: 317 / 2006 Angie Bray Why was TfL so determined to stop it being easier for Londoners to pay the congestion charge by seeking to close down the www.fivepounds.co.uk service?

Child Question No: 469 / 2006 Jennette Arnold Further to Question No: 36 / 2006, you say that the cost of travel to school by the Tube should go down in most cases. However as your answer shows, my constituents who buy Zones 1-2 Travelcards for their children have suffered a 29% cost increase and even if they switch to prepay, they face a 16% increase (which only covers 5 return journeys a week). Would you agree with me that there comes a point where groups of passengers like this will find the price of public transport too high and will return to their cars?

3 * Oyster Pre-Pay on Overground Rail Question No: 537 / 2006 Graham Tope In your Answer to Question 92/2006 you state that the Department for Transport already has powers to compel train operators to make investments - which could include a requirement for them to accept Oyster Pre-Pay. What discussions have you had with the Department to persuade them to include this as a requirement in all new rail franchises that are let which operate within Greater London?

Religious Hatred Bill Question No: 470 / 2006 Murad Qureshi How important is the Religious Hatred Bill in securing good community relations in London and what advice would you give to those Lib Dem MPs who refused to support it?

Metropolitan Police Service Priorities Question No: 407 / 2006 Richard Barnes What is the central Metropolitan Police Service target for the reduction in drug offences committed in 2006/07?

Lambeth Council Leisure Centres Question No: 471 / 2006 Valerie Shawcross Currently residents tell me that potentially three leisure centres in Lambeth are under threat from the Council - Streatham, Brixton and Clapham. Would you say that Lambeth is missing the point of having the Olympic event in London to raise young people’s interest in sport and healthy physical activity?

Note: The following are priority questions, but are not in proportional order.

NCR Scheme: Implementation Question No: 453 / 2006 Jenny Jones Will the Mayor support an immediate start on those parts of the TfL North Circular scheme designed to relieve problems with rat-running in adjacent roads by, for example, closing the westbound left turn into Melville Gardens?

Consultation on Private Hire Signage Question No: 472 / 2006 Jennette Arnold How will you ensure that passenger safety is prioritised above all other factors as the Public Carriage Office makes its decision on whether to permit London private hire vehicles to display external signage? 4 Questions for Written Answer

TfL Question No: 314 / 2006 Angie Bray TfL Surface Transport (and I assume other sections of TfL) send acknowledgement letters stating that their policy is to send a full response to letters or emails within 10 working days. If they cannot provide a full response within this time frame, they promise to contact the correspondent to outline an estimated response time.

1)What percentage of correspondence (emails and letters) are given a full response within the 10 working day period by: i) ? ii) ? iii) TfL Street Management?

2)What percentage of correspondence (emails and letters) are given an estimated response time if it is not possible to give a full response within the 10 working day period by: i) London Buses? ii) London Underground? iii) TfL Street Management? * Congestion Charge Zone Extension Question No: 315 / 2006 Angie Bray What measures are being taken, when installing new Congestion Charge Zone extension hardware, to, minimise street clutter, avoid damaging the view and appearance of Listed Buildings and take into account the character of Conservation Areas? * Olympic Site Question No: 316 / 2006 Angie Bray How much money will be saved now that 1/3 of the businesses on the Olympic site do not have to be moved? * Traffic Speeds in the Congestion Charge Zone Question No: 318 / 2006 Angie Bray Does the Mayor agree with the findings of the RAC Foundation, which has found that the speed of traffic in the congestion-charging zone has fallen dramatically in comparison to a year ago, despite a 60% increase in the congestion-charge fee? What measures will the Mayor be taking to address this issue? *

5 Traffic Speeds in the Congestion Charge Zone Question No: 319 / 2006 Angie Bray Does the Mayor agree with the RAC foundation that possible factors for the drastic reduction in speed for traffic flow in the congestion-charging zone include delays caused by cycle lane, bus priority measures, `bendy buses’ and traffic light re-timing? What alternative explanations can the Mayor provide? * Traffic Speeds in the Congestion Charge Zone Question No: 320 / 2006 Angie Bray Will the Mayor provide details of any surveys or studies conducted by or on behalf of TfL, into traffic speed and/or journey times in the area of the central congestion charge zone and the Western extension? * Traffic Speeds in the Congestion Charge Zone Question No: 321 / 2006 Angie Bray Will the Mayor confirm the RAC’s finding that traffic speeds inside the area of the Western extension to the congestion-charge zone `are higher than in the existing congestion-charge zone’? * Traffic Speeds in the Congestion Charge Zone Question No: 322 / 2006 Angie Bray Will the Mayor agree to hold an urgent investigation into the speed of traffic in the central congestion charge zone and the area of the Western extension, before he attempts to implement the latter project at the risk of wasting £150 million of taxpayers’ money and causing massive and fruitless inconvenience to residents, small businesses and commuters? * Traffic Speeds in the Congestion Charge Zone Question No: 323 / 2006 Angie Bray What is the speed of traffic on the Inner Ring Road in 2006 according to TfL’s figures, and what are the figures for the two previous years? * Traffic Speeds in the Congestion Charge Zone Question No: 324 / 2006 Angie Bray What is the speed of traffic on The Strand - East to West - in 2006 according to TfL’s figures, and what are the figures for the two previous years? *

6 Traffic Speeds in the Congestion Charge Zone Question No: 325 / 2006 Angie Bray What is the speed of traffic on the stretch from Holborn Circus to Piccadilly in 2006 according to TfL’s figures, and what are the figures for the two previous years? * Traffic Speeds in the Congestion Charge Zone Question No: 326 / 2006 Angie Bray What is the speed of traffic from Victoria Station to Aldwych in 2006 according to TfL’s figures, and what are the figures for the two previous years? * Bailiff Tactics Question No: 327 / 2006 Angie Bray Will the Mayor instruct TfL officers to conduct an urgent investigation into the bailiffs it employs following the latest in a string of episodes of bureaucratic incompetence - described by a judge on this occasion as ‘wholly unjustified, quite absurd and wrong’ - during which they baselessly seized the car of a Second World War veteran for three months and attempted to auction it? * Lower Lea Valley Businesses Question No: 328 / 2006 Angie Bray Could I please have a detailed summary of exactly the amount of land needed to develop the revised Olympic Park, how many businesses will still need to be bought out under the CPO process and how many will remain at their present site? * Todd Meats Question No: 329 / 2006 Angie Bray I have recently been contacted by a particular business that has written to me complaining about the treatment they have received from the LDA. The business in question is Todd Meats. They claim that they have had no response from the organisation concerning talks relating to the CPO process, even though they have written emails and sent written requests from their solicitors asking for initial talks to be set up. Could you look into this case and find out what is happening, and inform me at the earliest opportunity? * Use of the Thames Question No: 330 / 2006 Angie Bray What studies have been done into the viability of increasing commuter use of the Thames? Are there any plans to bring in large-scale services through ? *

7 Shoot to Kill Policy Question No: 331 / 2006 Andrew Pelling What is the current status of the Metropolitan Police Service’s shoot to kill policy? * Bow Street Police Question No: 332 / 2006 Andrew Pelling What is being done to preserve the heritage of Bow Street police station? * Crosfield Industries Closure Question No: 333 / 2006 Andrew Pelling I was disappointed by your answer to my question regarding the closure of Crosfield Industries and the loss of 85 jobs for South London’s disabled. With those employed palpably failing to find alternative job placements will you reconsider a lack of intervention by the LDA? * Congestion Charge Question No: 334 / 2006 Andrew Pelling Could the Mayor justify the effect of the congestion charge on cancer patients undergoing private medical treatment in central London? Is it not the case, that unlike NHS patients, private patients are unable to claim the congestion charge back? Does this policy emanate from a perception that private patients are affluent and therefore have no need to claim a rebate? I raise this issue in light of the fact that travel on public transport is not advisable to cancer suffers, due to the risk of infection detrimental to radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. Furthermore would it not be more sensible for the rebate to be administered by TfL, as opposed to the current protracted system processed by hospitals? * GLA Staff Question No: 335 / 2006 Bob Neill In your reply to Q 65/2006 why were the figures for ‘Media and Marketing’, ‘Strategy’, Policy and Partnerships’ and ‘Communications’ so incomplete? Please try again to find figures for these areas. * London Unlimited Programme Question No: 336 / 2006 Bob Neill Can you provide full details of the London Unlimited programme, including a list of all the projects it has supported, costs arising and details of which budget heads are funding it? *

8 Disclosure of Peace Reception Attendees Question No: 337 / 2006 Bob Neill In your answer to my question of 25/01/06 - `Invitation List for December 2005 Peace Reception’ (N. 236) you stated, ‘one organisation indicated that it was not happy for the names of its members in attendance at the reception to be disclosed.’ Which organisation was this? Was any specific reason given by that organisation for why they were unhappy to disclose the names of their members? What is the recourse for appeal against the exemptions you have cited within Section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act? * Management of Thames Gateway Bridge Opponents Project Question No: 338 / 2006 Bob Neill In answer to my question of 25/01/06 - `Funds Provided to Opponents of the Thames Gateway Bridge’ (No.238) you disclosed that `Darren Johnson wrote to TfL advising that he would engage specialist firms for the objectors, manage relationships with the consultants and take responsibility for satisfactory completion of their work. On this assurance TfL agreed that the invoices would be authorised for payment by the TGB project team when confirmation of receipt and acceptance of the reports was received by Mr. Johnson.’ In what official capacity was Mr. Johnson acting when he undertook to take this action? Who had agreed to give him this mandate? On what legal basis was this made? * GLA Officers and the ESF Conference Question No: 339 / 2006 Bob Neill Can you confirm that a Ms. Claire Gibson was employed at the GLA in 2004? Can you please identify her directorate and line manager, and can you outline the role she played in organising the ESF conference that took place in London in the same year? * Waiving of Contracts Code of Practice Question No: 340 / 2006 Bob Neill With regards to List of Decisions recorded between 12th January 2006 to 7th February 2006 and specifically to MA 2531, can you explain why it was agreed to waive the GLA’s Contracts Code of Practice to allow the contract to be awarded directly to `Park Hearne’ without the GLA conducting a competitive procurement process? * Waiving of Contracts Code of Practice Question No: 341 / 2006 Bob Neill With regards to List of Decisions recorded between 12th January 2006 to 7th February 2006 and specifically to MA 2545, can you explain why it was agreed to waive the GLA’s Contracts Code of Practice requiring three written quotes, in relation to commissioning Three Dragons Consultants to carry out the annual update of the GLA’s Development Control Toolkit to 2006/07 costs and values? *

9 Knee Hill SE28 Question No: 342 / 2006 Bob Neill Have TfL (either directly or through consultants) had any discussions with the London Boroughs of Bexley or Greenwich about widening Knee Hill? If such proposals exist, at what stage of development are they and will the Mayor provide full details? * Biggin Hill Airport Question No: 343 / 2006 Bob Neill Has the Mayor seen the ‘”Masterplan’ document issued by the operators of the airport, and does he intend to respond to it? Will he seek a full evaluation of the environmental and traffic consequences of the scale of expansion of activities proposed in the document? * Youth Disorder in Petts Wood Question No: 344 / 2006 Bob Neill Is the Mayor aware that a significant increase in youth disorder in Petts Wood has occurred since the introduction of free travel for under 16s? What arrangements have TfL and the Metropolitan Police made to monitor such incidents to see if a pattern can be established across London? If there is, what does the Mayor propose to do about it? Will the Mayor revisit restricting the hours of travel for under 16s? * Borough Market Question No: 345 / 2006 Tony Arbour When giving his support for London Bridge Tower, will the Mayor explain how much consideration he gave to the impact this proposed Tower will have on Borough Market? * Thames Gateway Question No: 346 / 2006 Tony Arbour With reference to the Thames Gateway Development, would the Mayor say whether sustainable communities or meeting the housing target is his major priority? Would he sacrifice a sustainable community in order to meet the 2016 housing target? * Buses Question No: 347 / 2006 Tony Arbour In his answer to my question No. 222/2006, the Mayor states that TfL would expect operators to take action to ensure that drivers keep their engines switched off at all bus stands at all times of day and night. What hope can the Mayor give my constituents in Kew that this will happen at the bus stand adjacent to Kew Retail Park where numerous complaints over two years in relation to the R68 have resulted in no action? *

10 The London Plan Question No: 348 / 2006 Tony Arbour Do you still stand by your answer to John Biggs at 18th July 2002 Planning and Spatial Development Committee where you said: ’I make it absolutely clear. If the Government decided not to proceed with Crossrail, then this Plan would be inoperative and we’d have to go back and start again. Crossrail is absolutely essential to the delivery of the London Plan. Take that out and there isn’t the transport infrastructure then to deliver it and you¿d have to go back and we’d be looking at something much closer down, we’d all be sitting around in little villages cobbling together shoes and making wicker baskets’. * Water Shortages Question No: 349 / 2006 Tony Arbour In light of expected water shortages that London will be facing do you now regret your decision to direct refusal for the Desalination plant at Beckton? * Water Shortage Question No: 350 / 2006 Tony Arbour In the review of the London Plan you state that you would like to introduce water efficiencies, is your decision to direct refusal on the Desalination Plant at Beckton contradicting this policy? * Former Lots Road Power Station Question No: 351 / 2006 Tony Arbour The Deputy Prime Minister in overruling his own inspector said that the 37 storey tower would be attractive landmarks in an area that was ‘not one of particularly sensitivity to tall buildings’. Do you agree with this description? Can you think of any other riverside sites in West London to which this description can be applied? * Trainee PCSOs Question No: 353 / 2006 Tony Arbour Thank you for your answer to question 212/2006. Is it possible for PCSOs to fail their training course? * Entry to Hendon Police Training Centre Question No: 354 / 2006 Tony Arbour How many prospective police recruits to the Metropolitan Police Service have been refused entry after testing positive for illegal substances since 2000? Can you break this down by age, sex and ethnicity? *

11 PCSO Training Question No: 355 / 2006 Tony Arbour How many prospective PCSO recruits have been refused entry to the training course after testing positive for illegal substances? Can you break this down by age, sex and ethnicity * Question No: 356 / 2006 Elizabeth Howlett Phase II of the East London Line would extend the line to Clapham Junction and Highbury and Islington, connecting the East London Line with the West and North London Lines, thus creating an orbital metro service around inner London. Would you press the case for Phase II of the East London Line now that you have a deal with the government for the first phase? * Diagonal Pedestrian Crossing Southfields Station Question No: 357 / 2006 Elizabeth Howlett Would you help local residents to get a diagonal pedestrian crossing installed at the crossroads at Southfields Station- from the station to the opposite corner. The phasing of the lights at this small junction of Augustus Road and Wimbledon Park Road prevents residents from crossing in one go. * LDA Funding Question No: 358 / 2006 Bob Blackman Are you happy with the LDA’s record funding businesses and organisations? * Business Closures Question No: 359 / 2006 Bob Blackman A recent LDA report shows the number of business closures in London in 2004-5 outstripped the number of business start-ups. Are you concerned by these statistics? What is your explanation for them? * Business Closures Question No: 360 / 2006 Bob Blackman A recent LDA report shows London has a low employment rate compared to the rest of the country. In fact the employment rate in London has only increased 0.4% in the latest economic cycle while nationally the figure is 3.2%. Are you concerned by these statistics? What is your explanation for them? *

12 London Theatres Question No: 361 / 2006 Bob Blackman Can you update me on what you are doing to encourage people to come to central London theatres that had previously been put off by the Congestion Charge and the 7/7 attacks? * Aircraft Over Central London Question No: 362 / 2006 Bob Blackman What is being done to ensure that there is no repeat of the recent case were an aircraft in distress was instructed to fly over central London? Surely there are enough military and civil airports around London to ensure that this does not happen in future? * London Mobile Communications Question No: 363 / 2006 Bob Blackman What is being done to keep pace with the growing demand for mobile telephones and data cards? Is there any chance that we may run out of capacity in the medium term? * London Dialing Codes Question No: 364 / 2006 Bob Blackman Have OFCOM indicated when will we be adding another dial code to 0207 and 0208? If so have you had any input on how this will be implemented? * Free Under 16 Travel Question No: 365 / 2006 Roger Evans Will the Mayor provide an assessment of the effect of free under 16 travel on anti-social behaviour? * * Elm Park Station Question No: 367 / 2006 Roger Evans When is London Underground going to clear rubbish around the trackside at Elm Park Station? * Flooding in Underpass Question No: 368 / 2006 Roger Evans What is being done to prevent flooding in the A12 pedestrian underpass between Royston Gardens and Redbridge Roundabout? *

13 Oyster Card ‘Fare Dodging’ Question No: 369 / 2006 Roger Evans If a user of a bus offers to pay by cash after they believe they have swiped their Oyster Card, should TfL ticket inspectors accept cash payment or should TfL pursue the passenger in court? * Crossrail Costings Question No: 370 / 2006 Roger Evans What is the financial limit on Crossrail? At what point of estimated expenditure will the Mayor say ‘enough is enough’ and withdraw his support from the project? * Crossrail Timings Question No: 371 / 2006 Roger Evans What is the time limit on Crossrail? Can the Mayor state categorically when he expects Crossrail to be completed? How long does the Crossrail saga have to go on for before the Mayor decides to withdraw his support? * North London Line Question No: 372 / 2006 Roger Evans What management structure does the Mayor envisage for the North London Line assuming it comes under the remit of TfL? Does a PPP style, DLR style, bus contract style or total control structure appeal to the Mayor? * North London Line Question No: 373 / 2006 Roger Evans What is the Mayor’s vision for the North London Line? * Bus Indicator and Door Beeps Question No: 374 / 2006 Roger Evans Can the Mayor please explain why beeps on bus indicators and doors are so loud that they can be heard throughout the bus? * Tube Station Security Question No: 375 / 2006 Roger Evans Why have stations east of Barking have no operational information/help points? Does this not completely undermine the Mayor’s recent statements on the staffing of National Rail stations? *

14 Train Indicators Question No: 376 / 2006 Roger Evans Why does the westbound platform train indicator at Dagenham Heathway station simply indicated ‘Westbound District Line’ and ‘No Smoking’ instead of informing passengers of the arrival of the next few trains? * Gallows Corner Question No: 377 / 2006 Roger Evans Is the Mayor aware of the traffic problems at Gallows Corner following the expansion of the Tesco store? Will he consider some re-directing of traffic and some parking restrictions to counter the problems many drivers are having accessing the main road from the nearby estates? * Bus Stand at Barkingside Station Question No: 378 / 2006 Roger Evans Can the Mayor confirm current plans for a terminal bus stand for the Route 247 bus? What is the current situation with regards to a stand in the former coal yard at Barkingside Station? Is there a date for completion? * Bus Ticket Machines Question No: 379 / 2006 Roger Evans Can the Mayor please reveal the number of bus stops with ticket machines and the number of bus stops without on each night bus route? * N29 Question No: 380 / 2006 Roger Evans What assurances can the Mayor give to users of the N29 bus that they will not be fined if a ticket machine is not available when they get on the bus? * Failures on London Underground Question No: 381 / 2006 Roger Evans Can you please break down the figures given in answer to question 110/2006 on a month-by- month basis for each line from 2000 onwards? * Woolwich Arsenal - DLR Extension Question No: 382 / 2006 Roger Evans Why is the extension forecasted to be £2.1m over budget according to TfL Board papers for the 8th February meeting? * 15 High Speed Rail Question No: 383 / 2006 Roger Evans What advantages are there to Londoners and London businesses of High Speed Rail links as proposed by the Institution of Civil Engineers? Will the Mayor be lobbying the Government in support of the proposals? * Tube Train Doors Question No: 384 / 2006 Roger Evans How many incidents have there been in each of the last twelve months of Tube trains leaving stations with their doors still open - and on which lines? Why is this occurring? What is being done to prevent this from occurring? * Unison Use of London’s Living Room Question No: 385 / 2006 Roger Evans What are the arrangements for Unison using London’s Living Room? How often do they use the room? And what, if any, remuneration is sought by the Greater London Authority? * Fare Evasion Question No: 386 / 2006 Roger Evans What was the percentage of all fare evasion attributed to ‘Child Impersonation’ in the six months before the U16 Free Travel card scheme was implemented and in the six months afterwards. Also please provide the actual number of offences. Please provide TfL’s definition for ‘Child Impersonation’. * Fare Evasion Question No: 387 / 2006 Roger Evans Please provide the percentage of all fare evasion attributed to ‘Suspected 14-15’ in the six months before the U16 Free Travel card scheme was implemented and in the six months afterwards. Also please provide the actual number of offences. Please provide TfL’s definition for ‘Suspected 14-15’. * Fare Evasion Question No: 388 / 2006 Roger Evans Please provide any figures TfL have for ‘Aggressive Fare evasion (pushing past the driver)’ in each of the last 5 years. Please also provide this as a breakdown for the six months before the U16 Free Travel card scheme was implemented and in the six months afterwards. Please provide TfL’s definition for ‘Aggressive Fare evasion (pushing past the driver)’. *

16 Fare Evasion Question No: 389 / 2006 Roger Evans Please provide any figures TfL have for ‘Opportunistic fare evasion on Open Boarding Routes’ in each of the last 5 years. Please also provide this as a breakdown for the six months before the U16 Free Travel card scheme was implemented and in the six months afterwards. Please provide TfL’s definition for ‘Opportunistic fare evasion on Open Boarding Routes’. * Tally Ho Question No: 390 / 2006 Brian Coleman Can you provide an update on the enquiry being conducted by TfL into the fatal accident at Tally Ho, further to my question of 14th December? * Laybys on Falloden Way Question No: 391 / 2006 Brian Coleman Transport for London are proposing to infill four bus laybys on the A1 Falloden Way, in order to reduce bus journey times and congestion. Do you support this proposed scheme, or do you think that this scheme will increase journey times and congestion? * Re-Zoning Question No: 392 / 2006 Brian Coleman Following a prolonged campaign by local residents to have Hampstead Heath re-zoned from Zone 3 to Zone 2, have you given the matter any further consideration and will you join me in supporting the re-zoning? * London Bombings Question No: 393 / 2006 Brian Coleman You may be aware of my efforts to have the Chancellor waive Inheritance Tax on the estates of victims of terrorism and to fast track their estates, particularly for those victims of July 7th 2005 in London. Will you join me in calling for the government to waive Inheritance Tax on these estates, as is the practice for British soldiers killed in action? * Question No: 395 / 2006 Brian Coleman Can you provide figures for excess journey time for the Northern Line, in proportional percentage due to: A - Infraco action, B - London Underground action, and C - other /passenger action, for the two most recent periods (covering January and February 2006)? *

17 Northern Line Question No: 396 / 2006 Brian Coleman How many signal failures and multiple signal failures there have been on the Northern Line during the two most recent periods (covering January and February 2006)? * London Underground Staff Question No: 397 / 2006 Brian Coleman What was the average absence for Tube staff as set against London Underground’s forecast during the last six months? * London Underground Staff Question No: 398 / 2006 Brian Coleman What was the average absence for Tube drivers as set against London Underground¿s forecast during the last six months? * London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund Question No: 399 / 2006 Brian Coleman What is the total raised by the London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund so far? How much has been paid out to victims’ families? * C2 Bus Service Question No: 400 / 2006 Brian Coleman The C2 bus (double-decker) runs from the bottom of West Hill to Oxford Circus. Are you aware of the wishes of local people to run the service all the way up Highgate West Hill to connect Highgate Village to Oxford Circus? Will you give this serious consideration? * C11 Bus Service Question No: 401 / 2006 Brian Coleman Do you have any up-to-date information about the efficiency of the C11 bus (described by local residents as late, infrequent, with no night service), which runs roughly west-east from Brent Cross shopping centre, through Swiss Cottage, Belsize, South End Green, Dartmouth Park and Archway? *

18 Drug Offences in Barnet Question No: 402 / 2006 Brian Coleman Can you provide a breakdown of drug offences committed in Barnet for each year from 2000 broken down into the following categories? Possession, possession with intent to supply, trafficking * Drug Offences in Camden Question No: 403 / 2006 Brian Coleman Can you provide a breakdown of drug offences committed in Camden for each year from 2000 broken down into the following categories? Possession, possession with intent to supply, trafficking * Metropolitan Police Service Efficiency Savings Question No: 404 / 2006 Richard Barnes In response to question 139/2006 you stated that ‘it is not possible for the MPS to make final decisions on what each borough will be asked to save’ however at the Special Meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority on 17th November 2005 Assistant Commissioner Tim Godwin confirmed that each BOCU had been advised of an efficiency saving target, these had been identified by each BOCU and that a schedule would be provided to Members. This schedule has never been provided. Can the Mayor confirm whether: 1) BOCUs have been given specific efficiency saving targets? If so, how much? 2) BOCUs have submitted details of identified efficiency savings to New Scotland Yard for consideration? If so, please provide a copy of each BOCU submission. * Newham Parks Constabulary Question No: 405 / 2006 Richard Barnes Thank you for your answer to question 172/2006. Again, I would like to know what YOUR opinion is of Newham Parks Constabulary patrolling outside the designated areas of Newham parks and open spaces. Do you think it appropriate that they have arrested people outside the parks for offences ranging from shoplifting to immigration matters? * Police BOCU Priorities Question No: 406 / 2006 Richard Barnes Can you provide a list of crime reduction targets for each BOCU for 2006/07 broken down by each performance indicator? * *

19 Drug Offences in Hillingdon Question No: 408 / 2006 Richard Barnes Can you provide a breakdown of drug offences committed in Hillingdon for each year from 2000 broken down into the following categories? Possession, possession with intent to supply, trafficking. * Drug Offences in Ealing Question No: 409 / 2006 Richard Barnes Can you provide a breakdown of drug offences committed in Ealing for each year from 2000 broken down into the following categories? Possession, possession with intent to supply, trafficking * Drug Offences Question No: 410 / 2006 Richard Barnes How many street cautions did the Metropolitan Police Service issue each year from 2000 to date for the possession of drugs? Are these figures recorded within the crime statistics published by the Metropolitan Police Service? * Fatalities Following Police Contact Question No: 411 / 2006 Richard Barnes How many members of the public have died as a result of road traffic accidents involving police vehicles in London since 2000? Can you break this down year on year and by Borough? * Fatalities Following Police Contact Question No: 412 / 2006 Richard Barnes How many people have died in police custody since 2000? Can you break this down year on year and by Borough? * Taser Usage in London Question No: 413 / 2006 Richard Barnes How many times have Tasers been used in London since their introduction? Can you break this down by Borough? * Taser Usage in London Question No: 414 / 2006 Richard Barnes How many Metropolitan Police officers are trained in the use of Tasers?

20 * Protests outside Danish Embassy Question No: 415 / 2006 Richard Barnes Will you join me in condemning the small unrepresentative minority who protested outside the Danish Embassy with placards calling for further attacks similar to 7/7? * Bus Drivers and Fare Evasion Question No: 416 / 2006 Roger Evans According to a TfL presentation on ‘TfL Policy on Tackling Fare Evasion’, it is not only the responsibility of drivers to check tickets but an active policy of TfL to ‘re-engage drivers with their ticket checking responsibilities’. According to a trade union representative, ticket checking responsibility does not lie with drivers and this view is shared by drivers and unions alike. Can the Mayor clarify the role of bus drivers and ticket checking as there seems to be considerably differing views on this matter? * Capital Transport Campaign Question No: 417 / 2006 Roger Evans Does the Mayor regret the likely closing down of the Capital Transport Campaign? * Fare Evasion and Under 16s Question No: 418 / 2006 Roger Evans Given that, according to ‘TfL Policy on Tackling Fare Evasion’, over half of all fare evasion in 2004 was either child impersonation or ‘suspected 14-15’, does the Mayor agree that one of the benefits of the under 16 free travel policy will be a massive cut in fare evasion as the biggest culprits have been taken out of the equation? Will the Mayor ensure that fare evasion figures reflect the changes? * Construction Academy Question No: 420 / 2006 Darren Johnson Can you outline the reasons why the LDA does not believe that the option of a new build construction academy is sustainable or economically efficient? (MQT response 2373/2005) * Smoking Question No: 421 / 2006 Darren Johnson Will you consider a London ‘stub out your cigarette before you throw it away’ campaign? *

21 Reforestation Question No: 422 / 2006 Darren Johnson What consideration is the Mayor giving to reforestation and tree planting as a means of combating London’s air pollution? * Charge Notices Question No: 423 / 2006 Darren Johnson What regulations, Road Traffic Acts, Codes of Practice etc. do private enforcement companies have to comply with when issuing Charge Notices on behalf of the LDA or other functional bodies, and by whom are they regulated? * Olympics and Hackney Marshes Question No: 424 / 2006 Darren Johnson Now that you have abandoned your plans for temporary Olympics parking at Fish Island in favour of using permanent parking facilities at Stratford City, can you also apply similar creative thinking to avoid building on Hackney Marshes as well? * Crystal Palace Park Consultation Question No: 425 / 2006 Darren Johnson A local resident has written to me to complain that when he viewed the proposals for Crystal Palace Park his three grandchildren who accompanied him (aged from 6 years to 18 months) were also counted as attendees. Does the LDA know how many adults actually attended to view the proposals? * Crystal Palace Park Consultation Question No: 426 / 2006 Darren Johnson How many of the respondents to the Crystal Palace Park consultation objected to the building of housing or the sell off of land for housing? * Construction Standards in the Thames Gateway Question No: 427 / 2006 Darren Johnson In response to MQT number 20/2006 on promoting a high quality of construction in the Thames Gateway, you stated that the GLA Architecture and Urbanism Unit (AUU) are ‘working closely with’ the Development Corporation and the local authorities to achieve high standards of design and construction on housing developments. On the question of the quality of construction (as opposed to sustainable construction or design quality), what - specifically - is the AUU doing in its work with the Development Corporation and local planning authorities to promote a high standard? *

22 Reducing Energy Use Question No: 428 / 2006 Darren Johnson A number of older people have questioned the advice given in your recent winter warmth campaign initiative, arguing that the recommended temperatures of 70-75 degrees F may be too high for those who are fit and healthy, and are concerned that following this advice would unnecessarily waste energy. How will you ensure future advice is tailored to meet different needs? * Sustainable Communities Bill Question No: 429 / 2006 Darren Johnson Given your stated desire to promote local economies, promote local services and facilities, protect the environment, reduce social exclusion and increase involvement in the democratic process, do you support the Sustainable Communities Bill and will you write to all London MPs, asking them to support the Bill and sign EDM (Early Day Motion) No. 641? * Biodiesel and Buses Question No: 430 / 2006 Darren Johnson What would be the benefits of running TfL buses on biodiesel? Does TfL have plans to introduce biodiesel for its buses? * Clays Lane Question No: 431 / 2006 Darren Johnson Clays Lane residents were originally told they would not be moving until 2008 and have also been told that the neighbouring freezer plant will not close until 2009. While five years has been allowed for the preparation, planning and construction of the Athletes’ Village, only eighteen months has been allowed for the relocation of Clays Lane residents who have been living on this site, a former landfill, for up to twenty-five years. Does the Mayor agree this is timetable appears completely imbalanced and in need of review? * Clays Lane Question No: 432 / 2006 Darren Johnson The Clays Lane relocation programme is meant to include community moves into purpose built housing but so far no land has been identified. Given that it would seem extremely unlikely that such housing could be built in the eighteen months allowed, does the Mayor agree that the relocation timetable should be extended to enable the proper fulfillment of this commitment? * Clays Lane Question No: 433 / 2006 Darren Johnson The programme of providing purpose built housing for Clays Lane residents includes access to design on the part of tenants. So far no assistance or information for tenants has been forthcoming. Does the Mayor agree it is essential to respond to tenants who have created a 23 team to work on this and have been waiting for so long to contribute to the design of their future housing? * Clays Lane Question No: 434 / 2006 Darren Johnson Due to a failure to properly survey Clays Lane tenants the LDA is now unsure how many tenants want to move collectively. The Fluid survey undertaken in summer 2004 found that 150 tenants were keen on this with another 50 also showing some interest. However, the LDA chose not to update this survey in 2005 but instead, in conjunction with CBHA, launched a much more restrictive survey which failed to ask this and other crucial questions. Does the Mayor agree it is essential for the LDA to gather proper information for its own benefit as well as for the benefit of tenants? * Clays Lane Question No: 435 / 2006 Darren Johnson Clays Lane tenants have been waiting since summer 2005 for proper information on both community and individual moves. Tenants are supposed to be able to compare options before making a choice yet are unable to do so because no information has been provided. The first moves are already happening. Tenants are very concerned that this has been done before essential information is available. Can the Mayor say when such information will be provided and does he agree that tenants must be given enough time to make up for this delay and to consider the options available to them once such information is available? * Clays Lane Question No: 436 / 2006 Darren Johnson Given the LDA lodged its Olympic Planning Application at the end of 2003 and was preparing the bid much earlier, tenants are astonished by the lack of preparation for their move, particularly in light of the narrow timetable for it. Does the Mayor agree that it would be wrong for tenants to be penalised for the failure of the LDA to prepare properly for their move and that the programme must be made more flexible to meet their needs? * Clays Lane Question No: 437 / 2006 Darren Johnson In a previous answer the Mayor promised Clays Lane residents would receive an ‘improvement’ in their housing in terms of quality, space, standards and amenities. However, in addition to their housing at Clays Lane, residents enjoy a range of facilities including low rents and bills which include council tax and service charge, free car parking, a bus route to their estate, a community centre with housing and maintenance services on site, courtyard boilers which provide plentiful hot water and central heating, pleasantly designed courtyards and a sociable community which provides an important network of support. Tenants are concerned that, particularly for those making individual moves, they will not receive facilities to match those they are being required to leave. This is particularly the case for those ‘vulnerable’ tenants who are already being moved before a proper advice service is in place. What is the Mayor doing to ensure that the needs of these tenants are being properly considered? *

24 Clays Lane Question No: 438 / 2006 Darren Johnson The Mayor has made promises which, if implemented, would provide real benefits for Clays Lane tenants. Yet statements made by both the LDA and CBHA that there will be ‘winners and losers’ have reduced tenants’ confidence in the Legacy promises. Would the Mayor be prepared to meet with tenants to discuss these issues and work to make the relocation a success? * Redbridge allotments Question No: 439 / 2006 Darren Johnson Given your support for allotments will you make representations to the London Borough of Redbridge on behalf of allotment holders at Lincoln Road, South Woodford and other allotment-holders in the borough in order to safeguard the future of the allotment sites and prevent them being lost to development? * Queen’s Road/ Lausanne Road Junction Question No: 440 / 2006 Darren Johnson Given how dangerous the junction is between Queen’s Road, Lausanne Road and Pomeroy Street on the Southwark/Lewisham border, why are there no current plans to install red-light cameras or CCTV equipment? * Nuclear Trains Risk Assessment Question No: 441 / 2006 Darren Johnson Can you update us on your latest thinking regarding a nuclear trains risk assessment? * Renewable Energy Question No: 442 / 2006 Darren Johnson Which London Boroughs have now followed Merton in establishing renewable energy targets for new developments in their UDPs or Local Development Frameworks in line with your energy strategy? * * Mountain Biking Provision Question No: 444 / 2006 Jenny Jones Will the relocation of the Eastway Cycle Circuit to Rammey Marsh during the Olympics construction phase lead to reduced provision for mountain biking and cyclocross in London? Do you agree that the Olympics should be used to increase provision for and participation in grassroots cycle sport, including off-road riding?

25 Olympic Sponsorship Question No: 445 / 2006 Jenny Jones What ethical and environmental criteria will be applied to selection of Olympic sponsors? When do you expect LOCOG’s procurement policies to be published? * Olympics Automotive Sponsor Question No: 446 / 2006 Jenny Jones Will the automotive fleet for the Olympics Games be provided through external sponsorship? In seeking an automotive sponsor for the Games, will LOCOG specify that zero-carbon vehicles should be provided? * Borthwick Wharf and Payne’s Wharf Question No: 447 / 2006 Jenny Jones Greenwich Planning Board has recently approved plans for the demolition of Borthwick Wharf and conversion of Payne’s Wharf. You will now have the option of directing refusal on these plans (PDU/0193JF13). Can you assure me that the London Plan Blue Ribbon policies relevant to this strategic site will be given their full weight in your final decision? * Zone 1 Question No: 448 / 2006 Jenny Jones Do you fear that the abolition of the Zone One Travelcard will encourage those living within both Zone One and the extended congestion zone to use private cars rather than the tube? * 225 Bus Route Question No: 449 / 2006 Jenny Jones Why is TfL withdrawing the 225 bus route between Canary Wharf and Bermondsey tube stations, despite the fact those with mobility problems will now be forced to cross the busy Salter road to use alternative services? * London Climate Change Agency Question No: 450 / 2006 Jenny Jones How will the public be informed about the work of the London Climate Change Agency? * North Circular Road - TfL properties Question No: 451 / 2006 Jenny Jones Given the continuing blight along the North Circular at and an optimistic completion date of 2010, will the Mayor ensure that TfL immediately seeks to put all its houses along the route back into residential use and ensures that they are maintained to a high standard?

26 * Bowes Road: Maintenance of Street Furniture etc Question No: 452 / 2006 Jenny Jones Given the blighted appearance of parts of Bowes Road shopping area, will the Mayor ensure that TfL works to tip the balance away from an urban motorway towards a local shopping and business centre by improving the environment for pedestrians with cosmetic measures such as improved street furniture and paving? * NCR Scheme: Implementation Question No: 454 / 2006 Jenny Jones Will the Mayor support the immediate introduction of the proposed westbound bus lane along the North Circular leading to Green Lanes? * NCR Scheme: Road Safety Question No: 455 / 2006 Jenny Jones Given the current high level of casualties along Bowes Road/Telford Road section of the North Circular, will the Mayor support reducing the speed limit immediately to 30mph throughout this section? * NCR Scheme: Road Safety Question No: 456 / 2006 Jenny Jones Will the Mayor support a road safety awareness campaign targeted at the unacceptably high level of collisions along Bowes Road/Telford Road to increase drivers’ awareness of the hazards from junctions and other vehicles and to drive appropriately for the road conditions? * NCR Scheme: Road Safety Question No: 457 / 2006 Jenny Jones Will the Mayor confirm whether a lack of maintenance on the Bowes Road/Telford Road section of the North Circular has contributed to collisions through poor road surface, poor road markings including yellow box junctions, poor signage or poor lighting? If improvements are identified in these areas, will he support immediate steps to implement them? * NCR Scheme: Traffic Reduction Question No: 458 / 2006 Jenny Jones Given the immediate problems of congestion, road safety and pollution along the Bowes Road/Telford Road section of the North Circular, will the Mayor ask TfL to set a realistic target for traffic reduction along this section, and ensure that TfL provides sufficient funding for staff to work on Green Travel Plans for businesses and Personalised Travel Plans for individuals? *

27 NCR Scheme: Completion Date Question No: 459 / 2006 Jenny Jones Are you concerned that the optimistic completion date of 2010 for the TfL North Circular scheme will slip and become entangled in the preparations for the Olympics? * NCR Scheme: Rat Running Question No: 460 / 2006 Jenny Jones Is the Mayor aware that the £4m currently allotted by TfL to mitigate rat-running in adjacent residential streets will not be sufficient to meet the need and is likely to leave some streets without any protection from excess traffic and speeding? * Give and Take Days Question No: 461 / 2006 Darren Johnson Following the success of Camden’s ‘Give and Take Day’, will you be encouraging all London boroughs to hold similar events to encourage reuse and reduce waste? Would you back a pan- London ‘Give and Take Day’? * Affordable Homes Question No: 462 / 2006 Jenny Jones What is the total affordable housing stock in London and what has been the total stock for each of the last 5 years? * Affordable Homes Question No: 463 / 2006 Jenny Jones How many affordable homes were lost from the total stock in London in each of the last 5 years? * Affordable Homes Question No: 464 / 2006 Jenny Jones How many additional affordable homes were added to the total stock in London in the last 5 years? * Affordable Homes Question No: 465 / 2006 Jenny Jones How can you prevent the loss of existing affordable housing stock more effectively? *

28 Transport in Camberwell Question No: 473 / 2006 Valerie Shawcross Local residents and Councillors are campaigning for improved transport links to Camberwell. They propose a Camberwell branch of the Cross River Tram, a new mainline railway station and an extension of the to Camberwell. Do you agree with me that the heavy demand for bus services in Camberwell demonstrates a need for larger scale rapid transportation schemes for the area - such as a tram link, overground train station or tube link and that Camberwell should be a priority area for improvements of this kind in the next draft Transport Strategy? * Penalty Fares on London Buses Question No: 474 / 2006 Jennette Arnold I am concerned to hear about instances where passengers are being summoned to court without being given the opportunity to pay a penalty fare. Can you assure me that this is not TfL’s policy and what action will you take to prevent it happening? * SUSTRANS GOAL 2012 Question No: 475 / 2006 Valerie Shawcross Has TfL been consulated on the SUSTRANS GOAL 2012 proposals for a network of traffic free cycling and walking routes including the proposal for a new river crossing linking Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf to be in place in time for the Olympics? Does Tfl have any views? * Mini Motorbikes Question No: 476 / 2006 Valerie Shawcross Many parts of Lambeth & Southwark are plagued with illegally ridden mini motorbikes and scooters. The police are frustrated at their inability to catch the riders of these bikes. One police sergeant in Southwark has suggested that it would be helpful if the police motorcycle task force could be expanded as although they do not pursue mini motors, he has found that the presence of police motorcycles encourages the bikes to stop. Will you investigate the possibility of expanding the use of police motorcycles to address this problem? * Route 137 Question No: 477 / 2006 Valerie Shawcross I have received complaints from residents in Clapham and Streatham regarding TfL’s plans to slightly reduce peak time service frequency along the most southerly stretch of the 137 bus route. TfL believe that the new route, 452, to be introduced between Wandsworth Road and Kensal Rise will reduce demand along the 137 route. However, I feel that this would disadvantage residents who live further south than Wandsworth Road. I submitted my concerns on behalf of local residents to the consultation on this proposal which has recently closed. Will you join me in urging TfL to ensure that the concerns of Streatham and Clapham residents are taken fully into account before a decision is made on the future of the route?

*

29 Weymouth Court Residents Association, Tulse Hill Question No: 478 / 2006 Valerie Shawcross I have recently been contacted by the Weymouth Court Residents’ Association, in Tulse Hill who in the past few months have experienced horrifically high amounts of fly-tipping, illegal parking, and prostitutes routinely `entertaining’ clients on their estate. The local Councillors are trying to take action. Do you agree with me that the forthcoming introduction of a Safer Neighbourhood Team in Tulse Hill will be of tremendous benefit to the council and local police as they work with the residents to restore Weymouth Court to a safe and pleasant place for families to live and that the roll out of Safer Neighbourhood Teams across London is to be welcomed and safeguarded? * Lambeth Shops and Parking Question No: 479 / 2006 Valerie Shawcross I have been in contact recently with several small business owners from across Lambeth, who are suffering badly as a result of the Councils’ over stringent parking controls and a lack of short stay parking bays for shoppers. I recently attended a public meeting hosted by the Kennington Association and met several more unhappy shopkeepers and I am now undertaking a survey of shopkeepers to ascertain the extent of the problem. The shops often form the hub of the communities they serve and their loss is extremely damaging to local people and the local economy. Will you give a commitment that TfL will work to assist Lambeth with finding suitable solutions, such as the use of bus lanes for short stay parking during hours when the bus routes are not operational, and finding more short stay parking and loading bays along and adjacent to TFL red routes? * Crystal Palace Park Question No: 480 / 2006 Valerie Shawcross Will you join me in welcoming the initial results of the recent consultation on the future of Crystal Palace Park, which showed a 92% approval rate for achieving access for all in the park and 77% support for a rebuild of the National Sports Centre, which comes into the LDA’s ownership next month? Will you also join me in a commitment that the public’s comments on all aspects of the proposals for the park will now be carefully considered to find a way forward which makes full use of the parks potential, whilst addressing the concerns of local people surrounding some aspects of the plans? * Safety at Overground Stations Question No: 481 / 2006 Jennette Arnold I welcome the joint-funded safety improvements at London Fields station in Hackney, which include help points, CCTV and improved lighting. When can my constituents using ONE stations further north on the lines to Chingford and Hertford expect to see similar facilities? * Intelligent Speed Cameras Question No: 482 / 2006 John Biggs It is common practice for drivers to slow to the speed limit on reaching a speed camera but to then accelerate again. With this in mind, what progress has there been with developing the 30 linking of speed cameras so that they can detect drivers who speed between cameras on dangerous stretches of road? * Exams Question No: 483 / 2006 John Biggs Do you agree that the introduction of greater numbers of GNVQs into London school curriculums has diluted the value of 5 good GCSE scores, or is it that the crude measure of GCSEs is inadequate? * View Management Question No: 484 / 2006 John Biggs What is your current position on strategic view management and do you accept any of the criticisms of this? * Silvertown Crossing Question No: 485 / 2006 John Biggs Do you foresee any progress with this important proposal? * Theft on Tube Trains Question No: 486 / 2006 John Biggs Is this a growing problem and what steps can be taken to reduce its incidence? * On-Line Reporting of Crime Question No: 487 / 2006 John Biggs Are arrangements for the on-line reporting of crimes adequate and adequately publicised? Is this a route to be encouraged? * PPP Contractors Question No: 488 / 2006 John Biggs Do you feel the Underground PPP contractors are beginning to get a grip on their programmes and what are the key milestones for 2006/7? * Parliament Square Question No: 489 / 2006 John Biggs Will there be progress with landscaping proposals for this square during your current term? *

31 Bus Lane Cameras Question No: 490 / 2006 John Biggs Can you give figures for penalty notices issued for bus lane infringements on routes in Tower Hamlets, Newham, Barking and Dagenham and the City of London? Where a particular spot attracts many infringements does TfL have a standard process for investigating and, where this can be done, taking steps to clarify any uncertainties where these might cause accidental infringements? * 118 Bus Route Question No: 491 / 2006 Valerie Shawcross Cllr David Malley of Streatham South has asked me question you about bus services in Streatham Vale. He is concerned that although an extra 118 will be specified for the new contract in the mornings in the direction of Morden there is no clear commitment to also run an extra 118 towards Brixton? He explains that residents of Streatham Vale have only two bus services (118 and 60) and in the mornings are predominantly travelling to Streatham Station and Brixton rather than Morden. A good many also travel from just over the boundary in Merton to Streatham Common station. An additional Brixton bound bus would be most helpful them. He has asked me to urge you that the letting of the new contract should be used as an opportunity to look at timetable co-ordination - the spacing of 118s and 60s. These overlap for much of their route, but appear timetabled to run at more or less the same time. People waiting for a bus down Streatham Vale at the old Streatham garage are often frustrated to see a 60 waiting for some time. Finally a 118 comes into sight from Brixton - and only then does the 60 start its engine and proceed in company with the 118 down Greyhound Lane and Streatham Vale! Better spacing of these services would deliver a very marked improvement to the bus service in Streatham Vale. Your comments and support would be appreciated. * Bus Accessibility Question No: 492 / 2006 Valerie Shawcross Mr Patrick Horan of Southwark Disablement Association asked me to thank you for your last reply and TfL for sending an officer to examine buses with him. However he has asked me to submit this follow up question. ‘ Mr Mayor, you are only hearing the figures that TfL want you to hear. These figures are greatly massaged much like the poll on the Routemaster Buses that Andrew Gilligan kept citing. On 31st January I spent the afternoon with Mike Weston, the Operations Director of TfL. We went to Canada Water Terminus, out of 8 buses we inspected, 3 failed the test, that is 37.5%. Across the whole bus network that is a lot of buses. Yes, there have been big improvements, but we have a long way to go before the network is fully inclusive for everyone.’ Will you please comment?

Languages Question No: 493 / 2006 Murad Qureshi Given your recent encouragement for Londoners to learn Mandarin, will the GLA be celebrating UNESCO mother tongue day? *

32 London Planetarium Question No: 494 / 2006 Murad Qureshi Madam Tussauds are planning to close the Planetarium. Is there anything you could do as Mayor? * Security at Overground Stations Question No: 495 / 2006 Murad Qureshi You recently stated that the TOCs should pay for more policing and security measures on our overground stations - if you had authority over the TOCs what level of policing and security would you like to see? * Electricity on London Underground Question No: 496 / 2006 Mike Tuffrey What is your response to Charles Secrett, who says you face ‘a key strategic decision’ concerning the provision of electricity from renewable sources for London Underground, which is London’s largest single consumer of electricity? * GLA Solar Panels Question No: 497 / 2006 Mike Tuffrey What plans are in place to fit solar panels to GLA buildings? * Zero-emissions Question No: 498 / 2006 Geoff Pope What financial incentives will you provide to encourage heavy goods vehicles and coaches to adopt zero-emission technologies? * Interceptor Tunnel Question No: 499 / 2006 Mike Tuffrey What discussions are you currently having with Thames Water, OFWAT and Government Departments over the funding of the Interceptor Tunnel? *

Water Question No: 500 / 2006 Mike Tuffrey In the light of recent figures on rainfall in the Thames Water region, what can the GLA really do to help ensure that water supplies in the South East are managed effectively? In particular, how can strategic planning powers relating to new developments in Thames Gateway Area reduce the danger of further water shortages? 33 * Recycling Figures Question No: 502 / 2006 Mike Tuffrey According to recent figures from Defra, the proportion of waste being recycled or composted by some London Boroughs will need to increase by up to five times in order to meet the national target of 30% by 2010. Given that your proposal for a Single Waste Authority could not be in place until 2008, and that your revised Municipal Waste Strategy will not be finalised until mid 2007, what immediate steps will you take to address this problem and to increase London’s capacity to recycle and compost waste? * Thames Water Question No: 503 / 2006 Mike Tuffrey What was discussed at your meeting with James Pelczer of Thames Water on 18th January and what outcomes were agreed? * Wheelchair-accessible Housing Question No: 504 / 2006 Dee Doocey Research by John Grooms Housing Association (JGHA) has shown that only four London boroughs make a clear reference to the ten percent target for wheelchair-accessible housing in their planning and housing frameworks. What action will you take to ensure that boroughs take responsibilities in this area more seriously? * Accessible Housing Question No: 505 / 2006 Dee Doocey What progress has been made in setting up a London-wide accessible housing register? * Safer Neighbourhoods Teams Question No: 506 / 2006 Graham Tope Will the Met be able to complete the 4-officer Safer Neighbourhood Team roll-out by April 2006 without any damage to existing teams or services to Londoners? * Safer Neighbourhood Teams Question No: 507 / 2006 Dee Doocey How have Borough Commanders responded to the short notice you have given to them in order to roll-out the 4-officer Safer Neighbourhood Teams? *

34 Safer Neighbourhood Teams Question No: 508 / 2006 Graham Tope How much of the decision to roll-out advance Safer Neighbourhood Teams by April 2006 is driven by the May 2006 local elections rather than operational viability? * Community Engagement Question No: 509 / 2006 Graham Tope Neighbourhood policing is successful when the local community is involved. Public meetings are not generally well-attended events. How is the Metropolitan Police working to engage with all members of society, some of whom may not associate themselves with their community or established community groups? * Violent Protests in London Question No: 510 / 2006 Graham Tope Will you update me on progress with investigating the violent protests in London on 3 and 4 February 2006? * BOCU Efficiency Savings Question No: 511 / 2006 Graham Tope Now that your 2006/07 final draft budget has been published, can you detail the efficiency savings each Borough Operational Command Unit will have to make? * Racial and Religious Hatred Bill Question No: 512 / 2006 Graham Tope Are you pleased that the Government was defeated on the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill? * * Olympic Park Design Change Question No: 514 / 2006 Dee Doocey With the change in design to the Olympic Park, will the International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre still be developed into an inward investment centre after the Games, as specified in the Candidate File? * Childcare Affordability Programme Question No: 515 / 2006 Dee Doocey Please provide details of any bids that have been received by the LDA from boroughs for round 2 of Childcare Affordability Programme funding. *

35 Olympic Park Negotiations Question No: 516 / 2006 Dee Doocey Please provide details of negotiations that have taken place between the LDA and businesses that are being relocated from the Olympic Park, including additional businesses identified, following the redesign of the plans. * Parking at the Olympic Park Question No: 517 / 2006 Dee Doocey Will the redesign of the Olympic Park affect the total number of parking places available? * Wembley Stadium Question No: 518 / 2006 Dee Doocey How will you work with all parties to get the Wembley Stadium back on track? What advice has the LDA received about the projected completion date? * Security on the Rail Network Question No: 519 / 2006 Geoff Pope Given your recent announcements about safety on the rail network why did your initial budget proposals include a £1m reduction in policing and security on overground rail? * BTP Officers Question No: 520 / 2006 Graham Tope Following publication of the Liberal Democrat plans to fund 272 BTP officers on London’s suburban rail trains and stations, we note your revised proposals for passenger safety, which reverse a cut from £9.9m to £8.9m in your original proposals. Are you not selling Londoners short with your plan for just 89 officers and your deal with One and Hackney Borough? If you are going to borrow Liberal Democrat policies, could you actually implement the whole policy?

BTP Officers Question No: 521 / 2006 Graham Tope Can you outline how the BTP officers you are funding will be deployed on rail lines in South London? Will this reflect the most recent figures for reported crime at South London rail stations? *

36 BTP Officers Question No: 522 / 2006 Graham Tope While your funding of 45 BTP officers on the North London Line is most welcome, why was this your priority rather than those rail franchises where reported crime is highest? * * Articulated Buses Question No: 524 / 2006 Geoff Pope While articulated buses provide greatly enhanced capacity and shorter dwell times, it appears they may not be appropriate on all routes where there is high demand. Are you willing in principle to consider replacing them with modern double decker buses on routes where there are difficulties? * Cross Border Free Travel on Buses Question No: 525 / 2006 Graham Tope Can you explain why London Buses agreed to transfer the K10 Epsom General Hospital- Kingston bus route to Surrey County Council with the effect that now not only is the route being terminated at Worcester Park, but that over 60 and under 18 passenger holders of free travel passes cannot now use them, even within the GLA boundary? * Low Emission Zone Surveillance Question No: 526 / 2006 Geoff Pope Can you confirm that when your Low Emission Zone is introduced in 2008, the ANPR cameras will capture images of all vehicles entering the Zone, and not just those of HGVs? * Thameslink Box Question No: 527 / 2006 Graham Tope No doubt you share our delight and surprise that the Department for Transport has after a delay of many months finally agreed to fit out the ‘Thameslink Box’ next to the St Pancras Eurostar terminal so that Thameslink passengers have functioning railway platforms there. What confidence do you have that these platforms will be ready for passengers to use when Eurostar opens the St Pancras terminal in 2007? *

Biofuels Question No: 528 / 2006 Geoff Pope We welcome the recent introduction of hybrid buses on the 360 route. Can you provide an update on the trials of the zero emission hydrogen fuel cell buses on the RV1 route, and on the prospect for biofuels within the vehicle fleet managed by Transport for London? *

37 Step Free Access on Stations Question No: 529 / 2006 Sally Hamwee In view of frequent criticism from wheelchair users and others with mobility problems that lifts at stations with step-free access are difficult to use, what can be done to ensure that wheelchair users are actively involved in the re-design of such lifts as your step-free access programme at Tube stations is rolled out? * Folded Bikes on Tube Lines Question No: 530 / 2006 Geoff Pope Can you confirm that there is one single set of rules for taking folded bicycles on all Underground lines, and can you outline these rules? * Wheelchair Ramps on Buses Question No: 531 / 2006 Graham Tope Despite determined efforts by London Buses, it remains the reported experience of many wheelchair users that roughly one in four wheelchair ramps on buses do not work. Is it possible to introduce a hotline so that users can report such failures on their mobile phones at the time when they happen? * Silverlink Metro Rail Franchise Question No: 532 / 2006 Geoff Pope Please update us on the progress of your negotiations with the Department for Transport about your taking over supervision of the Silverlink Metro rail franchise. When do you expect to be able to make an announcement? * Regeneration in Peckham Question No: 533 / 2006 Graham Tope In your Answer to Question 43/2006 you highlighted the importance of improved public transport in supporting regeneration in Lambeth and Southwark, particularly in areas such as Peckham. Phase 2 of the East London Line extensions would powerfully contribute to such regeneration. Please detail the meetings you have held in the last three months with the Department for Transport to press for Phase 2 to be fully funded

River Crossings in East London Question No: 534 / 2006 Graham Tope Do you regard it as acceptable that after 9pm in the evening there should be no way of getting a motor vehicle across the Thames between Tower Bridge and the Dartford Crossing? This situation occurs when ongoing work in the Blackwall Tunnel coincides with regular maintenance in the Rotherhithe Tunnel and can add at least half an hour to a crossing that should take five minutes. Can you use your influence to ensure that such closures do not in future happen on the same evenings?

38 * Work on the Blackwall Tunnel Question No: 535 / 2006 Graham Tope Can you please provide an update on progress of work on the Blackwall Tunnel, and give an updated estimate on when you expect the work to be finally concluded, and normal operation of both the north and south tunnels to be restored? * Archway Road Fencing Question No: 536 / 2006 Geoff Pope In your Answer to Question 46/2006, you state that London Underground are working towards finding the best solution for the longer term to the problems raised for residents by the fence along the Archway Road outside Highgate Tube Station. Please itemise the work that London Underground has carried out on this matter in the last three months, detailing the meetings that they have held either with local residents or with elected representatives. * * American International Group Question No: 538 / 2006 Sally Hamwee What did you discuss with Nicholas Walsh on 7th February 2006? * China Question No: 539 / 2006 Mike Tuffrey How will you select the representatives from London business that will accompany you on your trip to China in April? * Voter Registration Question No: 540 / 2006 Sally Hamwee How will the success of this project be monitored? Will it be in by increased numbers on the electoral registers, or by seeing increased turnout at the borough elections this May? * Droit de Suite Question No: 541 / 2006 Peter Hulme Cross In a House of Lords debate on the damaging imposition of the EU Droit de Suite Directive, Lord Willoughby de Broke made the following statement: ‘The final pathetic note in this sorry story was struck by members of the London Assembly the other day when they proposed that their mayor, Ken Livingstone, should try to persuade the New York and Zurich art markets to introduce the droit de suite there. I imagine that that was just before they went down to the garden to talk to the fairies about what they wanted for breakfast.’ Is the Mayor seriously going to take up the suggestion of wasting public money by lobbying New York to introduce the terms of an EU Directive which will damage their market in the same way as it will damage London’s?

39 * Overseas Offices Question No: 542 / 2006 Damian Hockney Is the Mayor aware of any cities that have emulated him by opening offices in London to promote themselves as he is planning to do in Beijing and Shanghai? * Police Control of Photographers at Marches Question No: 543 / 2006 Damian Hockney Why were the police trying to stop the press from taking photographs of the central London march protesting against the Danish cartoons? Were police instructed in advance to restrict the press from doing their job, and if so why and by whom? * Forced Labour at the 2012 Olympics Question No: 545 / 2006 Damian Hockney Does the Mayor agree with Home Secretary Charles Clarke that London should follow the lead of the 1936 Hitler Olympics and use forced labour to prepare for the 2012 Olympics? * * Bus Driving Standards Question No: 547 / 2006 Peter Hulme Cross Michael Gilmartin of Hoddesdon claims that while waiting to make a right hand turn, a bendy bus drove into his car causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage. The driver of the bus was apologetic and stated, in broken English: ‘I sorry, I new driver’. Mr Gilmartin’s allegation that ‘driving standards [of buses] have fallen to an all-time low’ correct. Is this not a serious matter? * Multiplex Contracts Question No: 548 / 2006 Bob Blackman Multiplex has indicated that it will not be bidding for contracts for the development of Olympic venues, what is the implication for ensuring that competitive bids are obtained? * Wembley Station Completion Date Question No: 549 / 2006 Bob Blackman What progress has been made towards the achieving the completion of Wembley Stadium by the deadline of 31st March 2006? * Additional Car Parking at Stanmore Station Question No: 550 / 2006 Bob Blackman What progress has been made on providing additional car parking at Stanmore Station as part of the proposed redevelopment? 40 * * Future of the 350 Bus Service Question No: 552 / 2006 Bob Blackman What has been the result of the consultation by TfL on the future of the 350 bus service, which is recognised as a key service for residents in the Headstone Lane area? * Compensation for Wembley Residents Question No: 553 / 2006 Bob Blackman What pressure has been applied to force Wembley National Stadium Ltd and Multiplex to provide compensation for local residents who have suffered severe interference to TV reception as a result of the Wembley Stadium development? * Consultation on London’s Casinos Question No: 554 / 2006 Bob Blackman What communication has taken place with the Casino Advisory Panel about the potential sites for casinos in London? *

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