Written Answers to questions not asked or answered at Mayor’s Question Time on 17 December 2008

Funding the 24-hour Freedom Pass Question No: 2901 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon What are your intentions with regard to Boroughs funding the 24-hour Freedom Pass, and what are their implications for the budget of Transport for London? Oral Answer

Rough Sleeping Question No: 2950 / 2008 Steve O’Connell What measures does the Mayor propose to take in order to meet his goal of ending rough sleeping by 2012? Why has government intervention thus far, whilst making some progress, not yet achieved this desired result, and what more needs to be done? Oral Answer

LCN+ (1) Question No: 2697 / 2008 Jenny Jones How many LCN+ borough cycling schemes put forward for 2009/10 were riminali in the Transport for London settlement with the boroughs? What is the total number of schemes which have either gone, or are going, through the LCN+ CRISP study process, and now remain without funding? Oral Answer

MPA Chair Question No: 2733 / 2008 John Biggs How attentive to MPA business are you as MPA Chair? Oral Answer

Congestion Charge Question No: 3014 / 2008 Victoria Borwick As a Christmas present to Londoners and in view of the current economic situation would the mayor consider using his powers to bring forward by a week the advertised free period for the Congestion Charge which currently runs from 25th December to 1st January? Oral Answer

Immigration Amnesty Question No: 2736 / 2008 John Biggs How would people qualify for your earned immigration amnesty? Answer from the Mayor: Failed immigration policies over the number of years have left London with thousands of people living here illegally. These people impact on London’s services and are not able to fully contribute to the rest of society. We are keen to tap into the skills of many of those people. It is nonsense for a qualified engineer to drive a minicab when there’s a shortage of engineers in London. It is crazy for a doctor to be waiting tables in the West End restaurant when the NHS needs their skills.

But let me make it clear that I am not seeking to reward people who are here illegally. The right thing to do is that they are deported. However this is not happening and it could take many years to just deport the people who are now here. This amnesty is a practical response to the continuing failure to deport.

Practically an earned amnesty demonstrates that a migrant is committed to this country. So we also need to explore what this should be. For example it could include length of time in the country, no involvement in crime and ability to command and learn English and perhaps references. We think instinctively there is a case for them to remain in the UK.

Safer Travel at Night Question No: 2980 / 2008 Richard Tracey What plans does TfL have to ensure that the ‘Safer Travel at Night’ campaign is as effective as possible over the Christmas period? Oral Answer

Review of planning and contractual arrangements Question No: 2739 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What are the objectives of the independent review on the planning and contractual arrangements concerning the bus network? Oral Answer

Decentralised Energy Question No: 3010 / 2008 Gareth Bacon Can you confirm that there will be a several fold increase in the LDA’s riminalized energy budget? On what specific measures will this money be spent? What should be the role of the GLA in the development of riminalized energy in London, and in what ways can actions by the GLA add value?

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Estate Redevelopment and housing numbers Question No: 2737 / 2008 John Biggs Would it be a fraud on Londoners to claim that 1:1 replacement of rented homes in estate redevelopments counts towards the new homes target? If not, why not? Oral Answer

Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants Question No: 2650 / 2008 Richard Barnbrook Taking into account your proposed amnesty for illegal immigrants, how do you think your policy will impact not only on London’s under pressure labour market but on the considerable number of homeless people, many of whom are ex-servicemen, who will be sleeping on the streets of this city throughout the winter? Oral Answer

Criminalising young people Question No: 2964 / 2008 James Cleverly What action will you take in the full youth strategy to ensure young people do not become riminalized by behaviour that would have traditionally been viewed as part of growing up? Oral Answer

Christmas present to Londoners Question No: 2742 / 2008 John Biggs What is your Christmas present to Londoners? Oral Answer

Outer London Commission Question No: 2992 / 2008 Roger Evans What steps will you take to ensure that your commission for outer London truly represents views of residents in the suburbs? Oral Answer

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Priority Parks Question No: 2843 / 2008 Murad Qureshi Which parks are to benefit from the £6m promised in your manifesto? What improvements have been scheduled for these parks & by when? Answer from the Mayor: Londoners are currently voting to decide which ten parks from a list of 47 will receive funding. An indication of the improvements that would be made to each of the 47 parks is listed on my website, but these include better footpaths, more lighting for safety, opening cafes, refurbishing public toilets, providing new playgrounds and facilities for children, and improved cycle routes.

A panel is also assessing which of six particularly deserving parks requiring significant investment to transform them is the best candidate for a larger grant. I expect to announce all 11 winners in February. All the improvements will be delivered by early 2012, and I expect the initial works to begin towards the end of next year

I wanted to give Londoners a say in which parks should benefit, and they clearly welcome the opportunity, as over the first two weeks of voting around 30,000 votes have been received.

Social Housing Question No: 2988 / 2008 Andrew Boff Should the majority of public housing funds for social housing be allocated to building one and two bedroomed flats for rent? Oral Answer

LOCOG Board Question No: 2741 / 2008 Len Duvall Given your membership of the Olympic Board, can you update us on the position of the LOCOG Board and its Board Members work programmes? Answer from the Mayor: The LOCOG Board operates like any traditional board of directors, with a mixture of executive and non-executive directors. Board members do not have individual work programmes, beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of the executive directors. A full list of Board members, with biographical details, is available on the London 2012 website.

Obesity Question No: 2963 / 2008 James Cleverly With his Health Inequalities Strategy soon to be released for consultation, in what areas would the Mayor like to see reform of the central government’s approach to the issue of obesity? Oral Answer

4 Total police officer numbers Question No: 2924 / 2008 Dee Doocey Can you explain why the draft Policing London Business Plan 2009-12 shows an increase of 353 officers next year, but then a reduction of 326 officers between 2010/11 and 2011/12? Oral Answer

Central Line Station Tannoys Question No: 2991 / 2008 Roger Evans There have been complaints about the volume of announcements at South Woodford and Grange Hill stations. What steps are London Underground taking to minimise disturbance for neighbouring residents? Oral Answer

Declarations of outside earnings and interests Question No: 2734 / 2008 John Biggs Will you submit yourself, and your advisers to the same regime as the Parliamentary front bench of the Conservative Party? If not, why not? Answer from the Mayor: No, because there is no need, as our system is arguably more rigorous. As Mayor I am required to declare all gifts and interests within 28 days, as are my directly appointed staff. These are all on the public website.

Any expenses I do incur, such as for travel, are reported to the Assembly.

This is different to the system under which MPs operate. They are currently allowed to claim expenses for their offices, travel and accommodation. David Cameron rightly asked his frontbench MPs to voluntarily declare what they claimed their expenses for.

Decent Homes standard Question No: 2879 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey What monitoring will you be undertaking to ensure that London Boroughs are meeting the Decent Homes standard, and will you publish this data on an annual basis? Oral Answer

Alignment of transport and planning strategies Question No: 2740 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Are you satisfied that your transport and planning strategies will be aligned?

5 Answer from the Mayor: Yes. My advisers in the Mayor’s Office with responsibility for planning and transport issues are working closely together to ensure the emerging strategic planning and transport issues are dealt with in a coordinated and joined-up way. At officer level, the London Plan and transport teams at the GLA in association with staff at Transport for London are working closely together to ensure that the London Plan and Transport Strategy are fully aligned.

Budget Question No: 2655 / 2008 Darren Johnson Will London be greener as a result of your 2009/2010 budget? Answer from the Mayor: Yes, I am confident that London will be greener as a result of my 2009/10 budget.

My budget for 2009/10 will be the first full year of my environmental programme for the Mayoral term.

This includes my overall budget commitment of over £100m on environment and climate change programmes over four years which will deliver genuinely effective, value for money and high quality initiatives.

Some examples of the key elements of this commitment are:

• The LDA’s decentralised energy budget will be more than trebled from under £2m this financial year to approximately £7m next financial year. This will help to deliver the additional CHP capacity the city needs.

• £24m of funding from the LDA over four years to support the work of the London Waste and Recycling Board in bringing about the additional waste infrastructure London requires.

• £10m of funding will be diverted from the Londoner publication to the parks and trees programme over four years which will make a significant difference to the local environment in this city.

Questions for Written Answer

Funding and Resources for London Groups Question No: 2651 / 2008 Richard Barnbrook In the November MQT you stated that you would give the same help and assistance to all Londoners regardless of ethnic background. In light of this and considering the amount of resources committed towards BME groups, can you identify any white British ethnic groups that you have directed funding or resources towards since you were elected as Mayor.

6 Answer from the Mayor: We are continually in discussion with the public, stakeholders and London boroughs as to how best we can direct funding and resources towards all community groups in the capital to promote social cohesion and harmony. All funding and resources that are invested by the GLA into the community are open to all, regardless of ethnic background and this will continue to be our policy on behalf of all Londoners. * Members’ Pay Question No: 2652 / 2008 Richard Barnbrook In the October Mayor’s Question Time I raised the point that I believed Members should have a freeze on pay rises and that the money should be donated to a charity for the elderly. I advised you I would be donating a day’s wages and any pay increases to Help the Aged, you said “I’m sure that will be more than matched by everyone in this room.” I have since donated a day’s wage and have just donated the full backdated amount I received in my November pay packet. As a person that was in the room can you confirm that you will be more than matching this? And what action will you take to encourage the other Members to do the same? Answer from the Mayor: I already donate a fifth of the fee I receive from the Daily Telegraph to charity, which is far in excess of a day’s salary. * Proposals for an Airport in the Thames Estuary Question No: 2653 / 2008 Richard Barnbrook Considering your plans for the sighting of another airport in the Thames Estuary, are you aware of the potentially disastrous tidal consequences of such a project if it is not designed and engineered accordingly and have you researched this properly? Answer from the Mayor: I am aware that Island sites have hydrological implications, especially through their impact on tidal flows and flood risks, and I am confident that Doug Oakervee has the experience and knowledge required to investigate these potential issues thoroughly. * Proposed ‘Floating Airport’ Question No: 2654 / 2008 Richard Barnbrook Bearing in mind the Mayor’s unfortunate track record filling major public appointments, how does he justify recruiting Mr Doug Oakervee to oversee the first feasibility study into the proposed ‘Floating Airport’? The Mayor is on record as saying he wants this airport modeled on the Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok airport, the opening of which involved Mr Oakervee’s project team. The Hong Kong Legislative Council’s Inquiry strongly criticised Mr Oakervee’s numerous failings on the project. Answer from the Mayor: Mr Oakervee is one of the country’s most distinguished civil engineers, with vast international experience in the successful delivery of major projects.

7 In 1991 he was appointed project director for the planning, design and procurement of the reclamation works and airport construction for the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok. Mr. Oakervee enhanced his reputation for firm control of the projects in his charge by bringing home this massive job on time and within budget between 1991 and 1999.

Since his return to the UK in 1999 he has advised on several significant infrastructure project both in the UK and aboard. Therefore, he is clearly the right man to take this study forward. * Environment spending Question No: 2656 / 2008 Darren Johnson Please list the environmental projects and environmental budget lines which have been cut since you took office, and those that will be cut as a result of your budget plans for 2009/10. Answer from the Mayor: Environmental programmes are very high on my list of priorities. That is why I have decided to divert £10m of savings from ending the Londoner publication into my parks and trees programme. Other budget decisions I have taken also benefit the environment:

• The LDA’s decentralised energy budget will be more than trebled from under £2m this financial year to approximately £7m next financial year. This will help to deliver the additional CHP capacity the city needs. • £24m of funding from the LDA over four years to support the work of the London Waste and Recycling Board in bringing about the additional waste infrastructure London requires. • Major new cycling initiatives from TfL on cycle hire, highways and hubs – the exact phasing and costing of the schemes are still being finalised. • An increase in the cleaner buses budget from £8m this year to £9m next year. • £10m for the TfL Climate Change Fund next year.

There is a 15% saving figure being applied solely to the City Hall budget. For this reason the environment programme has been reviewed to ensure value for money. The review has resulted in £420,000 per annum being saved without affecting programme delivery:

• £201,000 being saved from the freezing of 2.6 FTE posts in the Environment team and from not establishing one other post for which funding had been agreed: o 1 FTE Data Manager post – this service will be provided more effectively through an external supplier for which budget provision is being made available. o 1 FTE Waste Principal Policy Officer post – this is consistent with the additional resource created by the establishment of the London Waste and Recycling Board. o 0.6 FTE Animal Welfare Senior Policy Office post – this part-post is frozen pending a decision on the location of animal welfare functions in the GLA group. o 1 FTE Data and Information Manager which was to be funded from budget growth agreed pre-May 2008 and which, as part of a more efficient approach being adopted, does not now need to be funded.

• £139,000 being saved from the environment programme budget – the final allocation of this budget will depend on my direction of travel statement on the environment. The savings will be made from adopting a more streamlined approach to strategy formulation. • £80,000 being saved from the London Schools Environment Awards as London schools have other opportunities to participate in this sort of scheme (please see 2841/2008 for a full explanation).

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It is worth noting that an annual sum equivalent to double this level of savings has been diverted within the City Hall budget from the Londoner publication to my trees and parks programme. There has therefore been growth rather than cuts in the GLA’s overall environmental programme. * Budget: environment (1) Question No: 2657 / 2008 Darren Johnson Please list the alternative environment award schemes for London schools which justify the discontinuance of the Mayor’s London Schools Environment Award. Answer from the Mayor: Please see the response to question 2841/2008. * Budget: environment (2) Question No: 2658 / 2008 Darren Johnson Please outline the current work of the GLA with London schools on the environment. Answer from the Mayor: Please see the response to question 2841/2008. * Budget: environment (3) Question No: 2659 / 2008 Darren Johnson Please list the projects and organisations which are being considered for a cut in funding next year as a result of the reduction of £139k in the environment programme budget. Answer from the Mayor: Please see 2656/2008. * Budget: environment (4) Question No: 2660 / 2008 Darren Johnson Please describe the 3.6 posts in the Environment Team which are vacant and not being funded in 2009/10. Answer from the Mayor: Please see 2656/2008. * Budget: Green Grid Question No: 2661 / 2008 Darren Johnson In the light of your budget proposal to end the GLA’s two year funding agreement for Design for London, can you now confirm that the 2009/10 budget for the LDA’s work to deliver the East London Green Grid will be no less, in real terms, than the 08/09 budget of £660k?

9 Answer from the Mayor: I am strongly committed to the East London Green Grid project (ELGG). The LDA's support for the programme of East London Green Grid projects will continue, with the detail to be confirmed through the LDA's ongoing business planning process. The planned revisions to the London Plan will also include proposals to extend the East London Green Grid concept across the rest of London to create a London-wide Green Grid.

The LDA budget for ELGG is an enabling budget to support work to scope and develop Green infrastructure projects. The great majority of delivery and implementation funding comes from other partners including CLG, the HCA and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, the Environment Agency and the Boroughs, and I will continue to press for these partners to give ELGG priority.

Following the integration of Design for London within the LDA, GLA funding to Design for London will reduce from its current level next financial year, to £125,000 to support Design for London’s work on public space, the management of the Mayor’s Design Advisory Panel, input to policy work and promotion of my commitment to high quality design.

I am committed to improving the environment and as such, the LDA has announced a proposed increased investment of £72 million over the next four years for its environment programmes (includes waste, green organisations, decentralised energy and green spaces).

Budget: housing Question No: 2662 / 2008 Darren Johnson Please list the projects and organisations which are being considered for a cut in funding next year as a result of the reduction of £49k in the housing programme budget. Answer from the Mayor: Two elements of savings are being considered for 2009/10: £25,000 that the GLA has provided to the Empty Homes Agency each year since 2002/3 for its Empty Homes Hotline and £24,000 that the GLA has used each year since 2005/6 to fund housing policy trainees. * Budget: planning Question No: 2663 / 2008 Darren Johnson Please describe the 2 posts in the PDU which are vacant and not being funded in 2009/10. Answer from the Mayor: Four posts were established to deal with the additional work expected to arise as a consequence of the new powers created for the Mayor by the GLA Act 2007. At present, the additional work is expected to be able to be managed with two fewer posts and, therefore, as part of the budget process it is proposed that two posts are not funded in 2009/10 and can be deleted. However, the work of the PDU will continue to be kept under review and appropriate action taken if additional posts are required. * Budget: Peace events Question No: 2664 / 2008 Darren Johnson Please can you state the GLA’s 2008/09 budget and proposed 2009/10 budget for Peace Week events? Please state what events will not receive GLA funding next year as a result of the

10 proposed cuts of £40k. Answer from the Mayor: The GLA is not a grant-making authority. All financial support to assisting London Week of Peace (LWOP) has been considered and allocated yearly based on need. It has always been clear that the monies allocated would be used to assist LWOP to gain strength and momentum, rather than being a fixed permanent GLA budget commitment, and does not determine the LWOP programme of events.

The GLA does not have a year on year agreement to financially support LWOP. The Peace Alliance, the organisation responsible for organising LWOP, is aware that funding has been granted on an annual basis only and that it needs to broaden its funding base as LWOP grows in strength. * Fares Question No: 2665 / 2008 Darren Johnson Will you reduce the size of your fares increase for 2009 in the light of falling inflation and the pressure on household budgets resulting from the economic downturn? Answer from the Mayor: While I am sympathetic to the fact that households are under pressure due to the economic downturn, we cannot reduce the size of the fares increase, as much of this year’s fares revision simply reverses the unsustainable fare reductions made by my predecessor.

Taking the specific points, next January’s fares increase, as always, reflects inflation over the year to last July (ie July 2008). The July RPI index is that reported in mid-August, prior to the fares announcement in September.

Since last July, the retail prices index has been essentially unchanged. This has meant that the year on year increase has been diminishing.

If this trend continues, it is quite possible that in July 2009 annual inflation will be zero or even negative. This will be factored into the fare revision for January 2010.

As regards the downturn, I am very much aware of the impact on household budgets. This is one reason why I have frozen the GLA’s share of the council tax for the first time ever. Next January’s fares increase, together with my programme of efficiency savings and cost reductions at the GLA and TfL, are essential.

The fares revision will also help to fund my 24 hour free travel scheme for the over 60s; my new scheme for people receiving Income Support; and the new inter-peak discounts on the Tube. All these proposals are positive in the context of the downturn. *

Insulation (1) Question No: 2666 / 2008 Darren Johnson You recently announced spending of £100m over 4 years for insulation of homes. Please can you specify 1) the source(s) of this funding; 2) the timetable for spending; 3) how much of the £100m is additional to previously planned spending on insulation?

11 Answer from the Mayor: My budget for 2009/10 will be the first full year of my environmental programme for the Mayoral term. This £100m refers to my overall budget commitment of over £100m over four years on environment and climate change programmes, rather than homes specifically. Further details are set out in answer to question 2656/2008.

Answers to question 2667/2008 and 2668/2008 give further information on a new insulation programme. I believe the aim should be that it is free to Londoners at the point of installation and we are looking at how to do this and will be working up the specifics over the coming months. * Insulation (2) Question No: 2667 / 2008 Darren Johnson When do you expect your new insulation programme to be available to Londoners? Answer from the Mayor: As your excellent report, “Lagging Behind” states, take up of insulation schemes in London is not as high as we would like and I absolutely agree that we need to increase take up. We are looking at how to do this and will be working up the specifics over the coming months. It is important that we put in a place a scheme that has maximum impact and is hassle free for Londoners. As I stated recently I will work with London's boroughs to ensure Londoners have access to minimum hassle, zero upfront cost energy efficiency measures to reduce energy consumption in their homes. We very much hope that this would be launched in 2009. * Insulation (3) Question No: 2668 / 2008 Darren Johnson Following the success of Kirklees Warm Zone, do you agree that Londoners should be offered an insulation scheme that is free at the point of installation? Answer from the Mayor: I absolutely agree this should be the aim. Please see my answer to 2667 for further details.

Insulation (4) Question No: 2669 / 2008 Darren Johnson Is the GLA cut-price insulation offer with British Gas still running? Can you provide a monthly breakdown of how many London households have taken up the offer since the scheme was implemented? Answer from the Mayor: The cut-price insulation offer with British Gas is still running. British Gas are compiling the data in the format you have requested and I will pass this to you when it is provided. In the meantime I have provided the total number of installations since the scheme was launched in April 2007.

2007 (April to end of year) 3,146 installations 2008 (Jan to 26 Aug 2008) 2,422 installations *

12 Eco-driving Question No: 2670 / 2008 Darren Johnson Following your answer to question 2383/2008, are you convinced that current bus driver training programmes are sufficient to deliver a 5-10% reduction in fuel use (as envisaged by the Climate Change Action Plan) or will further actions be necessary? Answer from the Mayor: Current bus driver training programmes are delivering a measurable, progressive improvement in driving standards which will in turn be reflected by reduced fuel consumption. The majority of London’s bus operators are also currently piloting a variety of driver and/or fuel consumption monitoring systems, aimed at further raising drivers’ awareness of the importance of eco- driving. TfL is working closely with these bus operators to ensure that the results of these pilots are captured and that good practice is disseminated. * Short haul flights (1) Question No: 2671 / 2008 Darren Johnson Can you list the number of flights taken by the GLA and functional bodies in 2007/8, which were: 1) to cities/towns within mainland England, Wales and Scotland? 2) To cities/towns in Europe which are accessible via a nine hour train journey from London? Answer from the Mayor: Within the parameters stated, the number of flights taken in 2007-08 were:

UK Europe GLA 9 13 MPA 3 - LFEPA 13 1 TfL 63 94 LDA 4 3 Totals 92 111 * Notes: 1. The GLA has deemed a nine-hour train journey to be in accordance with the Mayor’s Short Haul for Aviation report (Table 1, page 11) published March 2008. 2. TfL policy is that all mainland or close European flights have to be personally approved by the Commissioner.

Short haul flights (2) Question No: 2672 / 2008 Darren Johnson Can you list the number of flights taken by the GLA and functional bodies in the current financial year, which were: 1) to cities/towns within mainland England, Wales and Scotland? 2) To cities/towns in Europe which are accessible via a nine hour train journey from London?

13 Answer from the Mayor: Within the parameters stated, the number of flights taken in 2008-09 (to November) were:

UK Europe GLA - 3 MPA 1 - LFEPA 6 3 TfL 17 72 LDA 1 4 Totals 25 82 * Notes: 1. The GLA has deemed a nine-hour train journey to be in accordance with the Mayor’s Short Haul for Aviation report (Table 1, page 11) published March 2008. 2. TfL policy is that all mainland or close European flights have to be personally approved by the Commissioner.

LED traffic signals Question No: 2673 / 2008 Darren Johnson What proportion of traffic signals in London currently use LED (Light Emitting Diodes) rather than incandescent bulbs? As part of your traffic light ‘modernisation’ programme, will you introduce a policy that all new and replacement traffic lights use LED? Answer from the Mayor: Only recently has technology developed to include an affordable and resilient LED signal head with this remote lamp monitoring capability. At present, only a limited number of manufacturers are able to offer this technology, which is currently more costly than conventional signal heads. TfL is exploring opportunities to roll out this technology, initially at some 500 sites, and to encourage other manufacturers to compete and reduce costs. Subject to funding, it is intended that these new LED signal aspects would be deployed initially to new installations and to those scheduled for modernisation.

At present, 2.8% of London’s traffic signals incorporate LED lamp technology. * Green skills Question No: 2674 / 2008 Darren Johnson What revisions will you be seeking to the London skills strategy to reflect your ambition ‘to create a thriving eco-economy in London’ (Mayor’s press release 620)? Answer from the Mayor: One of the key principles of the London Skills and Employment Board Strategy, which I published in July, is flexibility, adaptability and effectively responding to the needs of London’s businesses. This will include ensuring that London’s businesses and individuals can adapt effectively to changes in the economy - which is particularly important given the current difficult economic outlook - including those necessary to ensure that London can lead the way in tackling climate change.

Indeed, the London Skills and Employment Board Strategy, London’s Future, states that a key outcome of the strategy is that it “will contribute to sustainable development in London, including the challenges of climate change and ensuring that London works towards being a low

14 carbon economy.” Within this strategic framework, we will be actively looking at measures to support a green economy in London.

Green-collar jobs (1) Question No: 2675 / 2008 Darren Johnson How many Londoners are currently employed in ‘green-collar’ jobs (e.g. renewable energy, recycling, energy conservation, low carbon refurbishment and green manufacture) and what assessment have you made of the London-wide potential in this sector? Answer from the Mayor: The most recent estimates of green sector jobs prepared for the LDA were in the Green Alchemy report, which calculated that 5000 to 7000 jobs would be created as a result of expenditure to hit the Mayor’s climate change targets by 2010. There will also be additional jobs generated by programmes to expand green spaces in London. Further increases in green sector jobs can be expected as we seek to meet even more challenging targets beyond this.

I am very committed to expanding environmental programmes in London and recognise the potential for generating employment in this area. The LDA is currently developing its plans in this area as part of its business planning process. Whilst there are issues of limited data availability, the LDA will seek to update the Green Alchemy estimates for green jobs in London as part of this work. * Green-collar jobs (2) Question No: 2676 / 2008 Darren Johnson How many ‘green-collar’ jobs do you expect to be created as a direct result of GLA Group programmes? Answer from the Mayor: We believe we can directly influence the creation of new green collar jobs through our programmes. We are actively looking at this question over the coming months and will provide an estimate in the forthcoming environmental direction of travel document. *

CO2 emissions from housing Question No: 2677 / 2008 Darren Johnson The previous Mayor’s draft Housing Strategy included a target to reduce carbon emissions from the domestic sector by at least 7.7m tonnes by 2025. Will you include a similar target in future versions of your Housing Strategy? Answer from the Mayor: My recently published London Housing Strategy states that London carbon dioxide emissions should reduce by at least 60 per cent by 2025, while recognising that achieving this is dependent on additional action by central government. This will require higher reductions in carbon dioxide emissions from housing than the 7.6 million tones figure quoted in the previous Mayor’s strategy.

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15 Olympics open space Question No: 2678 / 2008 Darren Johnson The new plans for the Olympic Park suggest there will be 102 hectares of open space in the Olympics Park in the legacy phase. However the 2007 planning application proposed 110 hectares of open space, and the 2004 planning application suggested there would be 129 hectares of open space. How do you explain this apparent disparity? Answer from the Mayor: The 2004 planning permission supported the London 2012 bid. Following bid-win a number of strategic changes were made to improve the economic and social viability of the Games and their legacy. These changes resulted in a reduction in the amount of land required for the Games. This is reflected in the 2007 Olympic, Paralympic and Legacy Transformation Planning Applications which include the provision of 110ha of open space. Of this 102ha is capable of designation as Metropolitan Open Land.

The future potential open space brought forward as part of the Legacy Masterplan Framework, including Stratford City, Bow Back Rivers and Canalside, as well as potential open space in the post-Games development area, will be 123.3ha. * Affordable housing Question No: 2679 / 2008 Darren Johnson Why are you reducing the proportion of new affordable housing earmarked for social rents when demand is growing? Answer from the Mayor: Table 3.3c in my draft London Housing Strategy demonstrates that the proportion of social rented homes that I aim to deliver in London over the next three years is not reducing. * Reducing London’s municipal waste Question No: 2680 / 2008 Darren Johnson Will you consider a London-wide campaign that encourages Londoners to reduce the amount of food and packaging waste and other costly and unnecessary waste that is generated from households in the first place, along the lines of your high profile ‘Recycle for London’ campaign? Answer from the Mayor: I entirely agree that avoiding waste generation in the first place is an ideal intervention and we are exploring what we could do that could be effective on this. In September 2008 the London Waste and Recycling Board agreed to provide £1.5m to fund the Recycle for London campaign for 1 year. The 2008/09 campaign will feature two spikes of media activity, the first of which is currently running and the second of which is due in February 09.

Over the period of the campaign a full quantitative and qualitative evaluation will be made enabling both the effectiveness and relevance of the campaign to be assessed, the evidence from this appraisal may well indicate that Londoner’s are ready for a move towards a waste reduction campaign. In parallel we are looking more broadly at what campaigns we could be running on the waste agenda and this will also feed into the consideration of what comes next.

If you have any ideas or comments on how best to influence the behaviour of Londoners when it comes to waste production please let me or Isabel Dedring know.

16 * Crossrail (1) Question No: 2681 / 2008 Darren Johnson Once a funding package is in place for Crossrail, could any shortfall in the funds promised by BAA, or companies in Canary Wharf and the City, potentially lead to either an increase in fares or in the London business rate levy? Answer from the Mayor: No. A funding package for Crossrail is in place and was confirmed through a series of agreements announced on 4 December, which also outline the risk that the DfT and TfL, the main Sponsors of the project, are taking on. The agreements follow on from the headline governance and funding package announced in October 2007. No shortfall is envisaged. The announcements on 4 December included the City of London’s contribution and follows on from that of BAA’s announced on 4 November. These contributions are underwritten by Government and there is no requirement on TfL to provide additional funding if there were a shortfall. * Crossrail (2) Question No: 2682 / 2008 Darren Johnson Can you provide Londoners with a guarantee that any overrun in Crossrail costs will not be passed onto them via fares increases, cuts to Transport for London services, or council tax and business rate increases? Answer from the Mayor: DfT and TfL have designed the project and the funding package to mitigate against cost overruns and ensure that appropriate decisions are made early to ensure that the project stays within budget. The project costs and risks have also been reviewed independently, providing a strong confidence level that the project will keep within budget. The DfT, TfL and I therefore believe that the £15.9bn will be sufficient.

However, should there be a cost overrun, the agreements between DfT and TfL outline a number of remedies to ensure that the project remains on track and within budget. This is good governance and sensible project management. These remedies include, for example, further intervention rights for the Sponsors.

While no-one can predict every single situation, event or possibility and then detail what would be the most appropriate action at that time, what the agreements and package do provide is strong and robust oversight and delivery mechanisms that will bring us a vital new railway. This should provide comfort and confidence to the London taxpayers, passengers and businesses and the country at large. * Electronic Tube Advertising (1) Question No: 2683 / 2008 Darren Johnson What is the average energy usage of a) liquid crystal display screens b) cross-track projectors c) illuminated advertising boards d) a run of digital escalator panels used for advertising on the Underground network? Answer from the Mayor: Average daily energy usage per unit is recorded in the table below.

17 London Underground is currently investigating ways in which the energy used by individual units can be reduced.

In addition, the energy consumed as a result of the installation of these units is offset by the removal of all vending machines from the network.

The use of these units on the Tube network reduces the amount of paper used for advertising and also reduces the transport of posters around the capital, bringing additional environmental benefits. * Liquid crystal display screen 15.60 kWh Cross-track projector 16.80 kWh Illuminated advertising board: 4 sheet 3.60 kWh 6 sheet 4.08 kWh 6 sheet scroller 4.56 kWh 12 sheet 11.76 kWh Showcase 7.68 kWh Digital escalator panel* 3.48 kWh

*NB each digital escalator panel is part of a run of between 18 and 52 panels.

Electronic Tube Advertising (2) Question No: 2684 / 2008 Darren Johnson What is the total annual energy usage of digital and illuminated advertising on the Underground network? Answer from the Mayor: London Underground (LU) is currently approximately three-quarters of the way through a programme to improve the advertising space across its network. The programme is enhancing customers’ travel environment and will also bring a number of environmental benefits. They include a reduction in the total amount of paper used for advertising on the network, a reduction in the need to transport posters around the capital and an end of the use of wet- paste advertising posters, which cannot be recycled.

By the time the programme is complete in the middle of 2009, the total annual energy usage by digital and illuminated advertising on the Underground network will be approximately 9.62 GWh per year. This figure is less than one percent of LU’s total average annual energy usage and is offset by the removal of all vending machines from the network.

In addition, LU is currently investigating ways in which the energy used by illuminated and digital advertising can be reduced.

Electronic Tube Advertising (3) Question No: 2685 / 2008 Darren Johnson Which station on the Underground network has the highest energy usage from digital and illuminated advertising? Answer from the Mayor: Oxford Circus * 18

Monorail Question No: 2686 / 2008 Darren Johnson Has TfL carried out any studies into the feasibility of a monorail transport option in London? If not, would TfL consider assessing the feasibility of a monorail in London as a potential transport option? Answer from the Mayor: Monorails in London is not a new idea and they have been considered previously. In identifying improvements to address current and future transport challenges, Transport for London will consider all reasonable options. In deciding which options to develop further, it is necessary to consider a number of factors including cost effectiveness, integration with the existing transport system, providing sufficient capacity to match demand, provision of reasonable journey times and meeting safety considerations.

Monorails are not well suited to the movement of large numbers of people within a dense built- up environment, as they are less accessible than street level systems, are difficult to integrate with the existing transport system and cannot be easily extended as part of a network. There is a need to allow for the safe evacuation of passengers, and this can mean that large and potentially visually intrusive structures are required. Previous reviews of monorail proposals have concluded that other public transport modes offer more effective solutions. * Care Alliance Question No: 2687 / 2008 Darren Johnson What is the future for Mayoral support for Care Alliance? Answer from the Mayor: I have decided to establish a new London Carers Advisory Group representing both voluntary and statutory organisations concerned with carers in London. This group will provide me with advice and information about the priorities of London’s 600,000 carers, in order to pursue policies and actions to address their needs. The advisory group will replace the proposed London Carers Alliance. * Taxi-card Question No: 2688 / 2008 Darren Johnson Have Taxi-card criteria been tightened to the detriment of carers? Answer from the Mayor: Taxicard is the responsibility of the boroughs and I am unaware of any changes to the established Taxicard eligibility criteria.

Thames Estuary airport Question No: 2689 / 2008 Darren Johnson Will the study being undertaken by GLA officers into your proposal for an airport in the Thames Estuary consider the implications of tidal displacement, which could result in additional flood risk to the banks of the river Thames? If so, has the Environment Agency been consulted?

19 Answer from the Mayor: I am aware that Island sites have hydrological implications, especially through their impact on tidal flows and flood risks. I am confident that Doug Oakervee has the experience and knowledge required to investigate these issues thoroughly and we will ensure that the Environment Agency is consulted. * Olympics disruption Question No: 2690 / 2008 Darren Johnson What are you doing to address the concerns of Leabank Square residents, Hackney, regarding disruption, dust and noise problem from the Olympics site? Answer from the Mayor: The ODA is working closely with Hackney Council to address concerns raised by the residents of Leabank Square. A number of actions have already been implemented, including the decommissioning of the soil washing plant ahead of schedule from 19 December. In addition, a dedicated water bower in zone five will be used during dry weather to mitigate the affects of dust. The ODA will be attending a meeting on the 22 January, hosted by Hackney Council for residents in the Hackney Wick area, as part of its ongoing engagement with residents. * Lights on the Greenway Question No: 2691 / 2008 Darren Johnson Is it appropriate that most of the lights (installed at the beginning of the Olympic works on the section through the site) on the Greenway (sewer bank) remain on throughout the day? Answer from the Mayor: Temporary lighting columns were installed on the Greenway in September 2007 to support specific work taking place, and to support a key access point to the Olympic Stadium site. The continued use of these temporary lights is now being reviewed and I have asked my officers to liaise with the ODA on this matter. * East London Line extension work - loss of trees (1) Question No: 2692 / 2008 Darren Johnson With reference to your answer MQT No 2376/2008 can you give a commitment to replanting the 50 mature and semi-mature trees that have been lost through works on the East London Line Extension at New Cross, on the specific area used to assemble the flyover which has not been covered by the landscaping plan? Answer from the Mayor: Thameslink will be confirming next summer how they intend to use this land. Once this has been decided TfL will then be able to determine if they can plan additional trees. * East London Line extension work - loss of trees (2) Question No: 2693 / 2008 Darren Johnson With reference to your answer to MQT No 2376/2008, you state that TfL have been ‘sharing the replanting plans with local residents’ and ‘London Borough of Lewisham has approved TfL’s

20 planting plans’, but neither have been given specific details on the type of tree replanting. Will you commit to sharing detailed plans with local residents and LB of Lewisham’s biodiversity officer? Answer from the Mayor: The type of tree is detailed on the replanting plans that I referred to and which have been shared with the local authority and the residents.

For reference the types of plant are: Crataegus Monogyna (35% of mix), Prunus Lusitanica (15% of mix), Prunus Padus (15% of mix), Viburnum Opulus (20% of mix) and Ilex Aquifolium (15% of mix). * East London Line Extension works - Construction Practice (3) Question No: 2694 / 2008 Darren Johnson With reference to your answer to MQT No 2378/2008, local residents have reported they have ample photographic evidence that the code of construction practice has and continues to be flouted? What will the Mayor do to ensure this does not continue and to compensate residents whose health and lives have been blighted by dust, noise and rodents? Answer from the Mayor: TfL and the contractor meet with residents and this meeting is chaired by a London Borough of Lewisham Councillor. The most recent meeting was on the 2 December 2008. Residents have the opportunity to raise concerns at this meeting and also through the 24-hour helpline. No significant issues were raised with the exception of some uncovered earth mounds. The Code of Construction practice states that where practical these will be covered and this has been the case also the mounds are the result of minor excavation works and generally are removed at the time of excavation or shortly after. All major civil works has now been completed on site. The local authority have regular meetings and site visits with the project representatives and have not raised any concerns. There is also monitoring equipment in the area for noise and dust and these have not shown any exceedances of the limits stated in the Code of Construction practice.

East London Line Extension works - Liaison meetings (4) Question No: 2695 / 2008 Darren Johnson In reference to your answer to MQT No 2379/2008, what will the Mayor do to ensure that the regular liaison meetings between TfL and local residents are better publicised, given that at present most local residents (even those on the email list) receive no written notification of the meetings, there is no advertising or posters in local shops and no notification through the local press? Answer from the Mayor: The project contractor delivers invitations to the meetings to approximately 450 local households as agreed with the Local Authority. I will ask TfL to consider posters in local shop windows. Advertisements in the local press have been discounted as they cover a far wider area than the residents living close to the worksite. A resident email is distributed fortnightly and the date for the next meeting is included in these updates. *

21 Wards Corner Question No: 2696 / 2008 Darren Johnson Will you give full consideration to refurbishing the Wards Corner buildings owned by TfL, rather than allowing them to be demolished? Answer from the Mayor: TfL has worked with the Borough of Haringey for a number of years supporting their ambitions for a renewal and regeneration scheme at Wards Corner, as set out in their planning brief. The resulting scheme has now been granted a planning consent by the Borough, following revisions to enable the market to remain in the completed development. * LCN+ (2) Question No: 2698 / 2008 Darren Johnson Please provide a list of the LCN+ borough schemes, outlined in the LCN+ 2009/2010 bidding report, which have received funding. Please also list the schemes that will not be carried forward in the next financial year. Answer from the Mayor: TfL is preparing this list and will send this to you in due course. Please see Appendix 2 (information provided 5 February 2009).

LCN+ (3) Question No: 2699 / 2008 Darren Johnson How many of the LCN+ schemes on the TLRN will you take forward in the coming year? Answer from the Mayor: There are currently 171 LCN+ schemes on the Transport for London Road Network that are planned to be taken forward during 2009/10. * LCN+ (4) Question No: 2700 / 2008 Darren Johnson Could you either provide a timetable for completing the LCN+ by the end of 2010, or explain how many years you intend to delay the completion of this major cycling project? Answer from the Mayor: The timetable for completing the LCN+ was set out by my predecessor. My view is that as the final parts of the network increasingly require expensive and unpopular traffic schemes, efforts should be focused on my new direction towards more integrated and targeted interventions to make cycling safer, easier and more appealing. This approach is set out in ‘Way To Go!’ and includes cycle highways along with cycle hire and cycle hubs as the best way to grow and develop cycling in the Capital as well as delivering cycle routes to the Olympic Park.

Details of LCN+ proposals are held by the boroughs as the relevant highway authorities and they may wish to consider opportunities to incorporate these in other funded programmes and developments. Boroughs have been allocated £100k each in their 2009/10 LIP settlements to spend on their own priorities and this could include LCN+ schemes.

22

LCN+ (5) Question No: 2701 / 2008 Darren Johnson In 2009/10, will you be spending more than the £16m on the LCN+ allocated to Transport for London roads in the current financial year? Answer from the Mayor: As I am still working with TfL and other stakeholders to refine my new direction for cycling, the level of funding for cycling measures (including the LCN+) on the Transport for London Road Network has yet to be determined. This will be resolved by the time the Transport for London Business Plan goes before the London Assembly for approval early next year. * Borough cycling projects Question No: 2702 / 2008 Darren Johnson How much did Transport for London give the boroughs for cycling projects in 2008/09 and how much have they allocated for cycling in 2009/10? Answer from the Mayor: In 2008/09, TfL has made available £26.4m to Boroughs for cycling projects. In 2009/10, TfL will specifically allocate £24.5m. However, during 2009/10, TfL will also spend £12m on cycle highways of which at least £4m is likely to be spent on Borough roads. * Walking and cycling expenditure Question No: 2703 / 2008 Darren Johnson Can you guarantee that under the new approach to Local Implementation Plans and borough allocations for 2010/11 onwards, expenditure on walking and cycling by the boroughs will not decline rapidly? Answer from the Mayor: TfL spending on cycling in London is increasing. For example, in 2005/6, TfL spent £21.7M on cycling. This rose to £28.9M in 2006/07 and £35.1M in 2007/08. TfL expects to spend £44.8M in 2008/9 and £111.3M in 2009/10.

The process of funding Local Implementation Plan allocations is based on TfL assessing applications from the boroughs for schemes in a number of transport programmes. The criteria used to assess and prioritise a scheme is described in the guidance that is provided to boroughs. Inevitably, there will be variations on the funding allocated each year, not least because the schemes will be different from one year to the next. * Cycling budget Question No: 2704 / 2008 Darren Johnson What is the current anticipated roll over of money from the £55m 2008/09 cycling budget, into the following financial year? Answer from the Mayor:

23 The position on carrying over current year funding for the cycle programme to next year will become much clearer and more robust at the end of the financial year. I will ask officers at Transport for London to update you on this at that time. * Cycling spending Question No: 2705 / 2008 Darren Johnson The previous mayor gave a commitment that any expenditure on Velib, cycle super highways and cycling hubs/zones, would be additional to the existing Transport for London commitments on cycling, such as completion of the LCN+. Will you stick to this commitment, or is it your intention to finance the new cycling schemes partly by spending less on existing cycling projects? Answer from the Mayor: From what I gather, my predecessor made this commitment without identifying from where the additional expenditure might be found. I will be delivering the Cycle Hire Scheme within the next 18 months and TfL are currently in the process of identifying routes for 12 Cycle Super Highways, which will span across London and greatly increase the infrastructure for cyclists. I am expediting the delivery of both these key projects, quicker that my predecessor had promised.

I recognise the importance of maintaining a commitment to existing projects and programmes as these form the base from which future success can be grown. However, you will be aware from previous discussions of the pressure on available budgets and the need in the years ahead for a more focused and integrated approach to better meeting cyclists’ needs. * Police overtime Question No: 2706 / 2008 Jenny Jones Can you provide a list of individual police operations which incurred an overtime cost of more than £100,000 in 2007/08, and provide details of the total overtime cost incurred by each operation included on this list? Answer from the Mayor: The table below sets out the details of police operations incurring overtime costs of more than £100,000 in 2007/8.

Police Officer Operation / Event Overtime Cost £000

FA Cup Final - Wembley 171 Football Play Off Finals - Wembley 201 Tour de France cycle race 131 Climate Camp at Heathrow Airport 1,254 Notting Hill Carnival 1,911 DSEI arms exhibition 153 Operation Seagram (Haymarket Bombings) 2,400 Operation Theseus (CCTV Footage 7/7 Bombings) 1,200 Operations Overt/Overamp (Attempted aircraft bombings) 800 Operation Curb 2 (Knife crime prevention) 2,400 Operation Safeguard * (Prison service use of MPS cells) 11,000 24

* These costs were fully reimbursed by Home Office

* Affordable housing targets Question No: 2707 / 2008 Jenny Jones Will you develop a new planning target (in addition to your investment target of 50,000 gross additional affordable homes by 2011) for the net supply of new build affordable homes, having scrapped your predecessor’s target that 50 per cent of all additional housing should be affordable? Answer from the Mayor: I am currently considering options for reviewing the London Plan and any such changes will be made through the normal statutory process. * First Steps programme eligibility Question No: 2708 / 2008 Jenny Jones What proportion of London households earn £72,000 or less a year? Answer from the Mayor: It is estimated that almost ninety per cent of London households have annual incomes of £72,000 or less. However, many of these are already homeowners or are higher rate income tax payers, so would not be eligible for First Steps.

Intermediate housing eligibility Question No: 2709 / 2008 Jenny Jones Do you intend London households earning up to £72,000 a year to be eligible for assistance from all intermediate housing products, or only from those products offered under your First Steps programme? Answer from the Mayor: The draft London Housing Strategy states that the top of the income range for low cost home ownership should increase to £72,000 in London for people unable to buy on the open market. This would include both First Steps and other intermediate housing products in the capital. * Housing the temporarily homeless Question No: 2710 / 2008 Jenny Jones What is the average monthly cost to the public purse of housing a temporarily homeless household in privately rented accommodation? Answer from the Mayor: Details of expenditure on the different types of temporary accommodation provided in the private rented sector is not available. However, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy reports total expenditure in London during 2007/08 on accommodation leased from the private sector to be £309,600,775. Based on returns to government for 31 March 2008 reporting 34,260 household in leased temporary accommodation, the average monthly 25 cost therefore broadly equates to £753. * Housing the temporarily homeless Question No: 2711 / 2008 Jenny Jones What is the average monthly cost to the public purse of housing a temporarily homeless household in publicly owned housing? Answer from the Mayor: Details of expenditure on the different types of temporary accommodation provided in publicly owned housing is not available. However, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy reports the average monthly cost of hostel accommodation in London during 2007/08 to be £443. * Moving out of social housing Question No: 2712 / 2008 Jenny Jones Of the 63,000 existing social housing tenants that you believe could move into low cost home ownership, how many do you hope will have used public support to take up this option by the end of your first term in office? Answer from the Mayor: The draft London Housing Strategy will increase the number of low cost home ownership opportunities and prioritise social housing tenants for support. However, no specific target has been set for the number of social housing tenants that will take up these opportunities. * DNA records (1) Question No: 2713 / 2008 Jenny Jones Are there financial and resource implications for the Metropolitan Police budget in the European Court of Human Rights’ decision that the UK’s retention of DNA samples from people who have not been charged or convicted of any offence is a contravention of the European Convention on Human Rights? Answer from the Mayor: Yes, there will be financial and resource implications, not just for the MPS but also to other police forces nationally. The MPA/MPS are unable at this stage to detail these costings until the judgment of the ECHR decision is fully considered. * DNA records (2) Question No: 2714 / 2008 Jenny Jones Will you ask the Metropolitan Police to implement any changes flowing from the European Court of Human Rights’ decision that the UK’s retention of DNA samples from people who have not been charged or convicted of any offence is a contravention of the European Convention on Human Rights as soon as possible? Answer from the Mayor: The Metropolitan Police Service will implement any necessary changes that flow from the European Court judgement as soon as practicable. The judgement is currently being considered

26 by Home Office officials, the police service and other interested agencies. Changes in UK legislation may be required. In Spring 2009, the UK will report to the Council for Ministers on any action taken.

Stop and search Question No: 2715 / 2008 Jenny Jones In which areas of London has the authorisation to stop and search members of the public under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act been in place for longer than a) 24 consecutive hours and b) 48 consecutive hours since the 13th of May 2008? Answer from the Mayor: Between 13th May and 9th December 2008, the MPS authorised 1,276 separate section 60 stop and searches for a duration period of up to 24 hours. 43 of these were extended beyond the initial duration of 24 hours to a maximum period of 48 hours. These extensions up to 48 hours occurred in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Islington, Brent, Ealing, Barking, Dagenham, Westminster, Camden, Lambeth, Harrow, Merton and Enfield. I have been informed by the MPA/MPS that there were no s60 authorisations longer than 48 consecutive hours. * Police budget (1) Question No: 2716 / 2008 Jenny Jones There are a number of items in the MPA draft Policing London Business Plan’s proposals for reduction and growth which indicate a loss of income to the Metropolitan Police from Transport for London. Why is this income being lost and will any front line transport policing be lost as a result? Answer from the Mayor: There will be no reductions to front line transport policing despite some changes to the detailed budget lines in the draft Policing London Business Plan. Changes to the budget have occurred because of reductions in numbers of Transport Operational Command Unit (TOCU) back office staffing and a reduction in traffic warden numbers which in-turn has an effect on overheads eligible for re-charge, which are calculated on a per-capita basis. Transport for London provided additional resources in 2008/09 to assist with additional setting up costs in the first year of operation. * Police budget (2) Question No: 2717 / 2008 Jenny Jones Is there a cost to the MPS of policing the London Olympics beyond that which is being covered by government grant? If so, how much is this cost? Answer from the Mayor: I and my staff are working closely with the Home Office and Olympic Security Directorate to ensure that the plans for security in 2012 will ensure a safe and secure environment not only in and around 2012 venues, but also across the rest of London, and of course that this is fully funded. While the overall plan is still under development, I naturally remain committed to the principle that Londoners should not meet any extraordinary costs to the Met Police arising from this national event.

27 * Help a London Park Programme (1) Question No: 2718 / 2008 Jenny Jones Would you consider including criteria for the ’makeover’ of the winning ten London Parks, to specify the inclusion of food growing sites for the local community as well as food growing demonstration sites that are open to the public and designed to inspire and educate schoolchildren, the general public and new food growers about seasonal food? Answer from the Mayor: I am keen that at least some of the successful parks include opportunities for local people to grow food among their enhancements. Several of the candidate parks already have community food plots in their proposals, and my officers will encourage more of them to include food plots when it comes to finalising the detail of the improvements. However, I would not wish to dictate to boroughs and, more importantly, to local communities, what enhancements they should have in their parks. * Help a London Park Programme (2) Question No: 2719 / 2008 Jenny Jones Would you consider including criteria for the ‘makeover’ of the winning ten London Parks, to specify that either dedicated areas of the park are set aside for fruit and nut bearing trees, or that a substantial part of all new trees planted are fruit/nut producing for both local community use and as demonstration sites to inspire and educate schoolchildren, the general public about seasonal food? Answer from the Mayor: I am keen that at least some of the successful parks include opportunities for local people to grow food among their enhancements. Some of the candidate parks already have fruit trees in their proposals, and my officers will encourage more of them to include community orchards or fruit trees when it comes to finalising the detail of the improvements. However, I would not wish to dictate to boroughs and, more importantly, to local communities, what enhancements they should have in their parks. * Victoria Embankment Question No: 2720 / 2008 Jenny Jones Can you explain the apparent contradiction between scrapping the Victoria Embankment Garden project which was due to deliver a cycle track along Embankment and your statement in ‘Way to Go’ that it is a disgrace that there is no cycle track there? Answer from the Mayor: Plans to improve Victoria Embankment Gardens and the main road that runs along the river from Blackfriars to Hungerford Bridge were developed by the previous Mayor but no funding was ever secured to take these forward. I agree we need better cycle facilities on Victoria Embankment and TfL are continuing to promote cycle lanes there.

Rape Crisis Centres Question No: 2721 / 2008 Jenny Jones

28 In April 2008 you pledged to fund four new rape crisis centres in London. As London has lost two rape crisis centres during the last decade and only one remains, what is the timescale for provision of the four new centres? Answer from the Mayor: I am committed to delivering additional rape crisis provision in London and my current budget proposals include £233k a year for this.

A key deliverable of the London Violence Against Women Strategy, which will be launched for public consultation in April 2009, is ‘ensuring there is adequate provision for rape crisis services in London within this Mayoral term’. Research and consultation help us assess in more detail the rape crisis need in London and consequent budget needs. This work will then be used to inform funding allocations from April 09 onwards. * Urban education centre Question No: 2722 / 2008 Jenny Jones What assessment have you made of the Field Studies Council’s proposals to site a residential urban education centre in the Olympic Park after the London 2012 Olympics? Answer from the Mayor: The LDA’s Olympic Legacy Directorate is promoting education as a key element of the Legacy Master Plan Framework (LMF) for the Olympic Park and through work with the five boroughs on the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the wider Lower Lea Valley. The LDA has been and continues to have regular dialogue with the Field Studies Council and are supportive of their proposal for an urban education centre. The proposal has been considered by the LMF team during the consultation process as part of the early design and options development work, and the FSC have taken part in consultation as part of the SRF consultation groups.

A business planning process is underway to decide on land use and activity for the Olympic Park, and surrounding areas, and the FSC proposal is being considered as part of this process. Consultation on the vision for the Park will resume in February and the LMF and strategic plan will be published in summer 2009. * Remembrance Day Question No: 2723 / 2008 Jenny Jones Will you instruct all non-emergency vehicles of the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London, and the London Fire Brigade to stop and turn off their engines in respect of the annual two minutes silence next November the 11th? This measure is particularly important for buses travelling in the roads around the ceremonies. Answer from the Mayor: Bus drivers are asked on the bus radio system to observe the two-minute silence every year on both Remembrance Sunday and November 11. I know that the vast majority of drivers observe this request. TfL will continue to remind bus drivers to adhere to the practice of pulling over and switching off during the two-minute silence where it is safe and practical to do so.

London Fire Brigade officers are already instructed to be considerate in the use of two tone horns in the vicinity of memorial events on Remembrance Day. All fire crews on duty on Remembrance Day are given the opportunity to parade on fire station forecourts as a sign of respect. The London Fire Brigade would support the principle of instructing all non-emergency vehicles to stop and turn off the engines during the two minute silence on 11 November, but

29 full consideration of the practical consequences of this would be required before it could be achieved.

* Walking websites Question No: 2724 / 2008 Jenny Jones Has Transport for London had any discussions with those running websites that promote walking, such as walkit.com? Answer from the Mayor: TfL has developed walking and cycling options within the multi-modal Journey Planner section of the TfL website, and continue to develop and enhance all their online services looking to external sites, suppliers and tools where appropriate. TfL is happy to work with, link to and promote services where the service provides enhanced information to support people’s needs. If required, we can provide examples. * Bus noise Question No: 2725 / 2008 Jenny Jones Are there any regulations setting out maximum noise limits for vehicles, including buses, operating London? If so, how are these limits enforced? Answer from the Mayor: A maximum noise emission level has been established by the European Union, which specifies that all buses operating in the UK must not exceed 82-85dB(A) when in service. All buses must undertake a ‘drive-by noise’ test which enforces these limits.

However TfL has amended its specifications for new buses entering service so that noise tests must be additionally conducted with ancillary systems in operation. The European Union does not set limits or require any noise testing for ancillary systems. This proactive TfL approach will apply to all future tender awards. TfL also requires all new buses entering the fleet to undertake a drive by test:

• achieving a 3 dB(A) reduction over the European Union legal requirement. In the case of a double-decker bus a result of no more than 77 dB(A) is required, • at full acceleration and achieve a result of no more than 79 dB(A), • at full acceleration and with all ancillary equipment operating (including engine fans) to achieve a result of no more than 82 dB(A) and 84 dB(A) respectively. * Active Spectator Programme Question No: 2726 / 2008 Jenny Jones What action is currently planned to fund and promote the Active Spectator Programme at the Olympics? Answer from the Mayor: The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is developing the Active Spectator Programme (ASP) with support and assistance from TfL. While the programme is currently unfunded, the ODA and London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games are exploring commercial sponsorship opportunities and are investigating with TfL ways in which aspects of the ASP could be delivered within or complementary to other Games time strategies and work streams. 30

To complement the ASP, TfL is delivering a network of Greenways (shared routes for cyclists and walkers) leading to and from the Olympic site which will be dedicated to active travel. *

Olympic legacy walking and cycling routes Question No: 2727 / 2008 Jenny Jones Who will manage and fund the maintenance of the legacy programme of Olympic related walking and cycling routes and facilities after October 2012? Answer from the Mayor: The implementation of the 2012 Walking and Cycling Route Enhancements programme is being funded by the Olympic Delivery Authority, managed by TfL and delivered by the various Managing Authorities including the Olympic boroughs. Maintenance of the assets will be funded and managed by the relevant Managing Authority. * Cycle parking at Olympics development Question No: 2728 / 2008 Jenny Jones Do all the developments relating to the Olympics (i.e. sports, work and residential) include space provision for secure and sufficient cycling parking? Can you provide the plans to confirm this? Answer from the Mayor: For Games time all competition venues will have secure cycle parking outside the perimeter of the venues for use by spectators and workforce.

For transformation and legacy periods all sporting venues being built in the Olympic Park will have provision for secure and sufficient cycle parking based on TfL cycle parking standards. Other development will come forward through the Olympic Park Legacy Masterplan Framework which is led by the London Development Agency and is still at an early stage. No details are available at the current time of development proposals but representation have been made to the LDA to ensure all new development in the Olympic Park in legacy has sufficient, secure cycle parking. * Cycling route on Olympics site Question No: 2729 / 2008 Jenny Jones When will a safe replacement for the cycle route on the North East corner of the Olympic site be provided and are you taking urgent action to deal with the Bow fly-over as a barrier to cycling/walking for those working on the site? Answer from the Mayor: Alternatives and diversions have been identified for cycle routes that might be interrupted by Olympic construction activity. The cycle route in the north-east corner of the Olympic Park was closed to facilitate construction activity. The alternative routing during construction involves a combination of Temple Mills Lane and Ruckholt Road. Both during transformation and in legacy, the new cycle routes across the Park will greatly enhance its connections with the local area and the rest of London. Regarding Bow fly-over, proposals to improve safety and access conditions for pedestrians and

31 cyclists are being considered by TfL within the context of wider Olympic Route Network obligations and other 2012 programmes. * Outer London Question No: 2730 / 2008 Jenny Jones Are Transport for London working on specific plans to enhance cycle corridors in outer London during 2009/10, as a replacement for cuts to the London Cycle Network+? Answer from the Mayor: I have set out my ambitions for cycle highways targeted at commuting trips in “Way to Go!” and TfL will begin serious work on these with the Boroughs and other stakeholders early in the new year. Amongst other things, this work will look to integrate the LCN+ programme with the cycle super highways to make the best use of current and future resources. * Motorbikes in bus lanes Question No: 2731 / 2008 Jenny Jones You have stated that your decision to allow motorbikes in bus lanes is based upon your belief that they can share with cyclists and pedestrians safely. Do you therefore agree to reverse this decision on the first occasion that a cyclist or pedestrian is killed or seriously injured by a motorbike in a bus lane? Answer from the Mayor: It is of course tragic whenever anyone is seriously injured or killed in an accident. TfL will continue to work to reduce the number of accidents in which people are killed or seriously injured.

TfL’s assessment of the longer-term success or failure of the scheme will include monitoring and analysis of road casualty statistics, particularly those for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Since motorbikes are being permitted access to bus lanes as part of an 18-month trial, TfL will be able to make an informed decision based on robust and evidence-based data. * Borough Targets Question No: 2732 / 2008 Nicky Gavron Can you please update us on the boroughs’ written responses to your indicative housing targets (expected on November 12)? How many have indicated that they can meet the proposed targets and how many that they cannot? Answer from the Mayor: Negotiations with boroughs are ongoing. I have published the methodology and all correspondence from the GLA, but it would be inappropriate to reveal the contents of correspondence from boroughs before the process concludes. However, I have been heartened by the constructive approach being taken by boroughs as a whole. * Metropolitan Line Rolling Stock Question No: 2735 / 2008 Navin Shah

32 In response to my question 2254/2008 regarding the new Metropolitan Line rolling stock, you responded “Although there is a reduction in the number of seats per train, the line upgrade means a more frequent train service and thereby a greater number of seats available to passengers on the line. “. Is the Mayor aware the line upgrade, including the signalling upgrade necessary to run more trains on the line, was delayed by the collapse of Metronet. What does the Mayor intend to do for the three year period where the new trains are in operation without the signalling upgrade, with a resultant overall capacity drop of 29%? What measures will you take to alleviate this congestion? Answer from the Mayor: It is important to note that there is no reduction in overall Metropolitan line capacity at any time. Overall capacity will increase with the introduction of new trains and timetable improvements which will be brought in both before and after the signalling upgrade.

It is also important to reiterate the fact that the current seating capacity is overstated. As I mentioned in my answer to question 2254/2008, the three seat transverse seat is often too cramped for three passengers. So while it is said that there are 448 seats on each train currently, in practice the number of seats that are available for use is 368.

On the latter basis, seating capacity in the peak hour will be virtually unchanged and London Underground (LU) is confident that most people at Harrow-on-the-Hill and stations north will still get a seat once the new trains are fully in use.

Following the completion of the signal upgrade peak hour seating capacity will actually increase. The additional capacity on these new trains will also provide much needed relief on the most crowded sections of the line between Baker Street and Aldgate.

Finally, it is important to note that LU is managing the signalling procurement so that there will be no delay from the original plan. * Revisions to the London Plan Question No: 2738 / 2008 John Biggs Will you expedite the inclusion targets for gypsy and traveller accommodation in the London Plan. Your London Plan team is doing valuable work in this area, which can be built on by an early revision to the Plan. What is the earliest you can revise the London Plan to include targets for this essential housing provision, for example through early revisions? Answer from the Mayor: Having considered the comments made in response to “Planning for a Better London”, I have announced that work will start now on a full review of the London Plan, so that a new document can be published in the winter of 2011. Borough-level pitch targets will therefore be included in the new London Plan, as required by Government. In the interim my draft Housing Strategy and forthcoming draft Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance will outline the findings of the borough assessment as evidence of need to support the existing London Plan policy. * Bottled Water Question No: 2743 / 2008 Murad Qureshi When does your ban on bottled water in City Hall come into force? Answer from the Mayor:

33 The core GLA has a policy not to supply bottled water for meetings at City Hall. Jugs of filtered tap water and glasses are supplied for meetings.

Sparkling water is occasionally provided at events in City Hall, but this is then re-charged to the external clients who are hiring the space.

Bottled water is available to purchase by members of the public in the City Hall Café. However, we also provide free of charge jugs of water and glasses at the café counter for staff and visitors to use. * Co-ordinated Road Works Question No: 2744 / 2008 Murad Qureshi What plans do you have to better coordinate roadworks between utility companies, boroughs and Transport for London, and when can Londoners expect to reap the benefits from this improved co-ordination? Answer from the Mayor: The public are fed up with the proliferation of road works and in particular the vast number of sites that appear to be in a state of inactivity. TfL has created several tools to assist coordination including:

• LondonWorks: provides a map-based view of all roads and the key activities on them, making coordination easier. It is available to staff in all boroughs and utilities. Access is being extended to works contractors. • The Traffic Management Learning Hub (www.londonstreetworks.net): assists works promoters and controllers improve their technical skills, and share concerns and ideas. • I am absolutely committed to the implementation of the London Permit scheme, which will increase the ability of authorities to set conditions to reduce traffic. It will formally begin operation next autumn, however, I am urging the Utility Companies to begin permitting from Spring next year. • New coordination approaches are being tested and the results shared. An example is Bishopsgate, where weekend closures of one lane at a time were shared by eleven promoters who completed 64 separate works. • Congestion analysis tools are being developed that enable the allocation of delay costs to obstructions. One burst drain cover on the A40 on a wet Sunday generated £64,000 of lost time costs for those caught in the ensuing jam. • All these tools are deployed as quickly as possible, and contribute to reducing congestion that would otherwise occur as travel and utility works requirements increase. * Less Carbon-Intensive Fuels Question No: 2745 / 2008 Murad Qureshi What are your plans for converting London’s bus fleet to less carbon-intensive fuels? What “less carbon-intensive fuels” do you have in mind? Answer from the Mayor: TfL is introducing hybrid technology to the bus fleet to assess the potential for cutting carbon emissions and lowering fuel consumption. There will be 60 hybrid vehicles in service by January 2009 and, based on the success of trials, plan to raise this by a further 100 buses by March 2010, 200 by March 2011 and 500 by March 2012.

34 My plans for the new bus for London will also offer further opportunities to cut carbon emissions through green technology fit for the 21st century.

TfL will be converting a central London single-deck route to hydrogen buses in 2010 to assess the potential this energy offers as a successor to current fossil fuels. We will monitor development of the hydrogen economy to see if it is feasible to power five percent of the bus fleet by hydrogen by 2015.

Given the current concerns about whether the global demand for biofuels can be met from sustainable sources, I want the GLA Group to use and promote only the best performing biofuels from a carbon intensity and sustainability standpoint, and oppose the use of all other biofuels.

My officers in GLA and TfL are therefore currently working with the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) to set specific sustainability criteria for biofuels and this is very likely to include a requirement that fuels meet a specified sustainability standard and minimum greenhouse gas saving.

Utility Companies Question No: 2746 / 2008 Murad Qureshi How successful has your campaign been for powers to fine utility companies who cause unnecessary delays? Answer from the Mayor: Fines can be levied for inaccurate information provision and extending highway occupation beyond the agreed time. Last financial year, TfL raised over £1 million in fines for overrunning works.

The Traffic Management Act has enabled the use of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) for failures to comply with regulations. These invite the offending utility to avoid the possibility of prosecution by paying a fixed fee. The authority retains the discretion to prosecute if it feels that to be appropriate. FPNs came into force in 12 May 2008 and since then Transport for London has given 159 FPNs, in addition TfL have taken 13 separate prosecutions under the New Roads and Street Works Act (1991). The objective is to encourage compliance, so these sanctions are supported by quarterly review meetings that make clear the impacts of failures. Other traffic authorities have the same powers.

One utility has altered its processes radically, changing contractor and creating automated connections between works instructions and information to authorities. I am aware that others have also enhanced their processes.

However, much more needs to be done to reduce the disruption caused by these works and I am pressing the Department for Transport to expedite the London Permit Scheme application so that a more effective control regime can be put in place. I have also met with heads of utility firms and am working with them to ensure improvements are achieved. * Fly Tipping Question No: 2747 / 2008 Murad Qureshi How many additional prosecutions for fly-tipping have you helped secure? Answer from the Mayor: Responsibility for tackling fly-tipping rests with local authorities and the Environment Agency.

35 The MPS work closely with the boroughs and the Environment Agency to take action on fly- tipping. Police and local authorities between them have a range of data, intelligence and enforcement powers available which together can be more effective in tackling fly-tipping and other environmental issues. So far this year (April to November) Safer Neighbourhood teams have taken action on 3,239 fly-tipping interventions. The new non-emergency phone number 101, currently being trialled in six boroughs, encourages reporting of fly-tipping and boroughs will take action on these reports. * Payments to recycle Question No: 2748 / 2008 Murad Qureshi What plans do you have to introduce payments to Londoners to recycle? What form will these payments take? Answer from the Mayor: GLA officers are in active discussion with the US company RecycleBank to investigate the opportunity of paying Londoners to recycle. I have written to the Leaders and Chief Executives of all 32 London Boroughs and the City of London to determine the level of interest in piloting the programme and discussions between interested boroughs and RecycleBank are underway. To date RecycleBank householders have diverted over 60,000 tonnes of recyclable waste from landfill and participating authorities have frequently seen recycling rates double even in areas achieving relatively high recycling prior to collaboration with RecycleBank.

The programme works by rewarding householders with vouchers that can be redeemed at local or national retailers, the value of which is determined by the weight of recyclables presented by the householder for collection. RecycleBank’s preferred business model, and one that will be operating in over twenty US states by the end of 2008, is based on sharing the financial savings made from recycling the additional material that would have gone to landfill or incineration. This is done by agreeing a base level of recycling by weight that the borough was achieving before RecycleBank introduced its scheme, calculating the weight of recycling collected whilst operating in the borough and subsequently calculating the saving to the authority of recycling that material instead of disposing of it. The percentage share is negotiable and will depend on projected availability of recyclable material and capital investment.

Braham Street Park Question No: 2749 / 2008 John Biggs Why does this scheme require LDA funding, as I understood it was to be paid for by developers as a part of the Aldgate Gyratory works? Answer from the Mayor: LDA funding will enable the park to be built in accordance with the plans approved by London Borough of Tower Hamlets. These plans have been developed by Tishman Speyer and EDCO Landscape Architects who have worked closely with Design for London, Transport for London and LB Tower Hamlets to design a park that is fully accessible, incorporating flexible use by different groups of people to enhance community cohesion. Without LDA funding the park would need to be redesigned to a lower and unsatisfactory specification. LDA funding allows the park to be fully integrated with the surrounding area and to capture the social and economic benefits of public space.

Braham Street Park is one of a number of initiatives being developed as part of High Street 2012, a project being developed by LDA / Design for London in partnership with English Heritage, LB Tower Hamlets, LB Newham, London Thames Gateway Development Corporation

36 and Transport for London. A range of public realm improvements and other interventions are proposed which can become the focus for regeneration, community pride and the visitor economy in East London.

The current estimated total cost of the park is £2.35 million. £2million will be in the form of a contribution from private developers, Tishman Speyer, through a planning and highways agreement. The LDA contribution of £350,000 will bring the total capital funding to the required sum of £2.35 million.

EU Committee of the Regions Question No: 2750 / 2008 John Biggs What advice led you to rescind your previous decision to appoint Ian Clement to the Committee of the Regions and substitute him with Roger Evans? Should Roger be flattered? Answer from the Mayor: Advice, received after the initial decision was taken, indicated that Ian Clement could not sit on the EU Committee of the Regions as a current employee of the Greater London Authority. * Thames Airport Study Question No: 2751 / 2008 John Biggs Is this proceeding? And if so under what powers and with what budget? Answer from the Mayor: The preliminary feasibility study falls under my general powers to investigate opportunities that may promote the economic and social development of Greater London.

The study will proceed, although the project is currently in the scoping stage and budget details will be agreed shortly.

Design For London Question No: 2752 / 2008 John Biggs Given that this has been scrapped, where will good design advice in future come from? Answer from the Mayor: Design for London has not been scrapped. The team has been integrated into the LDA to ensure design remains at the heart of the Agency’s work. High quality architecture and urban design and the provision of new public spaces are key Mayoral priorities. The LDA’s new Design Development and Environment directorate brings together the LDA’s work on infrastructure, environment and development with Design for London. This will ensure that development takes place within the context of an overall vision for London, and that there continues to be a strong resource to work with the boroughs and others, to improve design quality across London.

I have also recently announced the creation of a Mayor’s Design Advisory Panel. This panel is made up of four of the UK's most respected names in architecture, planning and property development - Architects Richard Rogers and current RIBA President Sunand Prasad, Chair of the English Heritage Advisory Committee, Joyce Bridges, and Joint Chief Executive of the Argent Group, Roger Madelin. This Panel, together with the Design, Development and Environment directorate, will help me push forward design excellence across the capital. *

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Parking restrictions and bank holidays Question No: 2753 / 2008 John Biggs Should week day parking restrictions apply on bank holidays? Do you agree that this can cause confusion and attract unjust penalties for Londoners who assume Sunday conditions apply? Answer from the Mayor: I agree that motorists can sometimes be confused by Bank Holiday parking restrictions. That said, whilst not a weekday, some bank holidays can often be as busy as a working week and an element of enforcement is generally therefore required.

In response to previous customer concerns, TfL has recently improved the advice on its website in relation to Bank Holidays, and is also examining other ways to better inform drivers about parking restrictions and making signage clearer. * St Andrews Hospital Site Question No: 2754 / 2008 John Biggs What was your role in negotiating this development? Given that it was minimal why do you seek publicity, by issuing press releases, for merely deciding not to direct refusal as if you were responsible for agreeing the scheme? Answer from the Mayor: GLA officers have been involved in the planning of this scheme for a number of years. Since the election both Ian Clement and I have commented to Tower Hamlets Council regarding the merits of the scheme. I think it is important for Londoners to be aware of my role in planning for London and to be aware of key development decisions that are being issued by my office and me. We will continue to keep Londoners informed on key decisions on planning applications in this manner, and will continue to boost confidence in London’s economy by publicising significant developments projects that have received my approval. * Role Distinction Question No: 2755 / 2008 John Biggs Does the Mayor understand the distinction between his role as Mayor and his other role as Chair of the MPA? Answer from the Mayor: Absolutely. My powers as Mayor are set out in the Greater London Authority Acts 1999 and 2007.

One of the major changes brought about by the amendments to the legislation was the ability of the Mayor to be chair of the MPA or to appoint the chair. I decided to appoint myself as chair and there is a clear distinction between my roles and responsibilities as Mayor and as chair of the MPA.

Motorbikes in bus lanes Question No: 2756 / 2008 John Biggs

38 Did you consult with cyclist groups when developing this initiative? Please, if so, describe the extent of your consultation and if not why not? Answer from the Mayor: TfL’s ‘Motorcycles in Bus Lanes’ consultation commenced on 27 October and included a number of key cycling stakeholders, including:

• Cycling England • London Cycling Campaign • Sustrans • The Bicycle Association * CDFIs Question No: 2757 / 2008 John Biggs Do you support the work of CDFIs in London? What is the extent, to date, of their success and how will you, if at all, be promoting their future development? Answer from the Mayor: According to research conducted in 2007 by the CDF Association, the trade body that represents CDFIs in the UK, there were then 8 CDFIs in London that have, largely successfully, financed predominantly micro businesses (those with less than 10 employees in London). Supporting small businesses is an integral part of the Economic Recovery Plan and I will certainly look at any successful model that provides access to finance to small businesses, including CDFIs. * Waiting Lists Question No: 2758 / 2008 John Biggs What will your housing strategy do for waiting lists in London? Answer from the Mayor: The London Housing Strategy will deliver 50,000 affordable homes over the next three years, which should help reduce waiting lists in London. * Orbital Bus routes Question No: 2759 / 2008 John Biggs While supporting your orbital routes initiative, can you tell me how you are promoting orbital travel between Bexleyheath or Thamesmead and Ilford or Romford? Will this travel option only be available to those with time to spare and Olympic distance swimmers? Answer from the Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) are working with Boroughs and Sub-Regional partnerships in East London to identify a jointly agreed set of issues, challenges and priorities for transport in the Thames Gateway and beyond.

The work will look at current and future demands for travel and the corresponding transport needs as well as the potential for further orbital links across the Thames over and above the new connection that Crossrail and the DLR extension to Woolwich. *

39 Fully Funded Question No: 2760 / 2008 John Biggs How does a transport investment proposal become fully funded? Answer from the Mayor: A transport proposal goes through various stages to establish viability for funding:

TfL assesses the transport needs of London by developing sub-regional models that consider population, jobs and other demographic data using statistical data from Government and other organisations. The models developed identify transport pinch points which require further work to identify possible transport solutions.

An initial pre-feasibility study is then completed to identify potential transport solutions. Key stakeholders are consulted on this to enable the production of a proposed solution in terms of modes of transport.

The initial inception is then developed and investigated further through engineering feasibility studies and a supporting business case to produce a single preferred option. This option is then developed further to a full proposal including environmental impact assessments and a supporting detailed business case.

Once a robust business case is completed and the scheme is deemed viable and exceeds the defined thresholds the funding for the implementation of the scheme is sought through various sources; Spending Reviews, Third Party funding, Section 106 contributions and Government Agency funding.

In summary a project is funded when there is a funding commitment from Government / third party for the scope of work to be undertaken.

Decisions to include a project in the TfL Business Plan is based on the available funding, funding commitment by Government/3rd party and an agreement based on Value for Money analysis by Mayor/Commissioner/ TfL Board on allocation of funding to specific projects or activities.

Thames Gateway Bridge Question No: 2761 / 2008 John Biggs Which London Boroughs expressed a view in support of the bridge? Which expressed a view against it? Which expressed no view? Answer from the Mayor: At the Thames Gateway Bridge Public Inquiry and in subsequent discussions 4 of the 5 Boroughs directly affected by the TGB supported the scheme (Newham, Greenwich, Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge) and 1 opposed (Bexley). * LIP funding Question No: 2762 / 2008 John Biggs Why did no Labour Borough (apart from Waltham Forest, a hung council) see an increase in transport funding allocation? What conclusion should Londoners draw from this?

40 Answer from the Mayor: The process of funding LIP allocations is based on TfL assessing applications from the boroughs for schemes in a number of transport programmes. The criteria used to assess and prioritise schemes is set out in the guidance that is provided to boroughs.

Principal road renewal funding, for example, is allocated on the actual condition of the road.

Inevitably, there will be variations on the funding allocated each year, not least because the schemes will be different from one year to the next.

LIP and cycling Question No: 2763 / 2008 John Biggs Given your support for cycling, why has the borough allocation for this fallen significantly? Answer from the Mayor: It has not. In 2007/08 TfL allocated £23.6M to Boroughs for cycling schemes. In 2008/09 TfL has allocated £26.4M. * Teachers free travel Question No: 2764 / 2008 John Biggs Do you support the idea that teachers be afforded free travel? Why not? Answer from the Mayor: I appreciate the great contribution that teachers make to London. However, given the constrained financial environment we are already operating under to deliver the best possible value for Londoners, I have no plans to introduce a free travel scheme for teachers. * Classical music at stations Question No: 2765 / 2008 John Biggs Please can you tell me about the initiative to play classic music at stations to reduce anti-social behaviour. At which stations is this being trialled and how were stations chosen? What is the feedback of the initiative so far, and how will you be measuring success? Answer from the Mayor: LU first conducted a trial using classical music in station ticket halls, waiting areas and walkways to improve the customer experience and discourage anti-social behaviour, in 2003/4. The first station to have this facility was Elm Park on the District line. Following the trial, LU rolled out of the facility to 25 other stations in autumn 2004. These stations were chosen in conjunction with the British Transport Police to address specific anti-social behaviour issues.

LU did some further research in 2006 to monitor the positive effect that classical music had on station ambience. This research showed that the vast majority of respondents (approximately 85 per cent) were in favour of the classical music scheme and recommended that should be extended to other stations on the network.

The research concluded that customers felt happier, more relaxed and less stressed when classical music was playing at their local station.

41 As a result the ability to play classical is now available to 64 stations across the network. It would not be appropriate to play music at all stations, notably the busy central London stations where announcements are more frequent. * LEZ (1) Question No: 2766 / 2008 John Biggs You responded to my question 1933/2008 regarding the possibility of granting exemptions to older motor homes for disabled drivers stating that you had asked TfL to review how the scheme impacts on organisations and individuals and that you expected to make an assessment of the changes in the Autumn. Can you please give me an update on the progress of this review? Answer from the Mayor: TfL is currently reviewing the options available for taking the LEZ forward and will be reporting their findings back to me shortly. I now therefore expect to make an assessment of the changes and propose a way forward early in the new year. Any changes to the scheme will be subject to consultation and will be communicated to stakeholders well in advance of any change being made. * LEZ (2) Question No: 2767 / 2008 John Biggs Many voluntary and charitable organisations operate with older minibus type vehicles and from October 2010 will have to comply with the LEZ regulations by modifying or renewing their vehicles. For reasons of financial hardship, some may not be able to do so and this could have an adverse affect on the community they work with. Will the Mayor consider extending the deadline for compliance and/or making available some grant funding? Answer from the Mayor: I value the essential role that voluntary and charitable organisations perform and TfL is currently reviewing the options available for taking the LEZ forward and will be reporting their findings back to me shortly. I expect to make an assessment of the changes and propose a way forward early in the new year. * An Increase in Cycling in London Question No: 2768 / 2008 John Biggs Some may say that more cycle lanes will help cyclists by separating them from cars. Others would say that cycle lanes often increase risk to cyclists by taking away their choice as to where to position themselves on the road. What is the Mayor’s view on cycle lanes and what are his proposals for cycle lanes. Answer from the Mayor: I believe that cyclists should be able to use all of London’s roads in safety and free from fear and that this should not require costly engineering schemes that have significant impacts on other road users. My proposals for cycle highways will provide safe and continuous routes for cyclists that will include cycle lanes where these might be appropriate and of real benefit.

42 Helicopter Noise Question No: 2769 / 2008 John Biggs In answer to my question 1677/2008 on the subject of increasing helicopter traffic over London, you said that you would write to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State supporting the recommendations of the Assembly’s Report “London in a Spin” as a practical way forward. Can you confirm that this was done and what response you have received. Answer from the Mayor: I deferred writing to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport to accommodate potential extra points from other Assembly Members. In the event, no new points emerged from Environment Committee’s consideration of a helicopter noise update report at its 18 November meeting. I have now written and will pass you a copy of the response. * Smoothing the Traffic (1) Question No: 2770 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Please provide a technical definition of your aspiration to “smooth traffic flows”? Answer from the Mayor: Smoothing traffic flow means delivering more reliable journey times, and more free-flowing travel conditions than at present. Way To Go! outlines a number of interventions to achieve this, ranging from more efficient use of road space, to looking at parking and loading arrangements, traffic signals, and road works. This approach also includes smoother journeys for pedestrians, by removing obstacles on the pavement. TfL will be working with stakeholders in the New Year to agree a common understanding of the key issues, and agree how we will collectively achieve smoother traffic flows in London. * Smoothing the Traffic (2) Question No: 2771 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What is the current average traffic speed in a) the central congestion charge zone and b) the Western Extension zone? Answer from the Mayor: TfL publishes information on congestion and traffic levels in the Congestion Charging zone in its Congestion Charging annual monitoring reports. Latest information is available in the Congestion Charging Sixth Annual Monitoring Report, published Summer 2008.

* Smoothing the Traffic (3) Question No: 2772 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What additional volumes of cars and other vehicles do you envision entering the Central Congestion Charge Zone as a result of your current programme of rephrasing traffic lights? Answer from the Mayor: TfL is working on a range of measures to improve conditions for road users in London, one of which is to review the phasing of traffic signals in order to smooth traffic flow, without significantly affecting pedestrians. At many sites, this may be achieved through improved coordination between adjacent signals to reduce the amount of stopping and starting.

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Given that traffic volumes in central London have remained at a steady low level since the start of charging but that traffic has been ‘slowed’ as a result of capacity reduction, it is envisaged that this measure will not lead to an increase in traffic levels in London, but more reliable journeys. * Smoothing the Traffic (4) Question No: 2773 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Is it true that TfL removed the right of hearses and bridal cars to park outside Emmanual Church Streatham (A23) in order to “smooth the traffic! in accordance with your mayoral policy? Answer from the Mayor: No.

TfL has been in correspondence with you and as you know signage at the Immanuel Church has been replaced to show that the parking bay here is available from 10am – 4pm. * Smoothing the Traffic (5) Question No: 2774 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Will person journey times per mile on surface transport decrease under your mayoralty? Answer from the Mayor: TfL’s Business Plan predicts a very small change in surface transport journey times over its course. This will be caused by a number of factors, including efforts to encourage more journeys to be made by walking or cycling, which will take longer. However the Business Plan does not include the effects of my intentions to smooth traffic flow, which TfL and I expect will assist. This Key Performance Indicator in the Business Plan is journey time per person, which includes the slower modes and any transfer to them. * Traffic Lights (1) Question No: 2775 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross How many traffic lights/junctions are awaiting repair, installation or replacement works across London? Answer from the Mayor: TfL currently maintains traffic signals in London at an availability rate of 97.82%, as recorded on 6 December 2008.

With regards to the installation of new or modified traffic signals, TfL currently have 137 schemes on their workbook.

With regards to the replacement of signals, TfL operates a rolling 18 year traffic signal modernisation programme, with a target to modernise all London 6000 sets of traffic signals every 18 years.

44 Traffic Lights (2) Question No: 2776 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross How long does a borough council have to wait for commissioned works on traffic lights to be carried out? Please give the shortest/median and longest wait in months for the last year’s available data. Answer from the Mayor: The average time from TfL receiving a viable traffic signals scheme, to the junction being commissioned, is 14 months. The intervening period is dependent upon the complexity of the scheme and the time required to review and approve the junction design and modelling, conduct safety checks, consult with key stakeholders and gain approvals, and procure equipment and services. TfL must rely on the services of third parties, including manufacturers, utility companies and boroughs’ contractors, who must complete all necessary civil engineering works on site before TfL’s contractors can install and commission signals equipment.

The shortest wait time for junction schemes commissioned during this financial year (2008/09) has been 12 months and the longest wait time has been 16 months.

For stand-alone pedestrian crossings, the average wait time from receiving a viable scheme, to the commissioning of the site, is 6 months. The shortest wait time for schemes commissioned during this financial year (2008/09) has been 4 months and the longest wait time has been 8 months. * Traffic Lights (3) Question No: 2777 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Please provide a list of the “about 150” traffic lights where you have “shaved seconds off red” including the location (junction, postal code area and borough) and an outline of the change made? Answer from the Mayor: I have asked TfL to send you the list of 150 traffic signal sites that I have previously referred to. TfL would be pleased to meet you to provide a detailed explanation to enable you to gain a full understanding of the changes made. * Traffic Lights (4) Question No: 2778 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross How will you determine the priority order for reviewing all traffic lights? Answer from the Mayor: TfL publishes a programme of signal timing reviews and infrastructure modernisation and development activity at the start of the financial year to London’s Highway Authorities. This programme is based upon operational requirements and the needs of stakeholders and is subject to change through the year. * Traffic Lights (5) Question No: 2779 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross How will the needs and aspirations of pedestrians and cyclists be considered when you are

45 reviewing traffic lights? Answer from the Mayor: In establishing new and reviewing existing traffic signal operations that incorporate signalled pedestrian crossing facilities, pedestrians are always provided with a safe crossing period, basedon the DfT guidance for walking speed of 1.2m/second.

Pedestrians’ opportunities to cross are governed by the cycle time at each location, which is set with due consideration to pedestrian and traffic demand.

Within TfL’s normal traffic signal timing review process, cyclists are treated as part of the general traffic, unless they are using pedestrian crossing facilities, in which case they will be treated as pedestrians. * Fatal and serious accidents Question No: 2780 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross How many fatal and serious accidents involving cyclists and non-articulated buses have there been each year since 2005/06? Answer from the Mayor: There was one fatality and 16 serious accidents involving cyclists and non-articulated buses in 2005/06, no fatalities and 18 serious collisions involving cyclists and non-articulated buses in 2006/07 and one and 19 respectively in 2007/08. * Condition of TLRN Road Surfaces Question No: 2781 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross How many serious pedestrian, cycling or traffic accidents were recorded in the last available year’s data for red routes? How many were attributed to the condition of the road surface? Answer from the Mayor: On the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) in 2007 (the latest year for which finalised collision data is available) there were 317 collisions in which a pedestrian was seriously or fatally injured, 146 collisions in which a pedal cyclist was seriously or fatally injured, and out of a total of 993 seriously or fatally injured collisions.

The police can assign contributory factors to the collision, although it is stressed that these are subjective, reflecting the reporting officer’s opinion. For the contributory factors relevant to road surface factors, out of those collisions on the TLRN resulting in a pedestrian being seriously or fatally injured, five were categorised as ‘slippery road (due to weather)’. Out of those collisions resulting in a pedal cyclist being seriously or fatally injured, one was ‘Slippery road (due to weather)’. Out of all of those collisions on the TLRN resulting in casualties being seriously or fatally injured, 19 were attributed to a ‘Slippery road (due to weather)’, six were deemed to be as a consequence of a ‘Deposit on the road (e.g. oil, mud, chippings)’ and a ‘Poor or defective road surface’ was considered to be a contributory factor in two collisions. * Bus services (1) Question No: 2782 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Did TfL previously consider deprivation factors in assessing the case for new bus routes or higher frequency of service?

46 Answer from the Mayor: TfL is discussing the background to this question with you and will reply separately in writing.

Bus services (2) Question No: 2783 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Will overall bus passenger satisfaction increase under your mayoralty? Answer from the Mayor: Whilst TfL’s Business Plan forecasts that overall bus passenger satisfaction will remain unchanged from current levels. I hope that people will continue to acknowledge thr improvements made on London’s bus network.

Bus stop accessibility Question No: 2784 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What would be the additional cost of making all bus stops accessible by 2017/18 rather than only 76%? Answer from the Mayor: It is estimated that an additional £30m would be required to complete the bus stop accessibility programme. However, it is worth noting that in reality the vast majority of London’s bus stops are already accessible. Whilst some may not meet the exact specification set out by the Disability Discrimination Act they do in fact meet the majority of accessibility requirements, with people in wheelchairs and with other mobility aids still being able to use the bus network with relative ease. TfL are prioritising interchanges and bus stops in town centres, many of which have either been completed this year or will be completed next year. * Underground Station Accessibility Question No: 2785 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Why have you reduced the target for the percent of step-free stations from 33% in 2013 to 26%? Answer from the Mayor: The 33% target was always dependent on additional funding being secured and it would therefore be unrealistic to keep this target when we know that we simply do not have the funding available to deliver it.

Improving accessibility for all Tube passengers continues to be a key priority. LU is on track to deliver 25% of stations step-free by 2010 and will also deliver step-free access in support of the Olympic games and where it is doing major redevelopment work e.g. at Victoria and Tottenham Court Road.

As and when more funding becomes available we will look at which step-free schemes should be brought forward. *

47 TfL Business Plan (1) Question No: 2786 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What estimated costs have been included in the TfL business plan for the delivery of new Routemasters? Answer from the Mayor: The TfL Business Plan contains £1.5m in 2010/11 and £1.5m in 2011/12 for designing and prototyping the new bus for London. As the manufacturer’s development costs would be amortised over the production life of the new bus, we envisage the cost of new vehicles being competitive with other buses purchased as part of the normal fleet replacement programme. * TfL Business Plan (2) Question No: 2787 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What estimated costs have been included in the TfL business plan for the removal of articulated buses? Answer from the Mayor: TfL’s business plan contains an item for bus network costs and this in initiative will be funded from within their budget item. * TfL Business Plan (3) Question No: 2788 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Will you be amending the TfL 2009/10 – 2017/18 Business Plan to take account of your decision to removed the Western Extension of the Congestion Charge? Answer from the Mayor: Having reviewed TfL’s report on the informal consultation about the future of the Western Extension, I have asked TfL to progress plans for the removal of the scheme along with measures to mitigate any unwanted effects of doing so. These plans will be subject to full public and stakeholder consultation, as part of the development of my new Mayor’s Transport Strategy. Further to this, the earliest that the Western Extension scheme could be removed is in early 2010.

As the TfL Business Plan highlights, there will need to be a revision in the light of my new Mayor’s Transport Strategy. The Business Plan currently assumes the continued existence of the Western Extension and will thus be revised in due course to reflect both my new Mayor’s Transport Strategy and changes to Congestion Charging. * Western Extension Question No: 2789 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What will the cost be of physical works to remove the Western Extension of the Congestion Charging Zone? Answer from the Mayor: Work to establish the cost of removing any on-street infrastructure and signage has produced initial estimates that the cost of the work would be between £1.5m and £2m.

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Transport Strategy Question No: 2790 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Will you abide by the result of the statutory consultation on your transport strategy? Answer from the Mayor: I am sure that the Public consultation on my new transport strategy, which is likely to take place in the latter part of next year, will provide many useful comments and recommendations on a wide variety of issues.

I will take account of all the responses made and in doing so adjust my transport strategy appropriately. * LIP Allocations (1) Question No: 2791 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Why have Harringey, Tower Hamlets, Bromley, Merton and Hounslow councils suffered over 20% cuts in their LIP funding settlements? Answer from the Mayor: The process of funding LIP allocations is based on TfL assessing applications from the boroughs for schemes in a number of transport programmes. The criteria used to assess and prioritise schemes is described in the guidance that is provided to boroughs.

Principal road renewal funding, for example, is allocated on the basis of the boroughs’ road condition surveys.

Inevitably, there will be variations on the funding allocated each year, not least because the schemes will be different from one year to the next.

In Haringey, the biggest variations are in the bridge strengthening and town centre programmes. In 2008/09 they have just under £1m for bridge strengthening, but nothing in 2009/10 as the next priorities are for bridge strengthening in other boroughs. Also in 2008/09, Haringey have £1m for Tottenham Town Centre, compared to £0.1m in 2009/10 as the scheme nears completion.

In Tower Hamlets, there is £0.74m for local safety schemes in 2008/09, and £0.225m in 2009/10, indicating an improved safety record in the borough. In Bromley, the biggest change is the allocation for bus priority from £1.1m in 2008/09 to £0.615 in 2009/10.

In Merton, the biggest change is the allocation for London Cycle Network from £0.613m in 2008/09 to £0.286m in 2009/10.

In Hounslow, the biggest changes are the allocations for bus priority, from £0.850m in 2008/09 to £0.265m in 2009/10, and London Cycle Network, from £0.725m in 2008/09 to £0.450m in 2009/10.

LCN+ Question No: 2792 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Do you want to see the LCN+ completed?

49 Answer from the Mayor: I want to see a significant improvement in the quality of cycle routes around London, including LCN+ routes, cycle highways and other routes. * New Routemaster (1) Question No: 2793 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross When will the results of the “design a bus for London” competition be announced? Answer from the Mayor: I announced the winners of each category on December 19. * New Routemaster (2) Question No: 2794 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What are the next steps in developing a new routemaster bus for London? Answer from the Mayor: The next steps are to develop a full vehicle specification and incorporate the best ideas from the design competition and take these forward to procurement.

The tendering process will launch in the New Year to find a suitable design and manufacturing supplier. Once the contract is awarded (probably at the end of 2009), a prototype will be developed for testing. Once we are confident with the prototype, we will move onto series production. * New Routemaster (3) Question No: 2795 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What will it cost to develop the new routemaster? Answer from the Mayor: Given the volumes required to operate a number of central London routes, the new bus for London will represent a sizeable order for any bus manufacturer. I expect the development costs to be amortised over enough vehicles to make the new Routemaster competitive with comparable bus types. * New Routemaster (4) Question No: 2796 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross When do you expect the first new routemaster vehicle to go into service? Answer from the Mayor: The first prototype will be ready for testing in 2011 and the first buses ready for service in 2012. *

50 New Routemaster (5) Question No: 2797 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross How many new routemaster vehicles do you expect to have in service by May 2012? Answer from the Mayor: It is difficult to estimate the actual number of new vehicles in service by this date as it is too early in the design process to establish production targets.

New Routemaster (6) Question No: 2798 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross How many routes do you expect to be served by new routemaster vehicles by May 2012? Answer from the Mayor: It is difficult to estimate the actual number of new vehicles in service by this date as it is too early in the design process to establish production targets. * Secure cycle parking Question No: 2799 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Will all the new secure cycle parking you plan to provide be free to use? Answer from the Mayor: The overwhelming majority of the new secure cycle parking that I plan to provide, will be free to use.

At sites where enhanced security is offered through off-street, secure cycle parks, there are on- going revenue costs TfL is working with partners to develop business models and examples where revenue costs of secure cycle parks are spread across other, complementary income streams which are planned at the outset. At cycle parks for commuters, these costs will be met by employers and will therefore be free to use. * Elephant & Castle (1) Question No: 2800 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross When will TfL provide the London Borough of Southwark with the information they require regarding the cost of installing new escalators for the Northern Line station at Elephant & Castle? Answer from the Mayor: As part of the proposed development being promoted by the London Borough of Southwark, the installation of escalators to the Northern line station at Elephant & Castle is one of several options being considered to relieve congestion at the station, alongside TfL’s wider interchange project for the area.

This work aligns with and is a part of the Elephant & Castle Masterplan being coordinated by the London Borough of Southwark. As a part of this, the initial phase 1 costs have already been shared with the London Borough of Southwark.

51 A refined cost estimate will be available in early January which TfL will share with LB Southwark. This will follow the draft feasibility report at the end of this year. * Elephant & Castle (2) Question No: 2801 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross When will TfL finalise the plans for the Southern roundabout at Elephant & Castle? Answer from the Mayor: Design and modeling of the southern roundabout is currently taking place. It is anticipated that agreement over the design of the Southern roundabout will be achieved by Spring 09. * Elephant & Castle (3) Question No: 2802 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross I understand you recently cycled around the Elephant & Castle roundabout system - an area where cyclist casualties have doubled since 2003. Do you believe the current road layout and quality of road surface encourages or discourages cycling? What do you plan to do to improve the Elephant & Castle for cyclists? Answer from the Mayor: Clearly the current junction is unlikely to encourage non-cyclists to take up this mode of transport. However, the design and modelling work that is currently taking place includes for the provision of facilities for cyclists to assist them in negotiating this difficult junction. There are, in addition, alternative routes for cyclists around Elephant & Castle, as recommended in TfL’s cycle guide. * Articulated Buses and Cyclists Question No: 2803 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross On 10th September 2007 you said articulated buses “wipe out cyclists, there are many cyclists killed every year by them”. Given that there have been no fatal incidents and only four serious incidents involving articulated buses and cyclists since they were introduced, on what evidence did you base this claim? Answer from the Mayor: As you know, there is a record of serious incidents involving cyclists and bendy buses. TfL defines serious incidents as those where a cyclist may have required treatment, including in hospital. There was one serious incident involving a cyclist in each of the years 2005/06 and 2006/07, and two in 2007/08.

Analysis that was undertaken by TfL earlier this year showed that bendy buses were involved in 32% more collisions in total and 36% more collisions with cyclists than non articulated buses serving a similar area, per vehicle kilometre. * East London Line Extension phase 2b Question No: 2804 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross If the government does not fill your £15m funding gap will you drop plans for phase 2b of the East London Line Extension to Peckham, Camberwell and Clapham or will you find this sum from within your £39b budget - perhaps from the £19m you have “saved” by dropping plans for a 52 Tram service to Peckham, Camberwell and Brixton? Answer from the Mayor: I recently discussed the need to fill the funding gap with the Secretary of State and am awaiting his formal response. TfL’s current business plan is fully committed but I would continue to explore ways of funding this important link should the DfT not support us. * Camberwell Transport Improvements Question No: 2805 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver for Camberwell as an alternative to the Cross River Tram? Answer from the Mayor: Many transport improvements in the TfL Business Plan will benefit people in the Camberwell area including:

- Increased capacity and frequency on the Northern, and Victoria lines benefiting those people who use the Underground from places such as Stockwell and Kennington; - Oyster validation equipment provision at all London Rail stations in zones 1-6; - Smoothing of traffic flows achieved through measures including re-phasing traffic lights, upgrading equipment at signal-controlled junctions, resolving problematic junctions and better co-ordination of road-works; - Cycling and walking improvements and local improvements in partnership with London’s boroughs and Local Implementation Plans. * Aylesbury Estate Transport Improvements Question No: 2806 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Aylesbury Estate area as an alternative to the Cross River Tram? Answer from the Mayor: Many transport improvements in the TfL Business Plan will benefit people living in the Aylesbury Estate including:

- Increased capacity and frequency on the Northern and Victoria lines for those people travelling by Underground from Stockwell or Kennington; - Oyster validation equipment provision at all London Rail stations in zones 1-6; - Smoothing of traffic flows achieved through measures including re-phasing traffic lights, upgrading equipment at signal-controlled junctions, resolving problematic junctions and better co-ordination of road-works; - Cycling and walking improvements and local improvements in partnership with London’s boroughs and Local Implementation Plans. * Walworth Transport Improvements Question No: 2807 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Walworth area as an alternative to the Cross River Tram?

53 Answer from the Mayor: TfL will, as stated in the Business Plan, work with the Boroughs, LDA and GLA to assess potential alternatives to the Cross River Tram including improving existing public transport capacity. Recommendations from the study will form part of a future bid to government.

A number of transport improvements in the TfL Business Plan will benefit people in the Walworth area, including:

- Increased capacity and frequency on the Northern, Victoria and Bakerloo Lines benefiting stations such as Elephant and Castle and Kennington which are used by people living and working in the Walworth area; - Oyster validation equipment provision at all London Rail stations in zones 1-6; - Smoothing of traffic flows achieved through measures including re-phasing traffic lights, upgrading equipment at signal-controlled junctions, resolving problematic junctions and better co-ordination of road-works; - Cycling and walking improvements and local improvements in partnership with London’s boroughs and Local Implementation Plans; - Working with Southwark on the masterplan for new development at Elephant and Castle and associated improvements to transport interchange in the area; - Increased capacity on Thameslink by 2015 will improve rail service provision at Elephant and Castle; - TfL is working with the Department of Transport and Network Rail to improve rail services in the area; - LIP funding allocation for the London Borough of Southwark will continue to support local initiatives. In 2009/10 the allocation is £4.135m which includes investment in Bus Priority, Local Cycle Networks, Road Renewal and Streets for People. * Peckham Transport Improvements Question No: 2808 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Peckham area as an alternative to the Cross River Tram? Answer from the Mayor: TfL will, as stated in the Business Plan, work with the Boroughs, LDA and GLA to assess potential alternatives to the Cross River Tram including improving existing public transport capacity. Recommendations from the study will form part of a future bid to government.

A number of transport improvements in the TfL Business Plan will benefit people in the Peckham area, including: - Increased capacity and frequency on the Northern, Victoria and Bakerloo lines which will benefit people living and working in Peckham and using the Underground as part of their journey. - Oyster validation equipment provision at all London Rail stations in zones 1-6. - Smoothing of traffic flows achieved through measures including re-phasing traffic lights, upgrading equipment at signal-controlled junctions, resolving problematic junctions and better co-ordination of road-works. - Cycling and walking improvements and local improvements in partnership with London’s boroughs and Local Implementation Plans. - TfL contributed to the South Eastern franchise specifications, which will increase off- peak services and improve station and facilities at Peckham Rye. - TfL is working closely with Government to secure funding for Phase 2 of the East London Line which would serve Peckham directly.

54 - TfL is working with the Department of Transport and Network Rail to improve rail services in the area. - By 2014 there will be capacity improvements on Southern and suburban services to London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street, improving services for Peckham Queens Road Station. - LIP funding allocation for the London Borough of Southwark will continue to support local initiatives. In 2009/10 the allocation is £4.135m which includes investment in Bus Priority, Local Cycle Networks, Road Renewal and Streets for People. * Brixton Transport Improvements Question No: 2809 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Brixton area as an alternative to the Cross River Tram? Answer from the Mayor: TfL will, as stated in the Business Plan, work with the Boroughs, LDA and GLA to assess potential alternatives to the Cross River Tram including improving existing public transport capacity. Recommendations from the study will form part of a future bid to government.

A number of transport improvements in the TfL Business Plan will benefit people in the Brixton area, including:

- The upgrade of the Victoria Line, which will be a major boost to people living or working in and visiting Brixton. Faster, higher capacity new trains with more seats, better ventilation, customer information, accessibility provision and CCTV will start entering service on the line from 2009. The line upgrade is expected to be completed in 2012 and will deliver a 19% increase in capacity and a 16% improvement in journey times; - The upgrade of the Northern line, which will benefit people travelling to or from Brixton via Stockwell. When complete in 2012 the upgrade will increase capacity 20% and reduce journey times by 18%; - Oyster validation equipment provision at all London Rail stations in zones 1-6; - Smoothing of traffic flows achieved through measures including re-phasing traffic lights, upgrading equipment at signal-controlled junctions, resolving problematic junctions and better co-ordination of road-works; - Increased capacity on Thameslink by 2015 will improve rail service provision - TfL is working with the Department of Transport and Network Rail to improve rail services in the area; - Cycling and walking improvements and local improvements in partnership with London’s boroughs and Local Implementation Plans; - LIP funding allocation for the London Borough of Lambeth will continue to support local initiatives. In 2009/10 the allocation is £3.186m which includes investment in Bus Priority, Local Cycle Networks, Road Renewal and Streets for People. * Stockwell Transport Improvements Question No: 2810 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Stockwell area as an alternative to the Cross River Tram? Answer from the Mayor: Many transport improvements in the TfL Business Plan will benefit people in the Stockwell area including:

55

- The upgrade of the Victoria line, which will be a major boost to people living or working in and visiting Stockwell. Faster, higher capacity new trains with more seats, better ventilation, customer information, accessibility provision and CCTV will start entering service on the line from 2009. The line upgrade is expected to be completed in 2012 and will deliver a 19% increase in capacity and a 16% improvement in journey times; - The upgrade of the Northern line, which will also benefit people travelling to or from Stockwell. When complete in 2012 the upgrade will increase capacity 20% and reduce journey times by 18%; - Oyster validation equipment provision at all London Rail stations in zones 1-6; - Smoothing of traffic flows achieved through measures including re-phasing traffic lights, upgrading equipment at signal-controlled junctions, resolving problematic junctions and better co-ordination of road-works; - Cycling and walking improvements and local improvements in partnership with London’s boroughs and Local Implementation Plans.

As part of the review of alternatives to CRT a number of options will be considered as part of a possible future funding bid to Government including partial separation of the Northern line. This would provide more trains per hour and could potentially increase capacity by up to a third on parts of the line – over and above the 20% increase delivered by the current upgrade. * Oval Transport Improvements Question No: 2811 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Oval area as an alternative to the Cross River Tram? Answer from the Mayor: Many transport improvements in the TfL Business Plan will benefit people in the Oval area including:

- Increased capacity and frequency on both the Northern and Victoria lines which will be a major benefit to people travelling to or from the Stockwell area. The Northern Line capacity will increase by 20% by 2012 and Victoria Line by 19% by 2013 which will reduce crowding and overall journey times for people using the Underground network in the area; - Oyster validation equipment provision at all London Rail stations in zones 1-6; - Smoothing of traffic flows achieved through measures including re-phasing traffic lights, upgrading equipment at signal-controlled junctions, resolving problematic junctions and better co-ordination of road-works; - Cycling and walking improvements and local improvements in partnership with London’s boroughs and Local Implementation Plans. * Kennington Transport Improvements Question No: 2812 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Kennington area as an alternative to the Cross River Tram? Answer from the Mayor: Many transport improvements in the TfL Business Plan will benefit people in the Kennington area including:

56 - Increased capacity and frequency on both the Northern and Victoria lines which will be a major benefit to people travelling to or from the Stockwell area. The Northern Line capacity will increase by 20% by 2012 and Victoria Line by 19% by 2013 which will reduce crowding and overall journey times for people using the Underground network from Kennington; - Oyster validation equipment provision at all London Rail stations in zones 1-6; - Smoothing of traffic flows achieved through measures including re-phasing traffic lights, upgrading equipment at signal-controlled junctions, resolving problematic junctions and better co-ordination of road-works; - Cycling and walking improvements and local improvements in partnership with London’s boroughs and Local Implementation Plans. * Elephant & Castle Transport Improvements Question No: 2813 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Elephant & Castle area as an alternative to the Cross River Tram? Answer from the Mayor: Many transport improvements in the TfL Business Plan will benefit people in the Elephant and Castle area including:

- Increased capacity and frequency on the Northern, Victoria and Bakerloo Lines benefiting stations such as Elephant and Castle and Kennington which are used by people living and working in the Walworth area; - Oyster validation equipment provision at all London Rail stations in zones 1-6; - Smoothing of traffic flows achieved through measures including re-phasing traffic lights, upgrading equipment at signal-controlled junctions, resolving problematic junctions and better co-ordination of road-works; - Cycling and walking improvements and local improvements in partnership with London’s boroughs and Local Implementation Plans. * Waterloo Transport Improvements Question No: 2814 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Waterloo area as an alternative to the Cross River Tram? Answer from the Mayor: Many transport improvements in the TfL Business Plan will benefit people travelling to or from the Waterloo area including a major increase in capacity in the Underground network on those lines serving Waterloo.

This includes a 33% increase in capacity and 22% reduction in journey times on the Jubilee line by the end of 2009; a 20% increase in capacity and 18% reduction in journey times on the Northern line by 2012; plus a 38% increase in capacity and a two minute reduction in journey times on the Bakerloo line by 2022.

This major step change in capacity will benefit the many thousands of people travelling through the Waterloo area on a daily basis reducing congestion, speeding up journeys and improving the overall travelling experience.

As part of the review of alternatives to CRT a number of options will be considered as part of a possible future funding bid to Government including partial separation of the Northern line. 57 This would provide more trains per hour and could potentially increase capacity by up to a third on parts of the line – over and above the 20% increase delivered by the current upgrade. * Holborn Transport Improvements Question No: 2815 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Holborn area as an alternative to the Cross River Tram? Answer from the Mayor: TfL will, as stated in the Business Plan, work with the Boroughs, LDA and GLA to assess potential alternatives to the Cross River Tram including improving existing public transport capacity. Recommendations from the study will form part of a future bid to government.

A number of transport improvements in the TfL Business Plan will benefit people in the Holborn area, including:

• Major investment in the Tube network. The Piccadilly line upgrade, due to be completed by 2014 will deliver new trains, a capacity increase of approximately 25% and a reduction in journey times by around 19%.

• The Crossrail scheme will have a major impact on the area for two main reasons. First, the Crossrail station at Tottenham Court Road will be accessible to people living, working and visiting the Holborn area offering a range of new journey opportunities and radically reduced journey times to destinations such as Canary Wharf and Heathrow. Second, Crossrail will reduce crowding on the Central line thus making journeys though Holborn station on the Central line less crowded and more enjoyable.

• LIP funding allocation for the London Borough of Camden will continue to support local initiatives. In 2009/10 the allocation is £6.61m which includes investment in Bus Priority, Local Cycle Networks, Local Safety Schemes and Town Centre enhancements.

• As Way To Go! Makes clear, I am also looking at ways of improving the reliability of journey times, and smoothing traffic flow, across London, and TfL is also delivering the cycle hire scheme in this area. * Euston Transport Improvements Question No: 2816 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Euston area as an alternative to the Cross River Tram? Answer from the Mayor: Whilst many of the transport initiatives funded by the Business Plan will benefit the Euston area as well as other parts of London, there are a number of specific schemes that will be a positive boost to the area.

The upgrade of the Victoria line will be a major boost to people living or working in and visiting the Euston area. Faster, higher capacity new trains with more seats, better ventilation, customer information, accessibility provision and CCTV will start entering service on the line from 2009. The line upgrade is expected to be completed in 2012 and will deliver a 19% increase in capacity and a 16% improvement in journey times. 58

The upgrade of the Northern line will also benefit people travelling to or from Euston. When complete in 2012 the upgrade will increase capacity 20% and reduce journey times by 18%.

As part of the review of alternatives to CRT a number of options will be considered as part of a possible future funding bid to Government including partial separation of the Northern line. This would provide more trains per hour and could potentially increase capacity by up to a third on parts of the line – over and above the 20% increase delivered by the current upgrade.

I would also expect to see benefits from cycle improvements in the area, such as cycle highways and the cycle hire scheme. * Camden Transport Improvements Question No: 2817 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Camden area as an alternative to the Cross River Tram? Answer from the Mayor: Whilst many of the transport initiatives funded by the Business plan will benefit the Camden area as well as other parts of London, there are a number of specific schemes that will be a positive boost to the area. Increased capacity and frequency on both the Northern and Victoria lines will be a major benefit to people travelling to or from Camden. The Northern Line capacity will increase by 20% by 2012 and Victoria Line by 19% by 2013 which will reduce crowding and overall journey times for people using the Underground network from Euston.

As part of the review of alternatives to CRT a number of options will be considered as part of a possible future funding bid to Government including splitting the Northern Line which could increase capacity on Northern Line services through Camden even further. I would also expect to see benefits from cycle improvements in the area, such as cycle highways and the cycle hire scheme. * Kings Cross Transport Improvements Question No: 2818 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Kings Cross area as an alternative to the Cross River Tram? Answer from the Mayor: TfL will, as stated in the Business Plan, work with the Boroughs, LDA and GLA to assess potential alternatives to the Cross River Tram including improving existing public transport capacity. Recommendations from the study will for part of a future bid to government.

A number of transport improvements in the TfL Business Plan will benefit people in the Kings Cross area, including:

- Increased capacity and frequency on the Northern, Victoria and Piccadilly lines; - Oyster validation equipment provision at all London Rail stations in zones 1-6; - Smoothing of traffic flows achieved through measures including re-phasing traffic lights, upgrading equipment at signal-controlled junctions, resolving problematic junctions and better co-ordination of road-works; - Proposed alternatives to Cross River Tram, e.g. splitting the Northern line, which will be considered for a future funding bid to Government;

59 - Increased capacity on Thameslink by 2015 will improve rail service provision at Kings Cross; - Working with Islington on the masterplan for new development at Kings Cross and associated improvements to transport interchange in the area; - Cycling and walking improvements and local improvements in partnership with London’s boroughs and Local Implementation Plans.

Crystal Palace Transport Improvements Question No: 2819 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Crystal Palace area as an alternative to the Tramlink Extension? Answer from the Mayor: There are a number of specific projects in the TfL Business Plan which will improve transport links in the area including: o Completion of the East London Line Extension Phase 1 to West Croydon and Crystal Palace. o TfL is paying for Oyster validation equipment to be provided at all London rail stations in zones 1-6 and is aiming to ensure that Oyster pay as you go will be available on all train services in London by late 2009. o TfL is also working more collaboratively with all of London’s boroughs in providing continued annual funding for local transport improvements through the boroughs’ Local Implementation Plans. Funding for 2009/10 rose to £167m and a simplified, more flexible process has been agreed with the boroughs that will cut administrative costs and focus more on the outcomes of the local projects funded by TfL in partnership with the boroughs. o The boroughs along the proposed route will also benefit from some of the London-wide cycling and walking improvements delivered by the Plan including cycle hubs in outer London to create beacons of cycling excellence across the city and there will be range well as through a range of local improvements in partnership with London’s boroughs.

The TfL Business Plan will also deliver an increase in cycle parking provision by 66,000 spaces across London and continued support for cycle training. TfL will conduct a wider study involving the Boroughs affected as part of the new sub-regional transport strategy in development for the revised Mayor’s Transport Strategy, to assess the transport needs of this part of Outer London and a recommendation from this study will form part of a future funding bid to Government. * Anerley Transport Improvements Question No: 2820 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What transport improvements will you deliver to the Anerley area as an alternative to the Tramlink Extension? Answer from the Mayor: There are a number of specific projects in the TfL Business Plan which will improve transport links to the Anerley the area including: o Completion of the East London Line Extension Phase 1 to West Croydon and Crystal Palace serving Anerley station o TfL is paying for Oyster validation equipment to be provided at all London rail stations in zones 1-6 and is aiming to ensure that Oyster pay as you go will be available on all train services in London by late 2009.

60 o TfL is also working more collaboratively with all of London’s boroughs in providing continued annual funding for local transport improvements through the boroughs’ Local Implementation Plans. Funding for 2009/10 rose to £167m and a simplified, more flexible process has been agreed with the boroughs that will cut administrative costs and focus more on the outcomes of the local projects funded by TfL in partnership with the boroughs. o The boroughs along the proposed route will also benefit from some of the London-wide cycling and walking improvements delivered by the Plan including cycle hubs in outer London to create beacons of cycling excellence across the city and there will be range well as through a range of local improvements in partnership with London’s boroughs.

TfL will conduct a wider study involving the Boroughs affected as part of the new sub-regional transport strategy in development for the revised Mayor’s Transport Strategy, to assess the transport needs of this part of Outer London and a recommendation from this study will form part of a future funding bid to Government. * Ebony Horse Club Question No: 2821 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Will you support the aspiration of the Ebony Horse Club to build a riding centre for local and disadvantaged Children in Brixton by supporting its designation as an Olympic legacy project? Answer from the Mayor: Currently there are no plans to designate individual projects as ‘Olympic Legacy Projects’. However, any scheme or project that has been inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games can apply for use of the non-commercial London 2012 ‘Inspire Mark’. All projects will be considered on their own merits and any interested party should contact my London 2012 Team at [email protected].

Department for Transport. Question No: 2822 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What discussion have you had with the DfT about the Thames Gateway Bridge? Answer from the Mayor: I discussed the issue of the Thames Gateway Bridge at my meeting with the Secretary of State in July and discussed the possibility of transferring the PFI credits for an alternative scheme.

As you know I was concerned that the regeneration benefits from the scheme were never robustly demonstrated, many expressed widespread environmental concerns, and funding arrangements were never assured. * Croydon Tramlink Question No: 2823 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What representations have you received from a) the Councils in the area b) the business community and c) other community members and representatives about your dropping of the extension of Tramlink to Crystal Palace ?

61 Answer from the Mayor: Since the announcement in the Business Plan not to pursue the extension of Croydon Tramlink to Crystal Palace, TfL has held a number of meetings with key stakeholders. These include meetings with Bromley and Croydon Councils in particular, but also with representatives from sub-regional partnerships and business representatives in South London.

Whilst the decision not to proceed with the extension is clearly disappointing for the stakeholders they are keen to work closely with TfL in developing the transport strategy for the South London area where the role of future Tramlink extensions, as well as potential development of Overground Services will be actively considered. I discussed these issues at a recent meeting with the London borough of Croydon.

The continued development and expansion of the Tram network in Croydon has to be in the context of a realistic funding package. The current business plan does not have the headroom to fund this scheme but there may opportunities in the future for additional funding for extensions to Tramlink which will be explored. * Peckham Rye Station Question No: 2824 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross This busy station is in serious need of accessibility works and improvement. Will TfL Rail be aiming representations to the DFT in support of favouring this station in the next round of DfT Access for All funding? Does the recent rediscovery of internal lift shafts improve the likelihood of works at this station? Answer from the Mayor: TfL will lobby the DfT to put Peckham Rye station forward in a future phase of Access for All, because of high its patronage levels and its status as an important interchange.

The discovery of lift shafts may improve the case for installing new lifts if they can be suitably restored and can accommodate new lift equipment. * Cross River Tram(1) Question No: 2825 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross What plans and discussion have you had with the affected Councils about substitute proposals to boost transport and regeneration in these areas or do you intend to abandon them to neglect? Answer from the Mayor: During the first part of next year (2009), TfL will be working with the Boroughs and the LDA to look at alternatives to CRT including Northern line separation, improved bus operations and other ways of supporting local regeneration. Recommendations from the alternatives study could form part of a future funding bid to government. * Cross River Tram (2) Question No: 2826 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross If Borough Councils decide they wish to take on the Cross River Tram project, will you back them and support proposals for Trams to be introduced on the TfL roads on the route?

62 Answer from the Mayor: Any proposal from Boroughs to progress the Cross River Tram project would require a major commitment in funding to secure the necessary powers and consents and the costs of implementation.

However, if the Borough Councils have the funding to progress the scheme then TfL would be happy to work with the Boroughs to assess the impact of the proposal on the TfL road network.

Planning for schemes to be implemented beyond 2017 will be developed as part of revision to the Mayor’s Transport Strategy and the London Plan over the next two years. Borough support is crucial to bringing major schemes to fruition and they will be actively involved in these revisions, the development of new proposals and in looking at alternatives to the Cross River Tram. * Orbi buses Question No: 2827 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Are the additional buses on the existing x26 route the fulfillment of your manifesto aspirations for orbital bus routes? Answer from the Mayor: Yes, this meets my commitment to trial orbital bus routes. The frequency of route X26 was doubled for most of the day from Monday to Sunday on the 22 November. TfL is undertaking extensive before and after passenger research to assess the reaction to the change. This will help TfL better understand the benefits of future enhancement and in planning future enhancements.

Also, you will be are aware that there is an extensive network of bus routes linking town centres in both inner and outer London. TfL is bringing forward proposals to a number of these as part of their ongoing work to develop the bus network. For example:

• Route 140 (Harrow Weald – Heathrow via Harrow, Northolt and Hayes) - off-peak frequency increases are planned. • H9/H10 (Harrow – Harrow via Rayners Lane, Harrow & Wealdstone and Northwick Park) - frequency increases are being investigated. • Route 132 will be extended to North Greenwich in January providing new and/or faster links between there and Kidbrooke, Eltham and Blackfen. • TfL is working with the Park Royal Partnership, the London Boroughs of Brent and Ealing and other stakeholders on a possible extension of route 440 from Stonebridge Park to Wembley. The scheme will improve links between the employment opportunities and health facilities in Park Royal and the residents of Wembley.

Similar service changes will be proposed in the future to other routes (subject to budget constraints). * Dangerous Dogs Question No: 2828 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Please update me on what action has been taken into response to the Assembly motion asking for action to tackle the issue of Dangerous Dogs (and their owners) in London.

63 Answer from the Mayor: I have asked the Deputy Mayor for Policing, in his capacity as Vice Chair of the MPA, to oversee developments and bring forward an action plan in early 2009 to tackle the use of animals as weapons and reduce the number of attacks on people and animals.

To assist in the development of the action plan the MPS is working with a range of agencies through the newly formed, London Dangerous Dogs Forum. Membership of the forum, chaired by the MPS, includes RSPCA, Battersea Dog’s and Cat’s Home, Mayhew Animal Shelter, the Dogs Trust and borough representatives. This joint work is already producing results. The MPS and the RSPCA are working together to share data and intelligence to develop a broader picture of incidents and complaints from the public which will help to target future activity.

The MPA has included additional funding to tackle dangerous dogs within the draft Policing London Business Plan 2009-12.

London Bridge station Question No: 2829 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Is TfL London Rail satisfied that the plans for new platforms at London Bridge provide the maximum possible additional platform capacity? Answer from the Mayor: One of the main objectives of the Thameslink Programme is to increase capacity by operating more trains and longer trains through central London. To achieve this more through platforms are required at London Bridge, with a consequent reduction in the number of terminating platforms because of the constrained site. The new platforms will be constructed to take longer trains than currently operate. TfL London Rail is satisfied that the final scheme will deliver sufficient capacity for the long term in a cost efficient way.

Emergency Public Rail Summit Question No: 2830 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross Have you set a date, agenda and invitation list for your “Emergency Public Rail Summit”? If so, what are they? If not, why not? Answer from the Mayor: A date will be set for the Summit for early in 2009. Once this has been done an agenda can then be put forward. Although, there has been on-going work to support the summit. * Offley works - Young People Question No: 2831 / 2008 Valerie Shawcross I am concerned about the future of the Youth and Community organisations which currently operate in Offley works Lambeth - with help from the London Development Agency- the owners. These organisations are seeking alternative premises, but in the meantime they would like to know whether there may be opportunities for their organizations to enter into new arrangements with the LDA. Can you please answer these questions they have asked me to put to you for them and on behalf of the youngsters who attend their classes? a) Has a developer been selected for Offley Works? b) Has planning consent been obtained from Lambeth for the redevelopment of the Offley works building? If not when is it intended to submit an application? 64 c) If there is no developer or planning permission, it could take another year to put these instruments in place. In the interim, since the Mayor is keen to reduce youth crime in London, will the Mayor support the continued use of Offley Works, 44-46 Offley Road by the groups led by Code 7 and Starlight Music Academy (SMA) that have contributed to the significant reduction in street crime as illustrated by Lambeth’s Borough’s Commander? d) Will the Major accept an alternative proposal for the development of the building from the young people at Offley Road? Answer from the Mayor: The LDA is approaching the completion of the developer selection process. Due to challenging market conditions the LDA invited prospective development partners to submit a revised financial proposal. It is anticipated that a preferred developer will be selected early January 2009.

Planning consent has not been obtained from Lambeth to date. The preferred development partner together with the architect (6a) will prepare and submit a joint planning application with the LDA for an employment led mixed use scheme in late 2009.

The LDA will be entering into a contractual relationship with the preferred developer in early 2009, consequently, vacant possession of the whole site will be required in March 2009.

The aim of the development proposal is to create an employment led mixed use development offering new employment space for SMEs. If there is scope for Offley Works young people to take advantage of these new facilities, that would be welcome. * Draft Housing Strategy Question No: 2832 / 2008 John Biggs Will you be asserting your endorsement of the 2008 London Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment and it’s demonstration of the clear and pressing need for this housing provision? Will you consider strengthening your housing strategy to help achieve this? Answer from the Mayor: The Draft London Housing Strategy sets out the need for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in London. However, borough level targets for pitch provision can only be set in the London Plan, not through the Housing Strategy. Supplementary Planning Guidance on Housing will be issued for consultation in early 2009 and this will contain further guidance for boroughs on meeting the need for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation. * Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance Question No: 2833 / 2008 John Biggs I understand that you intend to produce a draft Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance in spring 2009. Will you include within this your targets and priorities for boroughs to provide accommodation for gypsies and travellers, as demonstrated by the 2008 London Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment? Answer from the Mayor: As I have stated in my answer to question 2738, the draft Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance will outline the findings of the borough assessment as evidence of need to support the existing London Plan policy. Because it is not possible to change policies in the London Plan through supplementary guidance, borough-level pitch targets will have to wait to be included

65 when the London Plan is revised. I have announced a full review of the Plan, which means that work on this and other policy areas will start immediately. * Western Extension Question No: 2834 / 2008 Murad Qureshi What impact will the closure of the Western Extension of the Congestion Charging Zone have on the air quality of London? Answer from the Mayor: TfL estimates that there would be a small increase in emissions in the Zone, but this change is unlikely to have a material effect on measured air quality in London. * Congestion Charging Zone Question No: 2835 / 2008 Murad Qureshi Can you provide me with the latest measures of air quality inside the original Congestion Charging Zone and the Western Extension area? Answer from the Mayor: Trends in air quality within the extended central London congestion charging zone are summarised in TfL’s Sixth Annual Report. More recent information for individual air quality monitoring sites can be found on the London Air Quality Network website. This shows up to date monitoring results for air quality in and around Greater London, including those sites used for congestion charging purposes. The information is available for the whole of London and by borough at http://www.londonair.org.uk/. * Western Extension Air Quality Question No: 2836 / 2008 Murad Qureshi Regardless of its primary function, cancelling the Western Extension seems a regressive measure with regard to improving London’s air quality. What are you doing to counteract the negative impact on London’s air quality that this decision is bound to have? Answer from the Mayor: TfL estimates that a rise in traffic levels as a result of removing the Western Extension would lead to local increases in emissions of air pollutants. However, the estimated levels of change in vehicle emissions in the zone are unlikely to have a material effect on measured air quality in the zone or more widely in London. Other factors have a more significant impact on local air quality such as pollution from outside London, the effects of dispersion, and the influence of meteorology. Overall, the concentration of pollutants is less influenced by emissions from traffic actually in the zone than these other factors.

TfL is promoting sustainable choices to Londoners to encourage a further modal shift from private transport to walking, cycling and public transport. TfL runs information campaigns on ways in which drivers can reduce fuel consumption and vehicle emissions by making changes to their driving style and improved vehicle maintenance (sometimes known as ‘eco-driving’). As Way To Go! Makes clear, I am also looking at ways of improving the reliability of journey times, and smoothing traffic flow, across London, and TfL is looking at ways to implement this.

From 2012 all new buses entering service will be hybrid and hydrogen buses are being trialled.

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The London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) seeks to improve air quality in London. In addition, the original Congestion Charging scheme will continue to seek to encourage those who drive in central London to choose less-polluting vehicles through the 100 per cent discount for electric and certain alternative fuel vehicles. * Low Emission Zone Question No: 2837 / 2008 Murad Qureshi Given that poor air quality shortens life expectancy by an average of 8 months in Europe, there is a grim irony in your decision to exempt ambulances from adhering to emissions limits in the Low Emission Zone. What was the reason for this exemption and will you be reviewing your decision? Answer from the Mayor: There is currently no discount or exemption for ambulances from the LEZ. Only the very largest ambulances are currently affected by the LEZ and the vast majority of these already meet the LEZ emissions standards. No Penalty Charges have therefore been issued to an ambulance.

In advance of the planned expansion of the LEZ in 2010, I have asked TfL to review the impact that the scheme has on organisations and individuals, whilst ensuring that it still meets the objectives of improving air quality and the associated health benefits. I expect to make an assessment of the changes and propose a way forward early in the new year. Any changes to the scheme will be subject to consultation and will be communicated to stakeholders well in advance of any change being made. * House price index Question No: 2838 / 2008 Murad Qureshi What are GLA Economics figures for the house price index? Does this include repossessions and auction figures? Answer from the Mayor: GLA Economics uses various sources of information for house price indexes. The most comprehensive figures are available from the Land Registry at http://www.landreg.gov.uk/houseprices/

However these are time lagged and do not include auctions and repossessions.

For more timely sources, we use DCLG, HBOS and Nationwide indices, all of which partially include auctions and repossessions because they are based on new mortgages. Sources: 1. DCLG: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/t591.xls 2. HBOS: http://www.hbosplc.com/economy/historicaldataspreadsheet.asp 3. Nationwide: http://www.nationwide.co.uk/hpi/historical.htm

DCLG have data on repossessions as a percentage of mortgages (latest figure are to 2007) Source: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/141023.xls The next update of this data is due in February 2009. *

67 Empty homes Question No: 2839 / 2008 Murad Qureshi How many empty homes do we have in London? By borough, can you tell me whether these are privately or publicly owned, and how long each of them has been empty? Answer from the Mayor: There are 83,000 empty homes in London. Details by borough and tenure can be found on the Communities and Local Government website at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatistics by/localauthorityhousing/dataforms/357553/hssa200607/. * Filling Empty Homes Question No: 2840 / 2008 Murad Qureshi How many shared ownership homes are currently standing empty and what are you doing to fill them? Answer from the Mayor: Latest data from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) suggests that in October 2008 suggests there were approximately 2,500 vacant low cost home ownership units in London. The HCA is monitoring the situation closely, and the HCA and GLA will work with housing associations to develop appropriate responses to ensure that these homes are brought into use as soon as possible, as set out in the draft London Housing Strategy. * London Schools Environment awards Question No: 2841 / 2008 Murad Qureshi In your answer to my question 2629 / 2008 regarding the demise of the London Schools Environment awards, which worked with over 580 schools across London, you mentioned “half a dozen schemes in London working with schools to promote environmental awareness.” What are these other schemes and how many schools are actively involved in them? Answer from the Mayor: There are a number of school environment programmes happening in the UK and Europe that London schools are participating in. Some of these include:

‘Eco Schools’ - There are 46 countries around the world that run the Eco-Schools programme, linking more than 40,000 schools - from the UK to France, from Morocco to South Africa. Eco- Schools is administered in England by ENCAMS.

‘Generation Green’ - 6311 schools signed up in the UK. The project, run by British Gas, is based on schools downloading lesson plans, carrying out energy audits and completing tasks to earn 'green leaves' which can be exchanged for wind turbine kits, botanicals kits, composters, and solar water heater kits etc.

‘Green School Awards’ - The Green School Awards for 7-11 year olds, organised by the Young People's Trust for the Environment (YPTE). Last years take up was 203 schools (18,000 children) in UK.

The 'Water Wise Schools Programme' by Thames Water was set up in September this year to can help schools reduce water usage, associated costs and other environmental impacts.

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'The Pod by EDF Energy' also launched in September has activities for schools to save energy and water. EDF have also lunched EDF Energy's Awards for Greener Schools. The 'Appetite for Action' by Global Action Plan – scheduled to be launched in January 2009, promotes a range of sustainability issues through the topic of food, from the energy that goes into packaging to the gases released through waste.

Many of the London borough councils are running individual environmental education programmes to support the schools in their region.

All London schools can get involved with the School Travel Plan, an initiative set-up in conjunction with Transport For London. This has been designed to encourage sustainable travel choices for London’s school children and students. This project can deliver carbon savings and will help to reduce London’s contribution to Climate Change. Since they were introduced in 2005 the School Travel Plans have reduced car trips by 6.4% - equivalent to 3.3 million annual car journeys or 2,091 tonnes less C02. The Greater London Authority also has sponsored free admission and educational activities to ZSL London Zoo and to the London Wetland Centre for children in London state Primary and Secondary schools to aid with conservation education.

The Greater London Authority also has sponsored free admission and educational activities to ZSL London Zoo and to the London Wetland Centre for children in London state Primary and Secondary schools to aid with conservation education.

I will be encouraging London’s schools to get involved with Capital Growth, to grow food for themselves and their local communities. One of my officers will be writing to each of the 2336 London Primary Schools in the New Year with details of this exciting project. * Fuel Poverty Question No: 2842 / 2008 Murad Qureshi What measures are you taking to help Londoners suffering from fuel poverty? Answer from the Mayor: Fuel poverty is a significant issue and linked to excess winter deaths, which tend to affect the elderly in particular. The key factors which affect whether people can pay their fuel bills are: their income, the energy efficiency of their home and fuel prices.

In order to maximise incomes, my team is developing a Your Rights information and advice campaign in conjunction with Age Concern London, Citizens Advice Bureaux London and the Energy Saving Trust advice line. The main purpose of this campaign is to ensure older people and carers are taking up the benefits they are entitled to.

I recently announced that I will work with London's boroughs to ensure all Londoners have access to minimum hassle, zero upfront cost energy efficiency measures to reduce energy consumption in their homes.

My housing strategy also identifies a number of measures to improve existing homes, including making resources available from the Targeted Funding Stream for vulnerable households in the private sector to improve their homes to the Decent Homes standard and beyond. *

69 10,000 trees Question No: 2844 / 2008 Murad Qureshi How many of the 10,000 trees promised in your manifesto have so far been planted, and in which boroughs? How is the scheme being managed and how much is it costing? Answer from the Mayor: I expect the first trees to be planted in January, with up to 1,500 planted by the end of the current financial year. Planting is currently planned in Brent, Haringey, Havering, Hillingdon, Islington, Merton, Newham, Southwark and Tower Hamlets.

The Forestry Commission manage the scheme as an extension of their London Tree and Woodland Grant Scheme. It will cost around £4 million over four years. * 10,000 trees Schedule Question No: 2845 / 2008 Murad Qureshi How many of the 10,000 trees from your manifesto commitment will be planted in each of London’s 33 Local Authorities? What is the timetable for completing this work? Answer from the Mayor: The trees will be planted in 40 priority areas, with one or two areas identified in each borough. An average of 250 trees will be planted in each area, and I hope that at least 100 will be planted in every area, with a maximum of 400. Therefore between 100 and 800 trees will be planted in each borough. All the trees will be planted by the spring of 2012. * Cost of LWRB Question No: 2846 / 2008 Murad Qureshi How much has the London Waste & Recycling Board spent so far and what has it achieved to date? Answer from the Mayor: In accordance with the Order (article 15) the Board must prepare a priorities plan by 31 March each year which statutorily sets the Board's priorities for disbursing funds. The London Waste and Recycling Board was constituted in July 2008 and had its first board meeting in September 2008.

The Board is currently working up its 2009/10 priorities, which will be put forward for adoption in the February 2009 Board Meeting.

The Board adopted an interim priorities plan in Septrember under which £1.5 million of the board’s funds has been provided to the Recycle for London campaign. The campaign provides a single recycling message for London and provides support to London boroughs. The first half of the campaign was launched in November. *

70 Effectiveness of LWRB Question No: 2847 / 2008 Murad Qureshi How do you plan to measure the effectiveness of the London Waste and Recycling Board? Answer from the Mayor: The London Waste and Recycling Board is in the process of developing its priorities plan for 2009/10. The priorities plan will be adopted in February 2009. The priorities plan will set out key performance indicators that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the Board. * London’s recycling rates Question No: 2848 / 2008 Murad Qureshi How will you ensure London’s recycling rates increase to meet government targets? Will you be setting Londonwide recycling targets for each of the boroughs to attain? Answer from the Mayor: I am committed to working with boroughs to increase London’s municipal, waste recycling and composting performance, which is currently at 22 per cent. Whilst there are some high performing boroughs, achieving 35-40 per cent recycling rates, there is a wide disparity in performance across London with some boroughs achieving recycling levels of less than 20 per cent.

I will champion innovative approaches to improving recycling, such as the US scheme, RecycleBank, which pays people to recycle whilst reducing the amount of waste to landfill and I have written to all London Boroughs to gauge their interest in this scheme.

I will work with London boroughs to exploit the economic opportunities and environmental benefits from increased recycling. For example, currently about 80 per cent of London’s household tins and cans are sent to landfill. If this material were recycled Londoners would save £15m in landfill disposal costs and 1800 tonnes of carbon dioxide would be avoided per year. Other significant opportunities exist for food, paper and card, wood and plastic waste. The London Waste and Recycling Board (LWaRB) will play a key role in realising this.

The GLA and London Councils intend to undertake a joint study looking at participation rates in recycling services across London, the cost and effectiveness of various recycling methods, determining the composition of waste currently being sent to landfill and identifying best practice in London in order to understand what works well in London and to inform the work and the decision making of the LWaRB as well as the next Municipal Waste Management Strategy for London.

I will be revising my Municipal Waste Management Strategy in 2009 and will consult with London Boroughs on how best to increase local recycling rates. I expect to release a draft strategy in 2009. * Blackwall Tunnel Tidal Flow Question No: 2849 / 2008 Len Duvall Can the Mayor update me on the discussions he has had with Ministers, Local Authorities and TfL concerning the Blackwall Tunnel and the removal of the tidal flow and the Silver Town link?

71 Answer from the Mayor: I want to restore tidal flow at Blackwall Tunnel and TfL is exploring how to deliver this. There are a number of difficult issues that TfL must resolve before this can happen. When a workable arrangement is defined I will talk to key stakeholders.

In parallel, I have asked TfL to look at options for a new river crossing east of Tower Bridge, including at Silvertown, as part of a wider study of the London Thames Gateway which will include the LDA, local boroughs, HCA, relevant Government partners and the business community. Safeguarding is already in place for a crossing at Silvertown, which could either be a tunnel or a high bridge. TfL will look at these proposals as well as other options for a crossing in this location.

The first phase of this work is to establish the future need and role of a crossing and how this would address some of the existing problems in the area as well as supporting plans for future growth. * Municipal Waste target Question No: 2850 / 2008 Murad Qureshi The Mayor’s Municipal Waste Strategy sets a target for Greater London of 50% of municipal waste to be recycled or composted by 2010. How much is currently recycled and composted, and will this target be achieved? Answer from the Mayor: The current Municipal Waste Strategy 2003 aims to exceed recycling and composting rates in municipal waste of 35 per cent by 2010. Currently London recycles or composts 22 per cent of its municipal waste. While this performance is short of that target, some boroughs are already achieving 35-40 per cent recycling levels.

We are seeking to use the London Waste and Recycling Board, RecycleBank and are exploring other initiatives to best boost this rate. * Impact of LEZ Question No: 2851 / 2008 Murad Qureshi The current Municipal Waste Strategy 2003 aims to exceed recycling and composting rates in municipal waste of 35 per cent by 2010. Currently London recycles or composts 22 per cent of its municipal waste. While this performance is short of that target, some boroughs are already achieving 35-40 per cent recycling levels.

We are seeking to use the London Waste and Recycling Board, RecycleBank and are exploring other initiatives to best boost this rate.

What impact has the Low Emissions Zone had so far on London’s air quality? Will this be enough? Answer from the Mayor: TfL is still in the process of assembling data from the air quality monitoring sites which will be used to assess trends and impacts attributable to the LEZ scheme.

95% of vehicles affected by the LEZ in 2008 now meet the LEZ emissions standards. TfL can therefore assess the expected impacts of the LEZ based on the changes in emissions from the vehicle fleet. The LEZ is expected to reduce total road traffic related emissions of particulate matter (PM10) in Greater London by 2.6% in 2008 and by up to 6.6% in 2012.

72 A programme of impacts reporting will be produced throughout the life of the scheme. TfL’s baseline monitoring report (July 2008) is now available on TfL’s website and provides detailed information on the baseline conditions before the scheme went live, initial findings following implementation of the first phase of the scheme in February 2008, and the expected future impacts of the LEZ. * Air quality Question No: 2852 / 2008 Murad Qureshi What are you doing to improve London’s air quality? Answer from the Mayor: There a number of major initiatives already in place in London to reduce pollution emissions in London including the Low Emission Zone, which tackles pollution from the heaviest most polluting vehicles, and emission controls on buses and taxis. I am also currently looking at further proactive measures I can take to reduce emissions that affect London’s air quality. As you know we don’t control many sources of emissions in London, but we still seek to influence them.

Government are in the process of preparing their submission to the European Commission to request an extension to the EU limit values for PM10. I am meeting Lord Hunt, Minister responsible for air quality in January, to discuss the Government’s plans and give him our proposals on what should be done to tackle this issue.

My revised Air Quality Strategy will contain policies and proposals to improve London’s Air Quality. TfL and GLA officials are currently exploring possible options available. * CO2 emissions Question No: 2853 / 2008 Murad Qureshi What are London’s CO2 emissions currently & has this reduced since you were elected? Answer from the Mayor: The CO2 emissions from London for 2008 will be available at the earliest at the end of 2010. This is because the information supplied by Government needed to calculate London’s CO2 emissions has a two-year lag time in which to process the information. Currently, the information is not available for shorter timescales than annually, and as such it is not possible to determine whether there has been a reduction in emissions since the elections.

The most up to date information for London’s CO2 emissions are now available as part of the London Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 2004/05. In 2005, London’s CO2 emissions from the Domestic, Industrial and Commercial and Transport Sector (including aviation to 1000m and shipping within London) were 45,385,360 tonnes CO2.

We are looking at how we can get much faster turnaround of information and will consider this as part of the forthcoming Climate Change Mitigation and Energy Strategy. * Reduce by 80% Question No: 2854 / 2008 Murad Qureshi I notice you agree with the Government that we need to reduce greenhouse gases by a challenging but necessary 80%. What measures have you put in place to ensure we meet this

73 target in London? Answer from the Mayor: The Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) target of reducing carbon dioxide by 60% by 2025 set the levels of ambition needed to address climate change (this trajectory achieves 80-90% by 2050). I am pleased that Government now recognise this and are setting ambitious targets for 80% by 2050, which I endorse.

A number of programmes are already in place across the GLA group and as you know I am reviewing them to assess their impact to ensure that we deliver maximum benefit, value for money and strategic fit. I refer you to Question number 2516/2008 that sets out the types of programmes and approaches that we need.

I am absolutely determined that London be one of the world’s leaders in delivering CO2 reductions. Further detail of measures to achieve the 80 per cent target will be included in the forthcoming Climate Change Mitigation and Energy strategy. * Enviro ‘phone line Question No: 2855 / 2008 Murad Qureshi How many calls have so far been received by your environmental crime ‘phone line? Answer from the Mayor: March - 26th October 2008 total calls received to the single non-emergency number were 5814. The total number of service requests received from these calls were 481. * Western Extension Congestion Charge Zone Question No: 2856 / 2008 Jennette Arnold At least 136 people were killed trying to cross the Berlin Wall to flee from East to West Berlin. In that perspective, do you agree with me that it was rather distasteful of the leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council to compare the western extension of the congestion charge zone to the Berlin Wall? Answer from the Mayor: It is important to focus on the fact that Londoners had the opportunity to have their say, and I have abided by their wishes. That is what a healthy democracy should be about. * Step Free Access Question No: 2857 / 2008 Jennette Arnold I welcome your survey to make London more accessible for people with disabilities, parents with prams and older Londoners. How are you planning to achieve this aim when you have just decided to scrap three major Step Free Access projects in my constituency? Answer from the Mayor: One of the key aspirations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and their legacy is the vision that the Games will be the most inclusive and accessible ever. The way in which we provide access and include everybody will be a major benchmark of the success of 2012 This major survey which will be launched early in the New Year will provide a base line to establish the current perceived levels of access in and around London. It will also provide valuable data from

74 the Disabled and Deaf communities about accessible hotspots and areas of the Capital that are considered more difficult to negotiate.

I understand your disappointment about the deferral of the step-free access projects at Archway, Finsbury Park and Highbury & Islington stations and can assure you that as soon as we have funding available we will take these projects forward.

London Underground is on target to make 25% of LU stations step-free by 2010. It is important to remember that accessibility is not just about the provision of lifts. On the Tube, improvements to information systems help those with hearing or visibility impairments. Over 100 wide-aisle gates have been installed to date, allowing independent access to stations by those with mobility impairments, luggage or pushchairs. From 2009 new trains will enter service on the Victoria line, followed by the Metropolitan, Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines, all of which comply with modern accessibility regulations with improved facilities for disabled customers.

Furthermore, TfL is enhancing the accessibility of London’s transport network by increasing the number of Overground stations that have step-free access from street to platform, improvements to safety, security and information provisions at stations. * Violence against Women Strategy Question No: 2858 / 2008 Jennette Arnold Can you provide us with some more information about the strategy you are currently developing to address all forms of violence against women in London? What are the aims and reach of this strategy? Can you indicate a timescale for its implementation and is there a timescale for the provision of the four new rape crisis centres? Answer from the Mayor: The London strategy to take action on Violence Against Women will identify a set of priorities for tackling the issues of wider forms of gender-based violence including rape, domestic violence, forced marriage, stalking, sexual exploitation, prostitution, trafficking, female genital mutilation (FGM), other forms of female mutilation and crimes in the name of ‘honour’. It will seek to raise awareness, reduce the number of incidents, improve the criminal justice response and improve response to victims.

The strategy will be launched for public consultation in April 2009.

A key deliverable of the London Violence Against Women Strategy, which will be launched for public consultation in April 2009, is ‘ensuring there is adequate provision for rape crisis services in London within this Mayoral term’. Research and consultation help us assess in more detail the rape crisis need in London and consequent budget needs. This work will then be used to inform funding allocations from April 09 onwards. * Fuel Poverty Question No: 2859 / 2008 Jennette Arnold National Energy Action has found that London is currently lagging behind the rest of the country in tackling the issue of fuel poverty due to a combination of high fuel prices, high cost of living, and London’s notoriously problematic housing stock. Will you be setting up an energy efficiency programme that is fit for London? Answer from the Mayor: Please see answer 2667/2008.

75 * Highbury & Islington Question No: 2860 / 2008 Jennette Arnold The TfL website says that phase one of the works done at Highbury and Islington will be delivered by 2011 and that phases two, three and four are not funded but that TfL will be working with the London Borough of Islington to identify and secure funding to implement the projects. Has it been identified how much funding is required for each phase? What possible financial sources have been identified so far to fund the projects? Answer from the Mayor: The position on cost for phases 2 to 4 are:

Phase 2 – a feasibility study to assess the scope and cost of potential improvements to the station ticket hall and passenger information systems. Once completed TfL will assess whether the costs of the improvement works can be accommodated within the budgets for the step free access works to the Overground lines.

Phase 3 - the indicative costs for relocating the Post Office and improving the station square and station facade are anticipated to be approximately £4m.

Phase 4 - anticipated that the improvements to Highbury Corner roundabout will cost approximately £6m;

London Borough of Islington (LBI) has offered £5m of funding (conditionally on “Growth Area Funds” funding approval) towards the station facade improvements, post office relocation and gyratory removal projects to proceed. The Mayor agreed to consider this request and has asked TfL and LBI to examine the interchange proposals in more detail. TfLs Business Plan does not have funding for Phases 3 and 4. * Financial support for young athletes Question No: 2861 / 2008 Jennette Arnold On many occasions you have spoken of your pride in British athletes and your understanding of the time, dedication and expense it takes, not just from the athletes themselves but also from their families to achieve an Olympic Standard. Can you let me know what concrete support will be offered to help athletes and their families meet the expenses of their athletic development? This is a particular priority for young athletes who are team members in sports such as basketball, where funding is only available for the team as a whole and not particular individuals within them. Answer from the Mayor: In 2008 I offered direct financial support to thirty young athletes from thirty different London Boroughs through Sportsaid. I am currently looking into how best to take this support forward over the next few years. I addition to this, the forthcoming Legacy Plan for Sport in London will look at how to ensure that there are pathways in place to allow all young athletes to progress in their chosen sports. * Dollis Hill House Question No: 2862 / 2008 Navin Shah Why is the Mayor no longer “determined to secure the future of Dollis Hill House”?

76 Answer from the Mayor: I have carefully considered the case for using taxpayers money towards the restoration of Dollis Hill House. I agree that it is important to protect the capital's heritage and fully support Dollis Hill House Trust and will work with them and other stakeholders in any way I can to assist in achieving their goals. To this end, officers from the London Development Agency are continuing to work with the Trust.

However in these harsh economic times and with so many other priorities chasing limited resources the money would be more effectively spent on initiatives that improve the lives of Londoners such as those that already support jobs, deliver desperately needed affordable housing and help lift some of our poorest citizens out of poverty. Brent council seem to agree with me as they are also not prepared to allocate any funding to this project. * Incorrect Response Question No: 2863 / 2008 Navin Shah In your response to my question 1961/2008 (September) about environmental improvements on the North Circular/A406. You responded with information about improvements in Bounds Green. Please note I am the Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow and that the A406 is an orbital road. Why would the AM for Brent and Harrow be asking about improvements in Haringey? Could you revisit your answer with reference to my constituency, Brent? Answer from the Mayor: I apologise for the confusion in my answer to your previous question.

TfL had discussions with the London Borough of Brent in 2007 following the award of Local Implementation Plan funding to the Borough to review opportunities for reducing noise levels on the section of A406 within the Borough. TfL will discuss with Brent what their current proposals and will update you separately. * Orbital Bus Route Question No: 2864 / 2008 Navin Shah What progress have you made with orbital bus routes? Answer from the Mayor: Please refer to my answer to 2827/2008. * Imperial Drive Junction Question No: 2865 / 2008 Navin Shah I have been contacted by a number of constituents concerned about pedestrian facilities at the junction of Imperial Drive with the Ridgeway in North Harrow. Harrow Council prepared a design and submitted a proposal to TfL for funding under the School Travel Plan programme in 2008/9, but this was rejected. What was the reason for this rejection and will you now instruct TfL to fund extra safety measures for pedestrians at this fast moving junction in 2009/10? Answer from the Mayor: TfL has provided £90,000 to the London Borough of Harrow in 2007/08 to implement traffic management measures surrounding Longfield First and Middle School as a result of their School Travel Plan (STP) submission. The measures included a new zebra crossing on Rayners Lane close to Dukes Avenue, a speed platform outside the school entrance in Farm Avenue, a raised

77 entry treatment at the Dukes Avenue junction and additional signage for children approaching from the west of the school. The works were completed in March 2008.

Harrow did not include a bid in its 2008/09 Local Implementation Plan (LIP) submission for improved pedestrian facilities at the junction of Imperial Drive and Ridgeway under the STP programme and therefore no funding was allocated. The borough did subsequently ask TfL for support for this proposal, but no unallocated resources were available at that time.

Harrow also included the scheme in their LIP submission for 2009/10, but as measures had already been implemented as part of the STP in 2007/08 and due to the high demand for measures at other schools across the Capital, no funding was awarded. However, the borough has been allocated a total of £214k under the STP programme for 2009/10 and if the scheme at Imperial Drive and Ridgeway is a high priority a reallocation of funding can be put forward to TfL’s STP Programme Manager. * London’s Under 14s Basketball Team Question No: 2866 / 2008 Jennette Arnold Is the Mayor aware that the London under-14s basketball team has no regular training facility? As this team is representing the city and in the interest of developing all our young athletes in the run up to 2012, would the Mayor commit himself to helping find a regular place for London’s team to train? Answer from the Mayor: Access to facilities remains a serious challenge for sport and physical activity in London. It is an issue that will be addressed in the forthcoming Legacy Plan for Sport in London, but we must recognise that it can only be completely resolved through action at Local Authority and Government level. With regards to Basketball, the Commissioner for Sport recently chaired a meeting attended by representatives from England Basketball, the NBA and other key stakeholders. This meeting set the basis for a new way forward for basketball in London. Further discussions will be taking place with the goal of developing basketball at every level in London over the years ahead. * Wildlife and Green Space Conservation Question No: 2867 / 2008 Murad Qureshi You have said you want a sustainable London, how do you see the conservation of wildlife and green spaces contributing to this aim? Answer from the Mayor: Green spaces are vital for people’s health and quality of life, and will help London adapt to climate change. I am committed to protecting and improving London’s green spaces and have recently launched my Help a London Park scheme. Officers are currently actively investigating other means we could develop as part of a broader urban greening programme.

Wildlife conservation is also very important. In addition to providing new and improved wildlife habitats through my parks and urban greening programmes, I will ensure that London’s biodiversity is protected through the London Plan and my planning powers. I will also continue to support programmes such as the London Biodiversity Partnership ensuring these deliver effective action to protect and enhance our important habitats and species. Again we will look at this in the context of the work above.

If you have any thoughts please let us know.

78 * RSPB Question No: 2868 / 2008 Murad Qureshi Will you meet the RSPB to talk about delivering environmental objectives? Answer from the Mayor: A meeting between my Director of Environmental Policy, Isabel Dedring, and the RSPB is being scheduled for early in the New Year. * Pipeline Completions Question No: 2869 / 2008 Nicky Gavron What are the Homes and Communities Agency projections for pipeline completions and starts in 2008/9 and 2009/10? Answer from the Mayor: The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) was only established on 1 December 2008 and the information requested is not yet available for the HCA’s overall programme, which combines a number of funding programmes that were previously separately administered.

However, table 3.3c in my draft London Housing Strategy sets out the projected number of completions for the three year period 2008/09 to 2010/11 for the HCA. * Domestic Violence Question No: 2870 / 2008 Nicky Gavron What is the Mayor’s strategy for continuing the work of the previous Mayor, which was successful in tackling domestic violence in a pan-London, strategic way? Answer from the Mayor: The new London strategy to take action to end violence against women will continue the success of the previous London Domestic Violence Strategies by continuing to strategically target domestic violence across London. This new strategy will also address wider forms of violence against women including rape and sexual violence, human trafficking and prostitution. * Domestic Violence II Question No: 2871 / 2008 Nicky Gavron Is the funding continuing at the same level into domestic violence? If not, why, and has the Mayor calculated the potential impacts on women, on families, and on domestic violence related assaults on women and children? Answer from the Mayor: The total amount of resources to be allocated for tackling violence against women (including domestic violence and funding for rape crisis provision) is being significantly increased.

The current budget proposals for 2009/10 include £233k a year for rape crisis provision and £52k a year for additional GLA staff, making a total of £285k a year. This compares with a previous budget of £139k for 2008-09.

79 Sadly women who experience domestic abuse are also often the victims of sexual violence. My new integrated strategy to tackle wider forms of violence against women will ensure that victims of domestic abuse also receive sexual violence support - where appropriate - in a more coordinated way that better meets the needs of the victim, than has been previously advocated. * Domestic Violence III Question No: 2872 / 2008 Nicky Gavron What are the latest figures on domestic violence murders, assaults and violence? And how do these compare to the previous sets of figures? Answer from the Mayor: Please see table below which relates to London.

The table shows a decrease in incidents of domestic violence homicides, domestic violence grievous bodily harm and domestic violence rape between 06-07 and 07-08.

FY 03-04 FY 04-05 FY 05-06 FY 06-07 FY 07-08 DV Homicides 43 33 33 20 19 DV GBH 558 551 607 542 508 DV Rape 445 406 430 537 415

Thames Super Sewer Question No: 2873 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey Do you agree with the Leaders of Hammersmith and Fulham and Hounslow Councils that there should be independent study into the need for the Thames Water ‘super’ sewer, or do you agree with me that further delay risks continued pollution in the river Thames? Answer from the Mayor: There has been 6 years of study into this problem of millions of tonnes of untreated sewage going into the Thames. The proposed solution, which is known as the Thames Tideway Sewer, has come about through examination of a wide range of solutions.

The exact details of how the project should be constructed are still being determined. There will certainly be some important local issues to resolve such as the location of construction sites, the management and mitigation of construction works and the post construction re-instatement. I will be seeking to ensure that the vast majority of construction deliveries and spoil removal takes place by barge.

I do understand that there is some nervousness about these issues and Thames Water are holding programmes of consultation and engagement in order that a future planning application will deal with these appropriately.

I would be happy for Hammersmith and Fulham Council to meet with my officers to ensure that I am kept appraised of the nature of any concerns. * Thames Gateway Question No: 2874 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey Do you consider that the Department for Communities and Local Government’s leadership and management of the Thames Gateway programme has been adequate to deliver the government

80 target of 160,000 homes by 2016? Answer from the Mayor: Last year's National Audit Office report and the subsequent Public Accounts Committee report set out the failures of the Thames Gateway project in great detail. I am not one to look to the past and therefore am looking forward to taking up the Chair of the London HCA Board to work with government and the boroughs to deliver quality new homes across London, including in the Thames Gateway. * Crossrail Question No: 2875 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey How will you ensure that, if the whole or part of the contingency for Crossrail funding is unspent, the benefit is shared proportionately between the DfT, TfL, the supplementary business ratepayers and the other contributors? Answer from the Mayor: DfT and TfL are taking on the risk and are the main funders and sponsors of the project. As such they will manage the funding and contingency. This is outlined in more detail on the Sponsors Agreement available on the DfT website clause 19.24. * Winter Deaths Question No: 2876 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey Last winter there was a 35% increase in London deaths from cold-related causes. New statistics show the number of excess winter deaths surged last winter with London having the largest increase in the country. What can, and will you do as Mayor to help people, particularly the elderly, cope with their fuel bills this year and help prevent these tragic deaths? Answer from the Mayor: Please see my response to question 2842. * Dicken’s Yard Ealing Question No: 2877 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey When you expect to make a decision on the Dicken’s Yard development in Ealing? Answer from the Mayor: Having resolved to grant planning permission, Ealing Council notified me on 17 November in accordance with Article 5 of the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008. The Council subsequently withdrew its referral to allow further discussions to take place on the remaining energy issues. I will make my decision within fourteen days of the application being re-referred to me. I do not know when that will be. * Homes and Community Agency London Question No: 2878 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey Will you publish the draft terms of reference for the Homes and Community Agency London,

81 and will you be consulting on those terms of reference with anyone, or any organisation other than the Board of the HCA? Answer from the Mayor: The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) London Board’s terms of reference are available on the HCA’s website, alongside the terms of reference of the HCA’s Board and its other sub- committees (link below). The members of the HCA London Board were consulted on and agreed the terms of reference, which were then signed off by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/board_committees

Trafalgar Square Question No: 2880 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey Please provide a list of all organisations refused the use of Trafalgar Square for an event since June 2008, and the reason for the refusal? Answer from the Mayor: It is sometimes not possible to accommodate requests for rallies / demonstrations on the square because it has been booked for some other event or because of maintenance works. Occasions since June 2008 where the above applied are: 04/06/2008 - Amnesty UK rally 09/10/2008 - NUS rally 06/12/08 - Amnesty London rally In addition it was necessary to refuse a request by Amnesty UK for a photocall, where the request was to place a military tank on the square (due for 03/06/2008). The reason for refusal was because of the potential damage to the paviers. Westminster City Council refused the group the use of the North Terrace for the same reason. * New Year’s Eve fireworks Question No: 2881 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey Are you committed to ensuring that the New Year’s Eve firework display will remain free of any charge in the next four years, so that any Londoner and the others who travel to the centre of London each year, bringing many millions of pounds revenue to the capital’s businesses each new year, can enjoy the unticketed celebrations? Answer from the Mayor: I acknowledge that the New Year’s Eve event generates a significant amount of tourism revenue for London, both over the New Year weekend and through the worldwide media coverage of the midnight fireworks, which promotes London around the world. A survey conducted last year indicated that 68% of visitors to the fireworks were from outside of Greater London.

The planning, management and financing of the event remains a challenge, due to the large numbers of people wishing to attend the fireworks and the limited capacity of the viewing areas. Only 40% of the event budget is spent on the actual fireworks and lighting displays, the remainder is spent on crowd management and health and safety.

Officers from my Events for London team, the Boroughs of Westminster and Lambeth, the Metropolitan Police, TfL and other agencies are considering a number of options, which may

82 include ticketing, all of which will ensure the sustainability of future New Year’s Eve celebrations in the capital.

LDA Loan Fund Question No: 2882 / 2008 Dee Doocey Will you ask the LDA to look at extending their loan fund to SME businesses based in areas beyond the 13 London Boroughs who currently have objective funding 2 status? Answer from the Mayor: The LDA has announced a planned package of public sector support for small and medium sized businesses. As part of this package the LDA is intending to support the creation of a new fund to provide loans to SMEs across the whole of London. A decision is expected by early 2009. * GLA Functional Bodies capital programme Question No: 2883 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey What plans do you have to ask GLA functional bodies to bring forward their capital programmes and / or to increase their borrowing within prudential borrowing limits at this difficult time? Will you include in your revised budget to the Assembly the revenue consequences of any plans to do so? Answer from the Mayor: The draft capital spending plans for the Functional Bodies have been summarised in the Budget Consultation Document released last week. These reflect planned expenditure totalling £7.3bn over the three-year period from 2009-2012 and include plans for Crossrail, which remain unaltered despite the current economic climate and represent a huge economic benefit for London. These plans will be reviewed between now and January, and the revenue implications of any changes to these plans will be reflected as part of the budget process. * Business link London Question No: 2884 / 2008 Dee Doocey How many businesses has the Business Link London service managed by the LDA helped in the last 12 months? Please break these figures down by the number of businesses helped in each London borough? Answer from the Mayor: Business Link works with both established businesses and individuals looking to start a business. In the 12 months to November 2008, Business Link in London provided support to 151,443 businesses and individuals. The service does not work towards targets for individual boroughs, but rather is demand-led according to need.

The breakdown by London borough of potential or existing entrepreneur/businesses who have contacted Business Link is as below:

Barking and Dagenham 2,047 Hounslow 4,022 Barnet 6,198 Islington 5,709 Bexley 2,785 Kensington and Chelsea 4,065 Brent 5,499 Kingston upon Thames 2,555 83 Bromley 4,585 Lambeth 5,802 Camden 6,613 Lewisham 4,703 City of London 2,659 Merton 3,460 Croydon 5,693 Newham 4,639 Ealing 5,869 Redbridge 3,852 Enfield 4,600 Richmond upon Thames 3,951 Greenwich 3,704 Southwark 6,196 Hackney 5,169 Sutton 2,620 Hammersmith and Fulham 4,564 Tower Hamlets 5,339 Haringey 4,818 Waltham Forest 4,144 Harrow 3,720 Wandsworth 5,859 Havering 2,819 Westminster 9,293 Hillingdon 3,892

Business link London (2) Question No: 2885 / 2008 Dee Doocey What targets have the LDA set for Business Link London in the next 12 months? How many SMEs across London will be helped by the service? Answer from the Mayor: Business Link works with both established businesses and individuals looking to start a business. Business Link in London is required under contractual commitments to support at least 110,000 businesses and individuals in the year 2009/10, and additional targets are currently in the process of being agreed for next year. The support provision for 2008/09 is projected to exceed this year’s target. * Housing targets Question No: 2886 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey During your negotiations with boroughs over revised affordable housing targets, how many have so far asked for a lower figure and how many a higher one? Have any been formally agreed yet? Do you still stand by your overall target of 50,000? Answer from the Mayor: Negotiations with boroughs are ongoing. I have published the methodology and all correspondence from the GLA, but it would be inappropriate to reveal the contents of correspondence from boroughs before the process concludes. No targets have been formally agreed yet, but I have been heartened by the constructive approach being taken by boroughs as a whole and still hope to deliver the 50,000 homes target. * Building homes Question No: 2887 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey Do you agree with me that land is available very cheaply in the current market, and that because of this there could be a programme of large-scale social housing construction, meeting housing need and providing employment in the construction industry, but virtually nothing is currently happening because the Treasury is blocking any fundamental reform in the housing subsidy system. When you next meet senior government ministers will you raise this with and encourage action to get London’s housing market moving again?

84 Answer from the Mayor: Land prices are falling, but this will not translate into more homes coming forward because the economic forces driving these falling prices are also stifling effective demand for new market homes. As chair of the London Board of the Homes and Communities Agency I will make representations to Ministers to enable the HCA to develop the new approaches to public sector investment that are necessary in this difficult housing market. * South London Business Support Question No: 2888 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey Your Deputy Mayor Sir Simon Milton is quoted in the Richmond and Twickenham Times (Dec 5th) that he told business leaders in South London on November that in attempts to help businesses in Bromley, Croydon, Sutton, Merton, Wandsworth, Kingston and Richmond “we may be able to crush together pots of money in the Greater London Authority family which would yield £200m to £300m, and will look at how best it can be used.” Can you tell me which pots of money Sir Simon was referring too, and how much will be allocated from each pot? Answer from the Mayor: One of the principal tasks of the Outer London Commission, which will start work in the New Year, will be to identify four or five growth hubs in outer London for inclusion in the London Plan. Sir Simon’s comments reflect the likelihood that once these hubs have been identified, their growth will be supported by action and investment by the GLA Group, and the sums he mentioned are estimates of the amounts that might be available for this purpose across various London Development Agency and Transport for London initiatives and funding streams, including the transport Local Implementation Plan programme and LDA programmes which support growth and area based regeneration. * Threat to Tube Upgrades Question No: 2889 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon If you are unable to secure from central Government the additional money needed to close the funding gap for the second period of the London Underground PPP, what will be the effects on the planned programme for upgrading the Tube network? Answer from the Mayor: Tube Lines is currently putting together its proposed costs to undertake the works required by LU over the next seven and a half years, and has until June 2009 to submit these costs to LU. At that time, if LU and Tube Lines cannot reach agreement on the price for the works, the PPP Arbiter would be called upon to resolve the issue. Only at that time would the extent of any funding gap be known. However, I have made clear my view, to the Secretary of State on several occasions, which is that the Government must act to address any shortfall that results from the nature of the PPP structure, particularly as neither TfL nor the Government would have been able to take this into account when discussing the earlier funding settlement (hence the reference in the settlement to the possibility of ‘exceptional’ pressures on funding).

Cutting back the core programme of work to upgrade the Tube is not a viable option – without upgrading, in time the Tube simply would not be able to cope with the numbers of passengers now using it. *

85 Effects of economic downturn (1) Question No: 2891 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon How will the economic crisis and job losses (in the City and Canary Wharf particularly) affect the ability of larger firms to pay the Supplementary Business Rate which is to be levied for Crossrail? Answer from the Mayor: As the City of London Corporation said when we announced the agreements underpinning Crossrail delivery on 4 December, Crossrail is critical to the future of London’s economy and it is essential that we continue to make major improvements to our transport infrastructure during these challenging times.

Crossrail will help London to continue to grow and prosper, and remain globally competitive. The funding package that businesses will contribute to has been long established. The supplementary business rate is relatively small incremental charge payable on business properties with a rateable value over £50,000, which is around 15 per cent of properties in London – the largest. The current business rate is 46.2p and the supplement would be an extra 2p. This would be capped. The supplement is paid over a long period of time and is due to begin in April 2010.

Business will benefit hugely from Crossrail and it is not surprising therefore that there is continued support from the business community for the scheme. Business confidence is also boosted with the knowledge that we will continue to invest in London and the UK’s future. * Effects of economic downturn (2) Question No: 2892 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon How will the economic crisis and job losses affect revenue for London Transport over the coming year, and what percentage decrease in passenger numbers are anticipated in a recession? Answer from the Mayor: At present, passenger numbers on both buses and the Tube are continuing to increase despite the economic slowdown.

In the light of this, Transport for London considers that passenger numbers over the coming year may not fall sharply.

TfL’s current central assumption is for some continuing increase in bus traffic in 2009 but a slowing down or a modest reversal in the growth of Tube use.

Developing trends will be monitored closely in order to detect any signs that demand is starting to decrease significantly. * Camden Road rail upgrade & East London Line Question No: 2893 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon Can you shed any light on why the Department for Transport has chosen to spend £54 million on taking forward the upgrade of rail infrastructure at Camden Road on the Northern Line, rather than the much less expensive funding of the vital Phase 2 of the East London Line extension?

86 Answer from the Mayor: The DfT believes that the project provides benefits in terms of an enhanced freight route through London which will ease pressure on Britain's roads. I support this initiative but would also want to see the necessary funding from the Government to deliver the East London Line Phase 2 as well. * Redevelopment of Oxford Street Question No: 2894 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon What is your vision for Oxford Street and what plans do you have to deliver that vision? Answer from the Mayor: TfL, Westminster Council and the New West End Company are working closely together to deliver significant pedestrian and streetscape improvements to Oxford Street and Oxford Circus as part of the Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street Action Plan, otherwise known as ORB. This project will enhance the existing public realm by creating an attractive, inviting and safe environment for pedestrians whilst maintaining and enhancing general vehicle traffic conditions. The planned works, which are currently underway, will include footway widening, removal of barriers and street clutter and a new pedestrian diagonal crossing to ease pedestrian overcrowding Oxford Circus. TfL will also be reducing bus service levels along Oxford Street starting with a 10% reduction in 2009, subject to the outcome of the usual consultation processes. * Thames Estuary airport Question No: 2895 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon Having cancelled several significant transport schemes that have major regeneration benefits for the less advantaged areas of London, you seem prepared to spent time and taxpayers’ money exploring a project for a Thames Estuary airport for which there is and will be absolutely no Government funding. How can you justify such expenditure? Answer from the Mayor: We are exploring the options available, and it is disingenuous to compare the cost of doing that with a fully funded investment programme that is worth billions and will deliver substantial growth in public transport capacity. * Cost of reconfiguring the Oyster contract Question No: 2896 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon What will be the cost of reconfiguring a new contract for the future management and development of the Oyster card system and other ticketing services? Answer from the Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is party to a Ticketing Services Contract with Transaction Systems Limited for the supply of ticketing services – including Oyster – up to August 2010, and to a Future Ticketing Agreement with Cubic Transportation Systems Limited for the supply of an equivalent set of services between August 2010 and August 2013.

There is no suggestion that either contract needs to be replaced in the immediate future, so no analysis of the likely costs of a reconfiguration exercise has been carried out.

87 TfL expects to start a full re-tendering exercise for the supply of ticketing services in early 2011, which will result in the award of one or more contracts for such services to be provided from August 2013 onwards. This re-tender exercise will consider questions of contract scope, duration, structure and the like. * Cost of buying the Oyster brand Question No: 2897 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon What has been the cost to the taxpayer of TfL buying ownership of the Oyster brand? Answer from the Mayor: Under the terms of the recent agreement between TfL, Electronic Data Systems and Cubic Transportation Systems TfL agreed to treat this information as being commercially confidential. * Oyster: contactless payment facilities Question No: 2898 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon Is there really no possibility of a “shift towards simpler, contactless payment technologies” to enhance the Oyster system in time for the 2012 Olympics, and if so, why did TfL not issue appropriate instructions to contractors much earlier, given that the technology is already available? Answer from the Mayor: TfL’s contractor is currently in the middle of a major upgrade to the Oyster system’s functionality to cater for the planned expansion of PAYG to National Rail.

TfL is looking at allowing customers to use contactless credit and debit cards for travel. However, implementation of these systems is some years away.

It is true that contactless payment technologies are already in use elsewhere. However, adding such functionality to London’s Oyster system would be a major undertaking.

TfL is firmly of the view that any contactless solution for the Olympics will need to be Oyster based. The 2012 Olympics will require the production of several million tickets, and their distribution world-wide, probably from 2010 onwards. TfL is currently discussing options with LOCOG. * King’s Cross NE pedestrian facilities Question No: 2899 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon Will you seek talks with either the Department for Transport and/or Network Rail and/or Argent St George to press them to investigate a pedestrian/cycle bridge at King’s Cross Station, over the rail tracks rather than within the station, to enable access to continue from the east, preserve community links and promote regeneration? Answer from the Mayor: I have and will continue to lobby Network Rail over this matter. I am also aware that Camden Council are also examining this. *

88 Streatham trains to north of the river Question No: 2900 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon Has your Transport Adviser been in talks with Network Rail about their plans to cut through rail services from the Wimbledon loop via Streatham to stations north of the river, and have you any reassurance to offer to rail commuters in Streatham and Tulse Hill? Answer from the Mayor: My transport advisor has not discussed this matter with Network Rail.

Due to the revised layout of Blackfriars station under the Thameslink Programme, it is not possible for Wimbledon Loop services to continue beyond Blackfriars without reducing the overall capacity through the station.

This is mitigated by an increased frequency on Wimbledon Loop services, with 4 trains per hour (tph) in each direction instead of the current 2 or 3. Passengers wishing to continue northbound will be able to interchange with a more frequent Thameslink service of up to 24 tph. * 24-hour Freedom Pass: rail services Question No: 2902 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon Will your 24-hour Freedom Pass be extended to rail services within Greater London, and what will be the cost of making the necessary financial arrangements with train operating companies? Answer from the Mayor: The 24-hour extension will apply on buses, Trams, the Tube, the DLR, the London Overground and certain National Rail services such as Upminster to Fenchurch Street where ticketing is interavailable with the Underground.

The Train Companies have also been invited to participate, but it has not been possible to reach an agreement with the Companies to date. Transport for London will be taking this up again in 2009 once the initial scheme is in place. * Funding cuts to cycle schemes in London Question No: 2903 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon You claim to be very keen to get more people cycling in London, but have cut funding for cycle schemes by half. Given that the Chief Executive of the London Cycling Campaign has strongly condemned this funding cut, why have you disregarded the views of cycling organisations in London? Answer from the Mayor: It is not true that funding for cycling schemes has been cut in half. TfL spending on cycling in London is increasing. For example, in 2005/06, TfL spent £21.7M on cycling. This rose to £28.9M in 2006/07 and £35.1M in 2007/08. TfL expects to spend £44.8M in 2008/09 and £111.3M in 2009/10.

I have also not disregarded the views of cycling organisations in London. I have actively sought these through inviting comments and feedback on “Way to Go!” Now that this document and TfL’s Business Plan are in the public domain I am keen that we begin to more fully engage with the cycle lobby, the Boroughs and other stakeholders on how to develop and deliver the new direction for cycling.

89 * Park and Ride: GLA boundary Question No: 2904 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon In your review of the Transport Strategy, will you re-visit Proposal 4H.2 and consider creating “Park and Ride” car-parks accessible from the M25 close to rail intersections with the motorway to reduce commuter traffic entering Greater London outside the capital? Answer from the Mayor: I would like to consider this, and other initiatives to reduce the level of commuter traffic entering London, as part of the revision of my Transport Strategy.

I would note that many of the potential sites near to the junctions of the M25 and adjacent to rail stations are not within the Greater London area. Their development would require the approval of the local district planning authority, and require liaison with the Highways Agency and Network Rail.

Parking at Stanmore Tube Station Question No: 2905 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon In the interests of managing cars arriving from beyond the northern GLA boundary, will you ask TfL to investigate a solution to increasing levels of car parking at residential streets around Stanmore Underground station on days when major events take place at Wembley Stadium? Answer from the Mayor: London Underground is aware that Stanmore station car park experiences a high level of demand on Wembley Stadium event days.

In an effort to prevent customers from parking in residential streets around Stanmore, LU works with NCP and Wembley Stadium to provide secure parking spaces for events at a number of Metropolitan line car parks including Watford, Croxley, Chorleywood, Ickenham, Hillingdon and Ruislip stations.

This information is advertised as part of Wembley Stadium’s travel advice and customers are advised to book in advance via the NCP website at http://www.ncpwembleyparking.co.uk/.

The local authority (The London Borough of Harrow) is responsible for parking enforcement on the streets surrounding Stanmore station and they have recently implemented controlled parking in the area. * North London Route Improvement Plan Question No: 2906 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon In view of the Department for Transport’s announcement on 25 November of the £54 million North London Route Improvement Plan, and the doubling of tracks at Camden Road, will you now be able to implement the original plan for 8 trains per hour through this section on London Overground? Answer from the Mayor: TfL has now planned for 8 peak trains per hour and 6 off peak trains per hour. The £54m gives the opportunity to run 8 trains per hour of passenger services and 4 trains per hour of freight all day. TfL now plan to increase frequency from 6 trains per hour to 8 trains per hour in the peak

90 as well as moving from 3 to 4 cars per train in order to meet forecast demand on this line. This is a substantial upgrade.

In the off-peak there will be an increase from 4 trains per hour to 6 trains per hour with longer trains, which at current passenger levels is more than enough to meet demand. TfL will continue to review this requirement and could increase off-peak demand further to 8 trains per hour should this be necessary. * Transport Capacity: Barking and Dagenham Question No: 2907 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon On what evidence do you base your recent claim that even if an additional 100,000 homes were built in Barking and Dagenham, TfL has sufficient capacity to provide public transport there within its existing arrangements? Answer from the Mayor: There is scope for another 100,000 homes in the East London area without expanding the DLR to Dagenham Dock.

Analysis by TfL using strategic transport planning models showed that at least an additional 100,000 homes across the London Thames Gateway could be supported by the funded strategic public transport network, if development were located to maximise transport capacity.

Crossrail,the Tube upgrades and capacity improvements on National Rail ( as in the DfT High Level Output Statement (HLOS)) are key elements of the funded investment. The TfL analysis was based on the funded public transport network – and did not assume the extension of DLR to Dagenham Dock. * Anti-Semitic Attacks on Jewish School Pupils Question No: 2908 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon Although TfL state that teams regularly carry out patrols of the 183 bus between Pinner and Golders Green “to deter anti-social behaviour and reassure the public” this appears to have been unsuccessful in preventing attacks on pupils from the Jewish Free School who are reported to have been threatened with stabbing and kicking. How do TfL propose to guarantee the safety of these pupils on their buses? Answer from the Mayor: TfL has invested significantly in policing the bus network. TfL fund the MPS Transport Operational Command Unit (TOCU) and safer transport teams, to target bus corridors and hotspot areas across London including those routes serving JFS.

More recently, TfL and the MPS have coordinated a joint response between Harrow, Barnet and Brent safer transport teams, with coordinated high visibility patrols to provide a deterrent on the 183 route and deal with this specific issue. Both organisations treat such incidents seriously and are committed to preventing such behaviour. TfL will be monitoring the effectiveness of the patrols and other police activity.

91 Streatham High Road improvements Question No: 2909 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon When will TfL finally deliver on their promise concerning the improvements of Streatham High Road that have been in the planning stage since 2003/4? Answer from the Mayor: Over the past five years a substantial amount of work has been undertaken in Streatham and have included several completed improvement schemes on Streatham High Road, Streatham Hill, Streatham Green, Streatham Station Bridge and Streatham Station Approach. These have been part of a continuous, ongoing improvement programme delivered in partnership and with full support of Lambeth Council. The latest phase of the improvements has been delayed due to design issues taking longer to resolve than anticipated. However, the next phase, Streatham ‘3a’ between Becmead Avenue and Woodbourne Avenue, is in the final planning stages and is expected to commence on site in early 2009. * Olympic apprenticeships Question No: 2910 / 2008 Dee Doocey How many apprenticeships have been created by each of the ODA, CLM, LOCOG, and any Olympic contractor or sub-contractor? Please provide a breakdown of the type of apprenticeships. Answer from the Mayor: There are a total of 254 trainees working on the Olympic Park, including apprentices - a breakdown is provided below.

Two construction focussed pilot Apprenticeship and Work Placement schemes have been running from 1st November 08 and will finish in January next year.

A further 10 school-leavers from the Host Boroughs were recruited as apprentices by LOCOG as part of their ‘Starting Blocks’ scheme. These apprentices have since gone on to full-time employment with different departments across the company. LOCOG plan to repeat the Starting Blocks scheme in 2009.

All contractors Training No of % of trainees workforce Apprenticeship 23 0.8% Graduate trainee 21 0.7% Professional qualification 38 1.2% Technical certificate 19 0.6% Trainee work placement 34 1.1% Other 95 3.1% Prefer not to say 24 0.8% Sub-total: trainees 254 8%

Tourism Question No: 2911 / 2008 Dee Doocey According to your answer to my question 2439/2008, between 2005 and 2007 visitor numbers to outer London attractions fell by 3.5%, whilst over the same period visitor numbers to inner London attractions rose by 3.5%. How much of the £750,000 funding for Visit London that you

92 recently announced is being targeted towards outer London? Answer from the Mayor: The financial support which was recently earmarked to stimulate visits to London over the Christmas and winter period comprised £600,000 in LDA funding and £150,000 in match funding from private sector partners. The objective is to support London’s theatres, restaurants, hotels, retail and cultural sectors in the current downturn by co-ordinating a tactical campaign designed to stimulate short-break visits from the UK and Western Europe. This campaign is pan- London and is based around promoting special offers which commercial partners put forward, using the campaign slogan “2008 reasons to visit London now.” All partners throughout London were invited to contribute special offers; there was no geographic segmentation. The current campaign does include approximately 75 special offers relating to outer London, for example special weekend breaks at Heathrow and Richmond hotels, tours of Hampton Court, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and rock concerts at Wembley.

2012 Tickets Question No: 2912 / 2008 Dee Doocey Ken Livingstone pledged that those who were injured in the bombings of 7th July 2005, and the families of those who were killed, will have front-row seats at the 2012 Games. Are you planning to honour this commitment? Answer from the Mayor: Yes. * Firearms officers Question No: 2913 / 2008 Dee Doocey How many trained firearms officers are there currently? Please also provide figures for the last five years from 2003/4 onwards. Answer from the Mayor: On the 1st October 2008 there were 2603 Authorised Firearms Officers within the MPS.

The yearly Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO) figures for the MPS for the last five years are as follows:

2007/8 – 2592 AFOs 2006/7 – 2584 AFOs 2005/6 – 2331 AFOs 2004/5 – 2134 AFOs 2003/4 – 2060 AFOs * Tasers – firearms officers Question No: 2914 / 2008 Dee Doocey How many how many individual CO19 officers have deployed tasers in the year to 12th November 2008? Answer from the Mayor: In the year 13/11/2007 to 12/11/2008 there were 103 deployments of Taser by CO19 Officers. During these incidents Taser was deployed by 78 individual CO19 officers.

93 * Tasers – TSG officers Question No: 2915 / 2008 Dee Doocey How many TSG officers are trained to use tasers, and how many individual officers have deployed tasers in the year 12th November 2008? Answer from the Mayor: 400 MPS TSG officers are trained to use Tasers.

In the period from 1 January 2008 to 12 November 2008, 232 officers deployed tasers in 413 incidents. * Athletics Question No: 2916 / 2008 Dee Doocey In 2012 the Olympic stadium will be the showcase for athletics around the world, yet UK Sport have just cut the funding for our athletes who will compete in that stadium. Do you agree that a special case should be made to increase their funding, despite the poor medal showing in Beijing, as a way to secure an athletics legacy for this stadium and the Games as a whole? Answer from the Mayor: I cannot support a funding settlement under which some sports receive less investment for the 2012 Games, on home soil, than they did for the 2008 Games. These cuts have been forced on UK Sport because of the Government's failure to reach its target of £100 million private sector support for elite sport, to supplement the commitments of £200 million from the Treasury and £300 million from the National Lottery. Under those circumstances, and given the historic opportunity presented by London 2012, I would expect the Government to underwrite the commitment it made and make up the shortfall to guarantee the full funding package of £600 million which it announced in March 2006. * Meeting 2nd December Question No: 2917 / 2008 Dee Doocey Was your meeting on 2 December 2008 with Assistant Commissioner Quick to discuss the Damian Green case? Answer from the Mayor: We discussed a number of issues related to policing in London. * Help a London Park Question No: 2918 / 2008 Dee Doocey How will you be determining which park will receive the £2 million single grant? Answer from the Mayor: Boroughs were invited to nominate one park for this award. The 21 nominations were reduced to a shortlist of six parks that would most benefit by a panel of experts drawn from stakeholder organisations. The boroughs responsible for these six were asked for more detailed information, and the panel will examine this in January, before making its recommendation to me. I will decide based on the information provided by the panel. Criteria are based around the problems 94 currently experienced in the park; how the proposal will make it safer, cleaner and more beautiful; social deprivation in the area; and the ability of the borough to secure match funding and deliver the project on time.

Non-emergency contact number Question No: 2919 / 2008 Dee Doocey For the time since the non-emergency contact number was launched can you please provide the following: 1. The number of calls made to the 0300 123 1212 number in October, November, and December, broken down by month 2. The number of calls that had to be referred as a 999 call 3. The number of callers who had to be told to call their council instead ? Answer from the Mayor: 1. The number of calls made to the 0300 123 1212 are as follows : • 14 - 31 October : 41,775 • November : 84,315 • 1-7 December : 19,925

2. The MPS does not record information on the number of calls that had to be referred as a 999 call.

3. The MPS records the number of calls it refers to all external agencies as a generic grouping. The MPS does not specifically record the number of calls it refers to councils. The number of calls referred to other agencies since August 2008 are as follows : • August 2008 : 142,151 • September 2008 : 129,344 • October 2008 : 138,866 • November 2008: 128,685

Police officers on restricted and recuperative duties - overtime Question No: 2920 / 2008 Dee Doocey 1948 (6%) of officers are currently on restricted and recuperative duties. What percentage of the overtime budget is currently being spent to cover the duties of officers who are on restricted and recuperative duties? Answer from the Mayor: The MPS Human Resources Directorate does not record this information. It would take a significant amount of extra resource to respond to this question as each relevant unit would have to prepare their own retrospective calculations. It is therefore not possible to give a reliable percentage figure to answer this question.

Police overtime Question No: 2921 / 2008 Dee Doocey How much of the overtime budget is currently being spent to cover the duties of posts which are vacant?

95 Answer from the Mayor: The MPS Human Resources Directorate does not record this information. It would take a significant amount of extra resource to produce an answer to this question, as each unit would have to prepare their own retrospective calculations manually. It is therefore not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the amount of overtime spent to cover the duties of vacant posts. * Police officer numbers Question No: 2922 / 2008 Dee Doocey The draft Policing London Business Plan 2009-12 allows for the following changes in police officer numbers between 2008/9 and 2011/12. Can you explain what operational changes are planned which result in these increases/decreases, for each Business Directorates:

Budget Budget Variance + or 2008/9 2011/12 - 2009-2012 Territorial policing 21,903 21,020 -883 Specialist crime 3,076 3,192 116 Specialist operations 2,148 2,344 196 Central operations 4,620 4,886 266 Olympic security directorate 155 451 296 Resources directorate 10 11 1 Directorate of information 81 79 -2 Human resources 601 623 22 Public affairs 1 0 -1 Deputy Commissioners portfolio 335 349 14

Answer from the Mayor: The 2009-12 budget submission considered by the MPA provided details, at business group level, of officer growth and reduction proposals. This information can be accessed on the MPA website. The most significant service changes are:

• The roll-out of Project Herald which focuses on the introduction of a new custody staffing model to deliver a more efficient and safer custody environment and will, over three years, reduce officer numbers by 550. These officers will be redeployed to other parts of the Service • The expansion of the Borough Partnership Scheme by 200 officers • A net increase in Specialist Crime Directorate capacity of some 40 posts to provide operational support across the service

The figures are also affected by proposals with no budgetary impact, (which primarily affect Specialist Operations, Central Operations and the Olympic Security Directorate).

The main changes at business group level reflect:

• Growth and reduction proposals

96 • The move to a three year deployment plan and the reducing number of recruits moving through Territorial Policing (TP) and the redeployment of some posts to non-TP commands on completion of training.

Project Herald Question No: 2923 / 2008 Dee Doocey The paper on Project Herald which went to the MPA’s Co-ordination and Policing Committee in June 2008 states “that parts of our existing custody suites may be unsuitable for the full implementation of the Herald model before delivery of Borough Based Custody Centres”. Since the estates strategy is currently being reviewed, and only two Borough Custody Centres are actually progressing, can you explain how Project Herald can be rolled out as planned with the reduction of 550 officers by 2012? Answer from the Mayor: The MPA paper on Project Herald identified a potential difficulty that, at the time, had not been fully evaluated. Since then, all MPS custody suites have been visited and a joint review by the Herald project team and Property Services completed. The review reports that minor building works will be required in 25 out of 54 of the 24/7 custody suites. None of the required work renders them unsuitable for the roll-out of the Herald model.

The proposed officer reductions were based on the implementation of the Herald model across the existing estate. Whilst the Borough Based Custody Centre programme would clearly provide even greater opportunities to benefit from economies of scale, the Herald project can still be implemented regardless of the review to the estates strategy. * Jean Charles De Menezes inquest Question No: 2926 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon Four London Boroughs, Southwark, Lambeth, Greenwich and Lewisham are currently expecting to pay in excess of £4m between them to cover the costs of the inquest into the death of Jean Charles De Menezes? Do you agree with me that this case and its costs are exceptional and that it is unreasonable to expect the boroughs to support this inquest? Will you please write to the Ministry of Justice asking that they review this situation and compensate the boroughs involved for the costs? Answer from the Mayor: Yes and I will write to the Ministry of Justice asking that they review this costing of conducting this inquest. * Help a London Park Question No: 2927 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon When you come to make a final decision on the award of the £2m major parks funding you have announced as part of the ‘Help a London Park’’ scheme, will you give special regard to the wider benefits, in terms of social and economic regeneration, that investment in a park such as Burgess Park, in the London Borough of Southwark, could bring? Answer from the Mayor: Yes, this is one of the criteria we are considering. I will choose the successful park taking account of the recommendation of a panel drawn from a wide range of stakeholder organisations including the London Development Agency. The panel’s recommendation will be

97 based on criteria looking at the problems currently experienced in the park; how the proposal will make it safer, cleaner and more beautiful; and the ability of the borough to secure match funding and deliver the project on time. Whether the park is within or near an Area for Regeneration as defined in the London Plan will be one of many factors taken into account. * Elephant and Castle Southern Roundabout Question No: 2928 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon Please can you provide me with an update on the progress of negotiations between TfL and the London Borough of Southwark over the Elephant and Castle Southern Roundabout? Answer from the Mayor: Design and modelling work is still taking place. TfL is working with Southwark to achieve the optimum design for Elephant & Castle, to maximise the achievement of the desired objectives whilst not unduly impacting upon traffic conditions on this important part of London’s strategic road network.

The proposal for the southern roundabout is now being reviewed to take account of the options produced for the wider development of Elephant & Castle to ensure all improvements in the area are integrated. I anticipate that agreement over design of the southern roundabout scheme will be achieved in Spring 09. * Southwark Park Athletics Track Question No: 2929 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon Will you support the funding bids which the London Borough of Southwark has made to Football Foundation and Sport England for the refurbishment of the Southwark Park Athletics Track? Answer from the Mayor: The Commissioner for Sport has met with the Chief Leisure Officer of Southwark Council to discuss the refurbishment of Southwark Park Athletics Track and to consider possible ways in which to plug the funding gap that currently exists in the Council’s plans. The track sits in a borough that at present has no other running track and it has the potential to be a fantastic facility for the community and elite athletes, both able-bodied and disabled. I do of course support the funding applications made to the Football Foundation, Sport England and the LDA. However, I recognise that resources are scare and I encourage Southwark Council to pursue as many potential funding options as possible. * Provision for cyclists Question No: 2930 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon In providing for cyclists on TFL roads should routes be planned in a coherent or a piecemeal basis? Answer from the Mayor: Cycle routes and cycling provision on the Transport for London Road Network are normally planned as part of the overall cycling network. This includes the London Cycling Network Plus (LCN+), other signed cycle routes, advisory cycle routes as shown on the TfL Cycle Guides, and planned routes following Cycle Route Implementation Stakeholder Plan (CRISP) studies. Every opportunity is taken to develop and implement schemes in conjunction with other planned

98 works in the same area or on the same corridor. * Upper Street Islington Question No: 2931 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon There was recently a fatal accident on the Upper Street crossing (junction with Camden Passage/Charlton Place). What action will TfL be taking as a result of this tragedy? Answer from the Mayor: Following any fatal collision on the network, TfL’s London Road Safety Unit (LRSU) meet the relevant Police Authority on site to discuss the circumstances of the collision. This collision is currently being investigated by the Metropolitan Police, so TfL cannot specifically comment on the details at this time.

Each year, the LRSU produces a list of priority sites in London in terms of the number of collisions. TfL has to direct its limited funding to those sites with the highest number of collisions and investigations are therefore carried out into the highest priority sites. When appropriate, remedial measures are recommended. This whole link - Upper Street from Essex Road to Liverpool Road - is a high risk priority site and TfL will be carrying out a Road Safety Study at this location as a priority in the 2009/10 programme. * Community Toilets scheme Question No: 2932 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey How many London boroughs have signed up to the Community Toilets Scheme you launched in August? Please list those boroughs that have done so. Answer from the Mayor: I did not launch a Community Toilets Scheme in August.

The London borough of Richmond launched the scheme in 2005 and I expressed support for it, along with Councillor Merrick Cockell as Chairman of London Councils in a joint letter to all London borough Leaders. I specifically called on businesses to support this scheme.

I understand that Camden, Croydon, Lambeth, Richmond, Waltham Forest and Wandsworth already have a Community Toilet Scheme in place and a number of other boroughs have expressed support for this scheme. * Community Toilets scheme (2) Question No: 2933 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey What is expected of boroughs that have signed up to your Community Toilets Scheme? Answer from the Mayor: I did not launch a Community Toilets Scheme in August.

The London borough of Richmond launched the scheme in 2005 and I expressed support for it, along with Councillor Merrick Cockell as Chairman of London Councils in a joint letter to all London borough Leaders. I specifically called on businesses to support this scheme.

I continue to support the Community Toilet Scheme for but it is at the discretion of individual boroughs as to how the scheme is delivered.

99 * Sergeants in Safer Neighbourhood Teams Question No: 2934 / 2008 Dee Doocey Can you please tell me how many Safer Neighbourhood Teams have had the same Sergeant in place for: · Less than 3 months · Between 3 and 6 months · Between 6 months and a year · Between a year and 18 months · Between 18 months and 2 years · Over 2 years? Answer from the Mayor: The table below shows the number of Police Sergeants in Safer Neighbourhood teams and the length of time they have been in place in the team:

Length of Service on current Ward Number 0-3 months 71 3-6 months 74 6 months –1 year 125 1 year – 18 months 94 18 months – 2 years 51 Over 2 years 205

College Park: bus provision Question No: 2935 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon There is an evident need for improved bus service provision in the area of College Park, Brent, in view of a number of new developments along Harrow Road, and the All Souls estate. Can TfL investigate an effective solution, possibly involving diverting the existing 452 route (Kensal Rise-Wandsworth Road Station)? Answer from the Mayor: TfL is aware of growing demand on the Harrow Road and will be introducing some extra peak capacity on route 18 in January 2009. A review of route 18 will be undertaken in Summer 2009 and this will take account of current demand and potential growth due to known developments. This review will also consider other routes in the area. * 245 bus: overcrowding at peak hours Question No: 2936 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon There is significant overcrowding reported on the 245 bus between Sudbury Town Station and Brent Town Hall, partly due to large numbers of school pupils, in morning peak hours, leaving waiting passengers unable to board at stops leading up to Wembley High Technical College. Could TfL talk to First Group about operating a double decker bus on this route at these times?

100 Answer from the Mayor: TfL will investigate this issue and let you know the outcome in the New Year. * First class rail travel: suburban services Question No: 2938 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon You have expressed a view that rail services and stations should have the same level of practicality as the Tube network, including use of the Oystercard. Have discussions taken place with train operating companies about trains used for suburban commuter work having a first class travel section taking up valuable space in peak hours which cannot be accessed by Oystercard? Answer from the Mayor: First class travel facilities are only provided by the Train Operators on longer distance trains which make limited stops within Greater London. These facilities are provided primarily for the benefit of longer distance passengers who are not in scope for Oyster.

I can confirm that the issue of first class travel and the Oyster card has been discussed by TfL with the Train Companies and a number of options have been discussed for including first class travel facilities within Oyster.

These will be discussed further with the Operators once they have entered into the PAYG agreement. * TfL failure to respond to constituents Question No: 2939 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon My constituent has taken a great deal of trouble to report graffiti on bus shelters to TfL, making his first report on 28 December 2007, and contacting them a further 15 times between then and the end of May 2008. Unhappy with the way TfL had handled his issues, he lodged a complaint with London TravelWatch on 21 July 2008. London TravelWatch were then unable to maintain their own deadlines because TfL had not responded in timely fashion. There were further exchanges at senior level between London TravelWatch and TfL. How can we have confidence that TfL has learned lessons and takes responding to customers seriously when even though their tardiness was the subject of a complaint to TravelWatch, they were still tardy in responding to TravelWatch? Answer from the Mayor: TfL recognises that its response time to this particular complaint was not acceptable. TfL’s response times have since improved and TfL has also put in place procedures to further reduce these. TfL has agreed with London TravelWatch a new process that will enable them to better respond to correspondence from London TravelWatch. * Congestion charging western extension: withdrawal of bus services Question No: 2940 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon If TfL go ahead with a revision to the Congestion Charging Scheme Order abolishing the western extension, is it envisaged withdrawing or reducing any bus services in the area, in particular route 31 to Shepherds Bush Green or 452 to Wandsworth Road Station via Kensington?

101 Answer from the Mayor: There are no specific plans to withdraw or reduce services in the routes you mention. The bus network is reviewed on a continuous basis in any event and changes in any of the factors influencing bus demand could lead to changes in frequency and/or structure. * Piccadilly Line service: Turnham Green Question No: 2941 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon Now that you have agreed that Piccadilly Line trains should stop at Turnham Green earlier in the evening, could you please indicate precisely the time when trains will now make stops there and by what date these changes will be made? Answer from the Mayor: London Underground has not agreed to stop Piccadilly line trains at Turnham Green earlier in the evening.

Modelling was recently undertaken to determine the impact on customers of slightly extending the time Piccadilly line trains stop at the station. However, results showed an overall negative impact on customers, with the disbenefits of extended journey time for through-passengers outweighing the benefits to customers using Turnham Green station.

The District line provides a frequent service at this station, which is sufficient to meet current passenger demand. * Express orbital bus routes Question No: 2942 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon What plans do you have for express orbital bus routes other than the X26 route? Answer from the Mayor: Please refer to my answer to 2827/2008.

Silvertown crossing Question No: 2943 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon What are your plans for promoting a river crossing from Silvertown to North Greenwich? Answer from the Mayor: I have asked TfL to look at options for a new river crossing east of Tower Bridge including at Silvertown as part of a wider study of the London Thames Gateway which will include the LDA, local boroughs, HCA, relevant Government partners and the business community.

Safeguarding is already in place for a crossing at Silvertown which could either be a tunnel or a high bridge and TfL will look at these proposals as well as other options for a crossing in this location.

The first phase of this work is to establish the future need and role of a crossing and how this would address some of the existing problems in the area as well as supporting plans for future growth.

102 * Step free access at Vauxhall Station Question No: 2945 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon Given that Lambeth Borough Council recently gave planning permission for the installation of lifts at Vauxhall rail station, will you follow suit by funding step-free access at Vauxhall Underground station, creating coherent step-free access at this important interchange? Answer from the Mayor: Yes, but funding to start this work is not available until the later years of the TfL Business plan. Work will be completed by 2021. * Willesden Safer Neighbourhood Team Question No: 2946 / 2008 Caroline Pidgeon Why has the Safer Neighbourhood Teams been moved out of Willesden Green police station without any consultation with the communities they are supposed to serve? Answer from the Mayor: The Willesden Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) is currently based at Willesden Green police station but a move is proposed in the new year to a new, purpose built office further along the same stretch of road. This is in line with the continued roll out of Safer Neighbourhood bases across the MPS that place teams at the heart of the communities they serve. The new location is approximately half a mile from the current location within the ward and will have a front counter facility. In addition it will have modern, up to date facilities that are accessible.

This is also in accordance with the continuation of the safer neighbourhood team location programme (under the Estate Strategy) as agreed by the MPA’s Finance and Resources Committee on 23rd October 2008.

Earlier this year the Borough Commander held a public consultation, at Willesden Library. At this meeting the future of Willesden’s police station and its was reviewed and discussed. * Dollis Hill House Question No: 2947 / 2008 Mike Tuffrey Are you aware that whilst the rest of the country will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of William Gladstone MP, your unfortunate decision regarding Dollis Hill House will force Brent Council to celebrate this important anniversary by demolishing Gladstone’s favourite residence? Will you please r-think your decision to withdraw any funding support? Answer from the Mayor: The London Borough of Brent has responsibility for this decision and their decision making process which has dragged on over a number of years has never been solely dependent on funding from the LDA.

Funding has not been withdrawn. The promises made by the previous Mayor were empty as the proposals for the development of Dollis Hill House were constantly in question in terms of viability and funding had never been formally identified within the LDA’s budget.

I carefully considered the case for using taxpayers money towards the restoration of Dollis Hill House. I agree that it is important to protect the capital's heritage and fully support Dollis Hill

103 House Trust and will work with them and other stakeholders in any way I can to assist in achieving their goals. To this end, officers from the London Development Agency are continuing to work with the Trust.

However in these harsh economic times and with many so many other priorities chasing limited resources the money would be more effectively spent on initiatives that improve the lives of Londoners such as those that already support jobs, deliver desperately needed affordable housing and help lift some of our poorest citizens out of poverty. Brent council seem to agree with me as they are also not prepared to allocate any funding to this project * London Housing Strategy Question No: 2948 / 2008 Steve O’Connell How will the measures proposed in the new Housing Strategy help to stimulate London’s housing market? Answer from the Mayor: My draft London Housing Strategy sets out how I intend to use my powers and London’s share of public sector investment to continue to build affordable homes and to fund improvement programmes for existing homes and estates. These are intended to ensure that we maintain capacity within the housing industry and ensure that London is well placed to resume higher construction rates as the housing market improves. * London Housing Strategy Question No: 2949 / 2008 Steve O’Connell How will the Mayor’s new partnership approach with the boroughs help to maximise the delivery of all types of housing, including social rented? Answer from the Mayor: The one-size-fits-all approach taken by the previous Mayor stifled housing development, which is why I pledged to scrap the 50% London Plan target and work with boroughs to agree individual affordable housing delivery targets. By agreeing targets that take into account the opportunities as well as the constraints in every borough I believe we will be able to maximise the potential for affordable housing delivery in London. * Empty Homes Question No: 2951 / 2008 Steve O’Connell How does the Mayor plan to support boroughs to help achieve his empty homes reduction target? Answer from the Mayor: Boroughs were invited to bid for resources from the Targeted Funding Stream, which will make £60 million available for bringing empty homes back into use. I have made recommendations on these bids to the Secretary of State and hope to be able to announce the funding allocations shortly. The GLA is also working with boroughs to undertake an audit of empty properties so that resources can be more effectively targeted. *

104 Park improvements Question No: 2952 / 2008 Steve O’Connell Will there be further programmes in future years to provide funding for London’s parks, such as the current programme that includes Wandle Park, Norbury Park and Wandle Valley in my constituency? Answer from the Mayor: My Help a London Park scheme will invest £6 million over four years up until the end of the 2011-12 financial year.

I want to extend the East London Green Grid concept across the whole of London, as part of a wider review of urban greening we are currently undertaking. I will explore a range of options on how I can further improve London’s green spaces in the light of this review. * Croydon regeneration Question No: 2953 / 2008 Steve O’Connell Croydon has recently developed an Urban Regeneration Vehicle for the borough that will see the Council and its development partner take a 50:50 share in renewing the town centre. The Government is very much in favour of this innovation and is keen to see how successful it is. Has the Outer London Commission, in terms of creating urban renewal, considered schemes such as this and, if not, will you be looking into this option when working with boroughs for future regeneration projects? Answer from the Mayor: The Outer London Commission will start its work in the New Year. The Croydon Urban Regeneration Vehicle is just the sort of imaginative initiative the Commission will be looking at. * Croydon Tramlink (1) Question No: 2954 / 2008 Steve O’Connell What representations have been made to Government for the necessary £170m funding that the previous administration failed to take account of? When is it envisaged that a bid will be made for funding? Answer from the Mayor: I am committed to working with Croydon and the relevant Boroughs to begin work on new proposals to improve and extend the Tramlink.

In parallel with revisions over the next two years to the London Plan and the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, and as part of an assessment of the transport needs and future options for South London, TfL will work with the relevant Boroughs on an assessment of the longer-term role of Tramlink and potential enhancements to the network.

A recommendation from this work could form part of a future funding bid to Government. * * Croydon Tramlink (2) Question No: 2955 / 2008 Steve O’Connell Have you had an explanation from TfL as to why the previous administration felt it acceptable

105 to spend several million pounds on consultation work for the Croydon Tramlink extension, which only served to encourage residents that the extension itself was imminent, when the reality was that there was no money in the budget for the actual building work and no promise of funding from central Government to cover the cheque that TfL couldn’t write? Answer from the Mayor: The Tramlink extension, like many other projects, was developed at the direction of the former Mayor and as such TfL set aside design and development budgets in its previous Business Plans even though funds for implementation had not been confirmed.

The sad reality was, the previous administration was perfectly happy to spend millions on projects that they knew did not have the necessary funding.

However, a new realistic and transparent approach was required to focus on delivering projects and not to proceed on spending money on those that are yet to receive the necessary funding from the Government. * Cycle hire scheme Question No: 2956 / 2008 Steve O’Connell Are there any plans or considerations yet to extend this scheme, which will begin in May 2010 in the 9 central London boroughs and royal parks, out to other local areas in the outer boroughs where such a hire scheme would be greatly appreciated? Answer from the Mayor: The Cycle Hire Scheme area launching in May 2010 will broadly cover fare zone 1, around 44km2. TfL is currently working on an expansion strategy for the scheme. It is anticipated that the expansion strategy will include both a geographical extension of the scheme boundary and an increase in the density of cycle hire stations within the original scheme area. * Traffic Lights Question No: 2957 / 2008 Steve O’Connell It was fantastic to hear you say in November’s Mayor’s Question Time that TfL were investigating using a traffic light countdown trial. Further to your answer to question 1854/2008, would you strongly consider introducing such a system at the traffic lights at the junction of South Norwood Hill and High Street in South Norwood in Croydon? Answer from the Mayor: Pedestrian countdown is used elsewhere in the world, but is not currently permitted in the UK. TfL is in discussion with the DfT about the possibilities of introducing this technology into the UK in future, since Government approval is needed. If the technology is approved for use in the UK, deployment would initially be prioritised to junctions with an all-red to traffic stage in the signalling method of control, which enables pedestrians to cross all arms of the junction at the same time. The South Norwood junction is one such example and would be suitable. * LEZ Review Question No: 2958 / 2008 Steve O’Connell Further to your answer to question 1855/2008, what progress is being made on TfL’s LEZ

106 review? Answer from the Mayor: TfL is currently reviewing the options available for taking the LEZ forward to ensure the impact the scheme has on organisations and individuals is managed and understood, whilst ensuring that it still meets the objectives of improving air quality and the associated health benefits. TfL will be reporting their findings back to me shortly.

I now therefore expect to make an assessment of the changes and propose a way forward early in the new year. Any changes to the scheme will be subject to consultation and will be communicated to stakeholders well in advance of any change being made. * 130 Bus Route Question No: 2959 / 2008 Steve O’Connell When will the promised 130 bus route be extended from South Norwood to Thornton Heath thereby enabling the residents of South Norwood access to Mayday Hospital? Answer from the Mayor: TfL is working to extend this route at the earliest possible date. However changes are required to the road layout at the junction of Park Road and Whitehorse Lane. Delivering these changes is proving more complex than originally envisaged and although progress is being made it is not yet possible to give a definite introduction date. TfL would be happy to brief you on this. * Community Cohesion Question No: 2960 / 2008 Steve O’Connell Has your focus on youth crime helped to forge better community relations between traditionally excluded communities and the authorities, including the police? Answer from the Mayor: Yes. This is a key theme that is in Time for Action’s delivery strands.

Over the next few months GLA officers will continue to develop good working relationships - through the Time for Action delivery groups - between London’s strategic authorities including the police, local authorities, London Criminal Justice Board, the Prison Service, London Probation and community organisations and representatives. The focus will be joint initiatives to provide opportunity and to prevent youth violence, particularly in the communities that experience the most harm.

A key example is Project Titan – a programme that encourages young Londoners, particularly those vulnerable to crime, to participate in positive disciplined activities that help build character and responsibility and mutual respect. This Project is being delivered in partnership with the police, other statutory authorities and community organisations and representatives. * Safety during the festive season Question No: 2961 / 2008 Andrew Boff What action have you taken to promote sensible drinking and safer transport over the Christmas period?

107 Answer from the Mayor: Over the Christmas period, a number of initiatives are under way by policing agencies and TfL to promote sensible drinking and safer transport.

British Transport Police (BTP) has launched operation ‘Holly’ to help passengers keep safe on the tube during the festive period. Operation ‘Holly’s’ high visibility patrols across the Tube network will make journeys safer, as well as targeting anti social behaviour and assaults on staff. As part of the Operation, police will be handing out cards to passengers at Tube stations reminding them to look after themselves, plan journeys, know their drinking limits, to keep their belongings safe and to be respectful to other passengers and London Underground (LU) staff.

The Metropolitan police Service (MPS) Transport Operational Command Unit (TOCU) is currently running Operation ‘Ridgeway 2’ which will run over the Christmas period until New Year’s Eve. This will involve teams comprising of Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) pro-actively policing the bus infrastructure. Their objectives include dealing with anti-social behaviour, alcohol related incidents and other safer transport issues.

In addition, other teams will be deployed to deal with criminality that may occur on the bus network. This will include revised night duty deployments to assist with the additional passengers using the network as they travel home after parties and other Christmas celebrations.

On the roads, drivers are being warned of the dangers of drink and drug driving as the MPS launch the annual Christmas anti drink and drug driving campaign. This started on 1 December and will be running until the New Year. Officers from the MPS Traffic Unit will carry out dedicated patrols supported by officers across the boroughs and will step up roadside breath tests to deter and raise awareness of the risk of drink and drug driving.

TfL has also issued a Christmas and New Year Travel Guide. In addition to providing travel information, the guide contains clear safety advice messages including the importance of responsible drinking and reminder to those using taxis to only use those that are properly licensed.

An integrated programme of activity has been planned by TfL and its police partners in the run up to the busy Christmas period when more people are out and about and the demand for late night travel increases. This includes:

- A comprehensive multi-media communications campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of using illegal cabs and the laws relating to taxis and private hire vehicles - A heavy schedule of anti-touting enforcement activity undertaken by the Metropolitan police Transport Operational Command Unit and City of London Police, - Provision of late night marshalled taxi ranks * Students’ performance in schools Question No: 2962 / 2008 James Cleverly Does the Mayor consider that poor educational outcomes in London contribute to health inequalities and crime? Answer from the Mayor: Poor educational outcomes certainly play their part. Conversely, there is strong evidence from many UK cohort studies that some of the most protective factors for children in the long term are to do with education1. And there is evidence that people with higher levels of educational attainment have longer life expectancy.

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Education has a bearing on health-related behaviour such as smoking, drinking, drug-taking, exercise and diet, all of which significantly influence health outcomes2. For example, the children of mothers with the equivalent of at least five GCSE grades A-C are less likely to be overweight or obese than those whose mother had lower qualifications or none3. And the Social Exclusion Unit report on teenage pregnancy included educational problems and non- participation in post-16 education among the risk factors. Teenage parents have poorer ante- natal health, lower birth-weight babies and higher mortality rates among their infants4.

With regard to crime, the Youth at Risk survey identified low achievement, beginning at primary school, lack of commitment to schooling, including truancy, and school disorganisation as risk significant factors associated with young people’s involvement in anti-social behaviour5. Time for Action – my proposals for equipping young people for the future and preventing violence – recognises the important role education plays in transforming the life chances of young people. It includes proposals to keep young people in education through targeted action to address truancy and exclusion and raising the educational attainment for those who are most disadvantaged.

This is why the rapid improvement in educational attainment in recent years, particularly in Inner London, is so encouraging. For example, between 2004/05 and 2006/075, Tower Hamlets had the second highest increase in the number of children achieving five or more good GCSEs and performance is now very close to the England average. ______1 London Health Commission (2005) Review of London health Strategy high level indicators. Focus on the health of children and young people. 2 JRF, Tackling low educational achievement, 2007 3 Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Millennium Cohort Study: Childhood Obesity, Briefing 12 June 2007 4 NICE Teenage pregnancy and parenthood: A review of reviews (evidence briefing) 5 Youth at risk? A national survey of risk factors, protective factors and problem behaviour among young people in England, Scotland and Wales by Sarah Beinart, Barry Anderson, Stephanie Lee and David Utting, published by Communities that Care, April 2002 * Roehampton bus services Question No: 2965 / 2008 Richard Tracey Bus services in Roehampton are often very overcrowded. With new flats being built on Roehampton Lane, the problem will only get worse. What are TfL doing to improve bus provision in Roehampton? Answer from the Mayor: Bus services in Roehampton have been considerably enhanced in recent years. TfL keeps the services under review and have not identified any significant problems with crowding. TfL are contacting your office to discuss the matter. * Putney Cross Question No: 2966 / 2008 Richard Tracey ’Putney Cross’, which is the junction of Upper Richmond Road and Putney High Street, is extremely busy. TfL are currently developing plans for this area, but what is the timetable for the announcement of the plans, consultation with stakeholders and implementation? Answer from the Mayor: TfL is currently working with Wandsworth Council and other stakeholders to finalise the preferred design option to be taken forward, with a view to conducting a public consultation

109 exercise. This is expected to commence in February 2009 and would last for 4 weeks. Subject to the outcome of consultation, the scheme is planned to be implemented in the Summer of 2009. * Garden Grabbing Question No: 2967 / 2008 Richard Tracey Does the Mayor welcome the recent amendment passed by the House of Lords to strengthen the powers local councils like Merton and Wandsworth have to protect their urban green space and gardens against ‘garden grabbing’? Does the Mayor agree that it is extremely regrettable that the Government has rejected this amendment? Answer from the Mayor: I do regret that the Government has not taken this opportunity to address the issue in primary legislation. I do intend to take action; at present the London Plan does not contain an explicit presumption against development of domestic gardens. As set out in Planning for a Better London I intend to introduce support for the protection of gardens.

I expect that this action will provide a firm basis for working with boroughs to protect gardens, not least as they will be able to take planning decisions knowing they have London-wide policy backing on this issue. * Delegating to the Boroughs Question No: 2968 / 2008 Richard Tracey Given the Mayor’s desire to delegate more decision making to the boroughs, how does he intend to speed up the decision making process regarding local applications such as removal of red routes and changes in traffic light phasing, with particular reference to the London Borough of Merton and Wimbledon Town Centre? Answer from the Mayor: TfL is not aware that there is a problem with the speed of decision making in relation to changes in traffic light phasing. TfL meets with the London boroughs regularly to discuss traffic signal issues. TfL last met with officers at the London Borough of Merton was on 8 October 2008, at which no concerns were raised about the delays in decision making about traffic signal issues.

Although TfL is not aware of any specific request to remove red route controls or amend traffic light phasing in Wimbledon Town Centre or in the London Borough of Merton, they are (with London Councils) considering the transfer of some highways related functions to Boroughs. These include transferring responsibility for highway enforcement on sections of red routes and reviewing GLA side road returns where there is interest from the borough, e.g. current work in collaboration with LB Barnet. You will know also that TfL has already transferred responsibility for enforcing pavement obstructions along part of the A24 to Wandsworth Council as a six month pilot. * Western Extension Question No: 2969 / 2008 Richard Tracey Will the Mayor include in his instruction to TfL to remove the Western Extension a request to boost bus use in the area?

110 Answer from the Mayor: TfL will continue to keep all the services in the area under regular review, ensuring that the quality and frequency of the services remains attractive.

Oxford Street Question No: 2970 / 2008 Richard Tracey Could the Mayor confirm how levels of harmful emissions such as particulates and NOx on Oxford Street compare to the pan-London average? Answer from the Mayor:

We are able to provide Oxford Street emissions against the total PM10 and Nox emissions for London, rather than a pan-London average, which gives a more meaningful comparison.

Emissions from road transport on Oxford Street accounted for an estimated 33 tonnes of PM10 in 2004 (equivalent to 1.2% of the total PM10 emissions in London), and 789 tonnes of NOx in 2004 (equivalent to 1.2% of the total NOx emissions in London).

In 2010, these emissions are predicted to have reduced to 20 tonnes of PM10 (0.9% of the total) and 550 tonnes of NOx (1.1% of the total). This reduction is partially due to the measures taken to reduce emissions from London buses and taxis.

Further information can be found in the London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory. * Congestion Question No: 2971 / 2008 Richard Tracey I understand that you met leading figures from the utility companies on the 1st December to discuss lessening the impact of their mains replacement programme on traffic flow. Could you explain what firm agreements were reached and when these will lead to visible improvements on London’s roads? Answer from the Mayor: The public are fed up with the proliferation of roadworks in London, and in particular, the vast number of sites that appear to be in a cryogenic state of inactivity. The effect on people’s daily journeys is immense, causing misery to not only car drivers, but bus passengers, cyclists and pedestrians as well. Furthermore, at a time when businesses are experiencing severe financial pressures, the delays caused by these roadworks are having a real impact on efficient operation of many of these firms.

At the meeting we discussed a range of measures I would like to see in place in the next few months. This included better planning and co-ordination of works as well as improving the way they undertake the works on site. I hope that the utility companies will be demonstrate real progress in delivering these actions as it is their duty to respond promptly to the considerable public anger and frustration on this matter. * Crossrail Road Works Question No: 2972 / 2008 Richard Tracey As the majority of the significant number of road works caused by Crossrail and Thames Tideway will not be on TfL’s own roads, will the Mayor confirm that the duty to actively co-ordinate this essential work best resides with the Crossrail Programme Partner?

111 Answer from the Mayor: Crossrail works that affect the road network are being managed through a number of levels.

There is a regular Crossrail Planning Forum and a Highways and Traffic Forum to consult with highway authorities on roads and traffic matters during the construction and operation of Crossrail. Traffic Forums will also be set up for individual authorities or specific locations which will be the primary mechanism for consultation on detailed plans at these locations. Some of the forums are already in place.

Crossrail is also working closely with other major projects, such as the 2012 Games and in turn the work is part of overall TfL strategic co-ordination, with the recognition that Crossrail construction takes place alongside other programmes and projects - as you have said the Thames Tideway. In central London, a location where there are multiple projects taking place, TfL leads a body called CELLO, with boroughs to assess, co-ordinate and reduce as much as possible the impacts of these schemes.

Congestion Question No: 2973 / 2008 Richard Tracey Further to your answer to question 2539/2008, I welcome your recognition of the role boroughs have to play in reducing congestion. Through TfL’s duty as Strategic Transport Authority, could you confirm the annual variation of congestion levels in each of the central London boroughs over the last 8 years? Answer from the Mayor: The congestion levels for each borough are shown in the table and map attached at Appendix 1.

The table shows the average delay measurement (in mins/km) weighted by vehicle flow by borough and time period. The thematic map shows the total annual vehicle delay per km by borough. * TfL Business Plan Question No: 2974 / 2008 Richard Tracey Could you explain how your drive to smooth traffic and improve the bus service reconciles with the increasing surface transport journey time targets set in Appendix B of the recent TfL Business Plan? Answer from the Mayor: TfL’s Business Plan predicts a very small change in surface transport journey times over its course. This will be caused by a number of factors, including efforts to encourage more journeys to be made by walking or cycling, which will take longer. However the Business Plan does not include the effects of my intentions to smooth traffic flow, which TfL and I expect will assist. This Key Performance Indicator in the Business Plan is journey time per person, which includes the slower modes and any transfer to them. * LIPs Funding Question No: 2975 / 2008 Richard Tracey Why did Merton get less LIPs funding this year compared to last year despite TfL increasing overall funding for boroughs?

112 Answer from the Mayor: Merton is allocated £2.7m for 2009/10, compared to £3.5m in 2008/09.

Note that the process of funding LIP allocations is based on TfL assessing applications from the boroughs for schemes in a number of transport programmes. Boroughs do not always apply for funding from all the programmes and in the case of Merton they did not apply for any schemes in the Area Based Scheme programmes.

Inevitably, there will be variations on the funding allocated each year, not least because the schemes will be different from one year to the next. The criteria used to assess and prioritise schemes is described in the guidance that is provided to boroughs. Principal road renewal funding, for example, is allocated on the basis of the boroughs’ road condition surveys. * Private Hire Vehicles Question No: 2976 / 2008 Richard Tracey What plans does TfL or the Public Carriage Office have to deal with illegal ranking by private hire vehicles outside London venues? Answer from the Mayor: TfL has been working closely with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Transport Operational Command Unit (TOCU) and the City of London Police (CoLP) to tackle taxi touting and minimise the risks to the travelling public. Touting and associated problems are being addressed through a problem-solving approach which involves a programme of integrated activities including industry regulation and licensing, enforcement and education.

The number of dedicated cab enforcement officers will double - an additional 34 officers in the MPS and CoLP to provide greater coverage for anti-touting activities across London.

TfL has also introduced tougher penalties for any licensed driver convicted of touting to send out a clear message that this will not be tolerated. Since 1 August 2008, some 30 licensed private hire drivers have had their licences revoked following a touting conviction.

The PCO has recently reissued guidance to licensed operators on the acceptance of bookings and distributed best practice guidelines to late night venues, advising them on how to ensure that Private Hire Operators within their venues are complying with the law. * Private Hire Vehicles Question No: 2977 / 2008 Richard Tracey What plans does TfL or the Public Carriage Office have to deal with the increase in the numbers of clipboard operators who work from pavements outside clubs and from within clubs to drum up business for private hire vehicles? Answer from the Mayor: TfL works very closely with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and City of London Police to tackle taxi touting around late night venues within London.

The Metropolitan Police Transport Operational Command Unit, funded by TfL, has a dedicated pan-London Cab Enforcement Unit responsible for enforcing the law relating to taxis and private hire vehicles in London. This team is working closely with the PCO to clamp down on clipboard operators who are operating illegally. If licensed operators are caught contravening

113 their licensing regulations the PCO will review their fitness to hold a licence and the licence may be revoked.

The PCO has recently reissued guidance to licensed operators on the acceptance of bookings and distributed best practice guidelines to late night venues, advising them on how to ensure that Private Hire Operators within their venues are complying with the law. * Eurostar Platforms at Waterloo Question No: 2978 / 2008 Richard Tracey What is the current timetable for the re-opening of the longer platforms at Eurostar Terminal at Waterloo for mainline trains coming into the station? Answer from the Mayor: Network Rail is undertaking works to make Platform 20 at Waterloo International accessible from Platform 19 through new accesses in the wall between them. This platform should become operational in 2009. Network Rail have also identified that the use of the remaining platforms at Waterloo International is likely to be required to accommodate increases in demand specified in the Government’s High Level Output Specification (HLOS) by 2014. Network Rail have therefore appointed consultants to assess the infrastructure works necessary to bring the station back into full use within this timescale. * Tooting Bec Bus Route Question No: 2979 / 2008 Richard Tracey With regard to your answer to question 2537/2008, how soon can I expect to receive TfL’s findings on the introduction of a direct bus route from Tooting Bec to Fulham? Answer from the Mayor: TfL has completed a preliminary investigation which shows that the cost of providing a completely new route (approximately £900,000 per year) would be difficult to justify.

TfL is now looking at other options for providing the links you have requested. Significant new housing development is planned in the Tooting area, on the Springfield Hospital site. Consideration of the new travel demands arising from this may make it possible to restructure the local network. This work will involve stakeholders in the usual way. It is expected that this review will be completed in April 2009.

TfL has contacted you directly to discuss both the preliminary findings and the forthcoming work in more detail. * New Years Eve Question No: 2981 / 2008 Steve O’Connell What preparations have been made to ensure events taking place on New Years Eve are suitably policed? Answer from the Mayor: There has been a great deal of inter-agency planning for this GLA-owned Central London event and Jack Morton Associates have been appointed to run the event. They are responsible for safety and 3,341 Met Police Officers will be supporting the event, but not performing the role of stewards. These Officers will be drawn from Boroughs across London, including the City of

114 Westminster. Recognising the current threat from terrorism to London, Officers on duty within the footprint of the event will be performing their core roles of taking all reasonable steps to prevent crime and, where offences are committed, taking all reasonable steps to intervene, preserving public order and providing a co-ordinated response to incidents. * 73 Bus Route Question No: 2982 / 2008 Andrew Boff The absence of a peak service on the 73 bus route is causing considerable problems for residents of Hackney. What are the impediments to this service being restored to a full service? Answer from the Mayor: A full service operates between Stoke Newington and Victoria. Although the service north of Stoke Newington which is provided by buses running to or from the garage. Other high frequency bus routes also operate over this section throughout the day. There are no plans to change this pattern of service as extra peak time buses would be requested, which cannot be justified.

TfL is also aware that the scheduled service can be delayed due to traffic congestion, and that the operator may on occasion stop buses short of their usual destination so that they may be directed to other parts of the route where passengers have been waiting longest. As a result, TfL intends to introduce a new schedule to operate the service from 3 January 2009. Passengers should find the route runs more reliably. TfL will continue to monitor the 73 to ensure this action is effective. * 73 Bus Route Question No: 2984 / 2008 Andrew Boff What percentage of services on the 73 bus route have been curtailed in the past year? Answer from the Mayor: Please also refer to my answer to your question 2982/2008.

TfL’s monitoring of the 73 shows that for the year to date, 93.9% of the scheduled bus- kilometres on route 73 was operated. This performance was largely due to the impacts of a number of significant disruptions to the road network, for example water-main replacement and construction works at Tottenham Court Road. In order to give more resilience, a new schedule will operate on route 73 from 3 January 2009. * 210 Bus Route Extension Question No: 2985 / 2008 Andrew Boff Residents of Hackney are calling for the 210 bus service to be extended from Finsbury Park to Stamford Hill. What is standing in the way of that aspiration? Answer from the Mayor: TfL has examined this suggestion in the past. However, the changes cannot be justified in terms of additional journey made given the significant cost involved and the fact that there are already high frequency services between Finsbury Park and Stamford Hill.

For these reasons TfL will not be pursuing this suggestion. *

115 Hackney Narroway Question No: 2986 / 2008 Andrew Boff In any typical weekday, what is the total number of buses which are routed down the Narroway in Hackney? Answer from the Mayor: There are approximately 1,810 buses on a typical weekday day along Narroway in Hackney, with around 110 an hour in the busiest hour. * Buses Question No: 2987 / 2008 Andrew Boff Residents of Tower Hamlets and Newham have welcomed the Mayor’s proposal to phase out the disliked bendy buses. The 25 which crosses both Borough’s has an unfortunate reputation of being one of the least safe routes in London and many say this (and the well recorded fare dodging) is down to the bendy buses. Will the Mayor indicate when the popular and safer double deckers will return to the streets of this part of east London? Answer from the Mayor: Route 25 will be reviewed when its current contract expires in June 2011. This is the approach we are taking with all the bendy bus routes, as this provides for maximum value for money. * * 372 Bus Route Question No: 2989 / 2008 Roger Evans When will TfL reach a final decision on the new route for bus route 372 in Havering? Given the opposition of a large majority of residents and Havering Council, a swift rejection of the proposals would be greatly welcomed. Answer from the Mayor: This proposal was developed in response to Havering Council’s longstanding support for investigation of ways to serve areas of the Borough which are relatively remote from the network.

TfL has continued to discuss the proposal with the Council as it developed. In this instance TfL has decided not to proceed, a decision which is supported by the Council. TfL will write to stakeholders shortly to confirm this decision. * District Line Disruption Question No: 2990 / 2008 Roger Evans Engineering works have caused considerable weekend disruption to District Line services running to Elm Park, Hornchurch and Upminster. Can the mayor provide an update, including a date for the work to finish and an undertaking that service disruption will be kept to a minimum? Answer from the Mayor: The District line is currently closing most weekends between Barking at Upminster for track maintenance and renewal work, which is necessary to ensure that train services can continue to operate safely and reliably.

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The work is on schedule and the current series of closures is expected to finish as planned in early June 2009. Further closures may be necessary in the future in order to maintain the track and signalling and improve reliability.

In order to minimise inconvenience to customers during this period London Underground has put in place a replacement bus service, including the provision of express services. Additionally, a comprehensive information package has been implemented to make customers aware of the closures and help them to plan alternative routes. * * PQT Havering Question No: 2993 / 2008 Roger Evans When do you plan to hold Peoples’ Question Time in Havering? Answer from the Mayor: We visited the Redbridge & Havering Constituency in October 2007 for a statutory PQT. In this administration's term in office there will be the opportunity for a further 7 statutory PQT meetings and we will be re-visiting constituencies that have not held the meeting recently. As a result, the next time we will re-visit the Redbridge & Havering constituency for a statutory PQT will be after the next Mayoral election.

However, you will be aware of my commitment to hold more non-statutory PQTs. This list is being finalized, but I will consider very strongly holding an event in your constituency over this term.

PQT Redbridge Question No: 2994 / 2008 Roger Evans When do you plan to hold Peoples’ Question Time in Redbridge? Answer from the Mayor: We visited the Redbridge & Havering Constituency in October 2007 for a statutory PQT. In this administration's term in office there will be the opportunity for a further 7 statutory PQT meetings and we will be re-visiting constituencies that have not held the meeting recently. As a result, the next time we will re-visit the Redbridge & Havering constituency for a statutory PQT will be after the next Mayoral election.

However, you will be aware of my commitment to hold more non-statutory PQTs. This list is being finalized, but I will consider very strongly holding an event in your constituency over this term. * Oystercard Readers at Romford Station Question No: 2995 / 2008 Roger Evans Ticket gates at Romford continue to be unable to read Oyster cards of any type, including pre- paid tickets. Can you update me on the progress being made with the operator - National Express - to bring the benefits of Oyster ticketing to Romford? Answer from the Mayor: Transport for London is helping to fund new gates for Romford which will read Oyster Cards. It is anticipated that these new gates will be installed by National Express in the first half of 2009.

117 Oyster pre-paid tickets are likely to become available at Romford and other rail stations in London by the end of 2009. * Western Extension Question No: 2996 / 2008 Roger Evans Now that 86% of businesses and 67% of individuals have voted against the continuation of the Western Extension to the Congestion Charge, what was the cost of developing the WEZ, including all the original consultation, implementation (despite public opinion), advertising and contract extensions? Answer from the Mayor: The setup costs for the Western Extension amounted to £96m. * Budget Guidance targets Question No: 2997 / 2008 Roger Evans Are the functional bodies on target to meet Budget Guidance targets for the coming financial year? Answer from the Mayor: Yes, all the Functional Bodies are expecting to meet the Budget Guidance targets and LFEPA’s budget reflects an over-achievement of £0.9m against the original guidance. * LLR Question No: 2998 / 2008 Roger Evans At the last Budget meeting it was announced that the hiring of room at City Hall was to be given at a 50% discount to charities. When will this start, if it already has it started, have any taken advantage of this yet, and how much income is this measure expected to raise for the GLA when compared to the previous administrations policy of giving the rooms for free to a select band of certain organisations? Answer from the Mayor: The 50% discount rate for charity hire of City Hall has already begun. It was felt that previously only a small number of charities were able to benefit from using London’s Living Room for fundraising purposes. By changing this offer to a 50% discount rate a much larger number of charities will now be able to take advantage of the space.

Since the policy has been put in place four charities have benefited from using the LLR at a reduced cost. Also, we have another four charities with confirmed reduced rate bookings at the beginning of 2009 as well as some interest and provisional bookings from several other charities.

This policy has not been put in place to raise income and at a 50% discount will be cost neutral to the GLA.

TfL spending plans Question No: 2999 / 2008 Roger Evans How much was spent by the previous administration on consultation and planning work for schemes that had no funding in order to be built? How much has been saved in 2008-09 by not 118 continuing with consultation and planning work for schemes that have no funding? Answer from the Mayor: Total TfL spend to date on the development of major projects is:

Projects Expenditure to date Cross River Tram £19m Croydon Tramlink Extension £4m Thames Gateway Bridge £32m East London Transit ( Future Phases) £0.5m Greenwich Waterfront Transit £0.5m

In December 2008 Major Projects forecast spend for the year is circa £5m below the 2008/09 annual budget. The programme until the end of the year is focussed on completing work streams that enable the projects to close down by the end of March 2009 following the decision to cease scheme development. * Royal Parks & Private Ambulances Question No: 3000 / 2008 Brian Coleman Is the Mayor aware that, under the Royal Parks and Open Spaces Regulations 1997 and 2004, private ambulances are prohibited from the Royal Parks as they are classified as commercial vehicles? Does the Mayor agree that this prohibition is unjustified, potentially dangerous and against the spirit of the Regulations, and will he lobby for an exemption for private ambulances to be included in the upcoming review of the Regulations? Answer from the Mayor: The Royal Parks have confirmed that, although commercial vehicles are prohibited from the Royal Parks, an exception is made for designated emergency vehicles (including private ambulances) on emergency journeys who need the fastest route from A to B.

We will follow the forthcoming review of the Regulations closely to ensure that this exception for designated emergency vehicles on emergency journeys is maintained. * Pedicabs Question No: 3001 / 2008 Brian Coleman What work is TfL undertaking with Westminster to crack down on illegal pedicabs, especially in light of recent reports that up to 80% of pedicabs could actually be running on batteries? Answer from the Mayor: TfL has no specific powers to deal with pedicabs, including power-assisted pedicabs. TfL is working closely with Westminster City Council (WCC), the MPS Transport Operational Command Unit (TOCU) and VOSA, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency to address the safety issues presented by some of the pedicabs currently in operation.

Larger electrical assisted pedicabs can be dealt with under existing regulations. TfL and WCC have written to the DfT and VOSA to alert them to a significant number of pedicabs which appear to be flouting these regulations. WCC and TOCU recently arrested several drivers of larger electrical assisted pedicabs for driving without insurance. TfL and WCC are also considering options with regard to the current voluntary code of practice, street licensing or vehicle licensing regimes for those pedicabs falling outside these regulations. *

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Northern Line Question No: 3002 / 2008 Brian Coleman Does the Mayor of London believe that the plan for splitting of the Northern Line could never come to fruition before the Northern Line signals were improved and Camden Station is totally rebuilt? Answer from the Mayor: I have no plans to split the Northern Line north of Camden Town.

However, London Underground (LU) is looking at an alternative proposal to provide what would effectively be a second upgrade post-2015. This would provide more trains per hour and could potentially increase capacity by up to a third on parts of the line – over and above the increase delivered by the signalling upgrade. The proposal would mean that Charing Cross trains would start from Kennington, and Bank trains from Morden, enabling LU to run up to 28 to 32 trains per hour on each branch compared with 20 today. Service patterns north of Camden Town would be largely unchanged, although service frequencies would increase much to the benefit of your constituents. * Recycling Question No: 3003 / 2008 Gareth Bacon Does the Mayor plan to investigate the impact of the economic downturn on efforts to recycle by the boroughs? Answer from the Mayor: The London Waste and Recycling Board, of which I am the Chair, has been tasked with promoting waste reduction, recycling and the beneficial use of non recyclable waste. I consider that an integral part of this process is ensuring that London has sufficient reprocessing capacity to improve London’s resilience to future market shocks by controlling the quality and quantity of recyclable material.

We are fully aware of the situation with regards to the demand for recycled material and we will be monitoring the situation closely. Our expectation is that markets will recover and the LWaRB intends to get London ready for that time. * Environment & Credit Crunch Question No: 3004 / 2008 Gareth Bacon How will the Mayor’s environmental measures help Londoners cope with the recession and aid London’s economic recovery? Answer from the Mayor: My environmental measures will both help Londoners cope with the recession and aid London’s economic recovery. As my recently issued Economic Recovery Action Plan sets out, the following actions are being put in place on energy – an area in which bills have been going up:

• The LDA will be reviewing its energy programmes and will announce its forward programmes by January 2009 (Action 35). • The GLA group will progress a wide programme to deliver decentralised energy capacity in London, including taking heat from Barking Power Station, which could supply heat to 120,000 homes and save 90,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum (Action 36). 120 • I will be working with the London Boroughs to help vulnerable householders improve the energy efficiency of their homes, and reduce their energy bills, through the £130 million Targeting Funding Stream (Action 37). • I will also be campaigning for London to get its fair share of the £2.8 billion energy supplier Carbon Emission Reduction Target (CERT) funding which can fund energy efficiency measures in Londoner’s homes (Action 38).

I have also expressed my commitment to invigorating “Green Collar” jobs in London. In my speech to the Environment Agency, I outlined how London’s economy could benefit through thousands of new green collar jobs, by leading in the adoption of new energy technologies and by energy savings from energy efficiency measures in homes and businesses. * Energy from Waste Question No: 3005 / 2008 Gareth Bacon What plans does the Mayor have to promote energy from waste in London? Answer from the Mayor: Waste is a resource that should be used if at all possible and, as I’ve said before, the very concept of waste is flawed. We must first consider whether waste material can be reused and where this is not possible we must try and recycle, compost or anaerobically digest it.

I want to see much wider rollout of new waste processing approaches that can produce energy that can be used in London’s vehicles, homes and offices. I believe there is much more we can do to realise the benefit from this resource before we consider disposal options such as incineration and landfill. In fact we estimate that £550 million is spent on sending waste to landfill. If this waste were used to generate energy it could power up to 1.2 million homes and heat up to 375,000 homes.

For example, London currently sends around 1 million tonnes of organic waste to landfill. This not only contributes to climate change through the release of methane due to decomposition but also a missed opportunity with regards to energy generation.

This is just one of the missed opportunities with regards to London’s waste that I hope the London Waste and Recycling Board will help to address with the £84m fund it administers.

Electric Vehicles Question No: 3006 / 2008 Gareth Bacon How will the Mayor’s plans for 10,000 electric vehicles be put into effect? Answer from the Mayor: I am very keen to see more electric vehicles on London's streets because of the air quality, noise and climate change emission benefits that they bring. I will be drawing up an Electric Vehicle Action Plan with the assistance of the London Electric Vehicle Partnership. There is potential to generate power for electric cars via renewable sources including waste. The Action Plan will outline how we propose to tackle and overcome the barriers to the greater use of electric vehicles, including a framework of incentives to encourage greater take-up. *

121 Recycle Bank Pilots Question No: 3007 / 2008 Gareth Bacon The Mayor recently announced plans to pilot a “Recycle Bank” scheme, where householders would be paid to recycle with vouchers for supermarkets, DIY stores and newsagents. What are the timescales for these schemes, and have any suitable locations been identified? Answer from the Mayor: GLA officers are in active discussion with the US company RecycleBank to investigate the opportunity of paying Londoners to recycle. In the US they have doubled recycling even in areas that had relatively high recycling rates. I have written to the Leaders and Chief Executives of all 32 London Boroughs and the City of London to determine the level of interest in piloting the programme and we have already had interest in response. If London Boroughs decide to go ahead RecycleBank are now in a position to mobilize within 90-120 days. We therefore hope to roll out the initial six-month pilots in Spring 2009 and discussions between interested boroughs and RecycleBank are underway. I will let you know as soon as boroughs formally decide they would like to host a pilot. * Non-Emergency Number Question No: 3008 / 2008 Gareth Bacon What progress has been made on developing a new Londonwide non-emergency “101” number for reporting fly tipping, noise pollution and other similar issues? Answer from the Mayor: The 101 number has been piloted in Barking & Dagenham and Waltham Forest since March 2008.

The services have been expanded and now include: • Fly tipping • Graffiti • Abandoned vehicles • Noise nuisance • Litter • Dog fouling • Street lighting • Pot holes and pavements

The Mayor is committed to improving Londoners' overall quality of life through a wide range of measures, including driving the development of a New York style ‘101’ number with our partners including London’s boroughs, for Londoners to have a one-stop contact to find out about city services, and report non-emergency issues such as fly-tipping and graffiti. * Public Buildings Question No: 3009 / 2008 Gareth Bacon What are the main lessons learnt from the public buildings energy efficiency trial, and how will these be reflected in the new scheme that is being rolled out on a much wider scale? Answer from the Mayor: A full assessment of the lessons learnt from the Building Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP), is currently underway with results expected in early 2009.

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The trial has identified a wide range of measures and is expected to bring about significant savings in cost and CO2, whilst demonstrating that energy performance contracting has a valuable and meaningful role to play in boosting the low carbon skills sector and economy in London.

The wider role out is unlikely to require major changes as opposed to modifications to suit a wider market and address issues of funding. This will be known more fully in the New Year, following consultation with a wide range of stakeholders in the public and private sector. * Greenwich Waterfront Transit Question No: 3011 / 2008 Victoria Borwick The Greenwich Waterfront Transit has a predicted cost of £44.3 million. Could the Mayor provide me with a full breakdown of how this money will be spent? Answer from the Mayor: The Greenwich Waterfront Transit Planning Application was submitted on 2 December 2008.The project has yet to complete negotiations to purchase property, or run a competitive tender to select a construction contractor. Therefore this detailed cost information is commercially sensitive. Project expenditure to date is £4.62m, which includes all detailed design, legal, environmental assessment and public consultation costs to progress the project to the Planning Application stage. * East London Transit Question No: 3012 / 2008 Victoria Borwick The East London Transit Phase 1a has a predicted cost of £26.5 million. Could the Mayor provide me with a full breakdown of how this money will be spent? Answer from the Mayor: The East London Transit is a modern bus transit service that will serve the communities from Ilford via Barking to Dagenham Dock station. It will be an important part of the social and economic regeneration of the Thames Gateway, helping to improve access to employment, leisure and retail opportunities and services for new and existing communities.

A contract for the construction of the project has been awarded and work is due to start in January 2009. A detailed breakdown of costs is as follows:

• Preliminary and Detailed Design, Project Management, and Contracts Supervision = £5m • Utility Diversions = £800k • Traffic signals and CCTV improvements = £1m • Construction, including a new bus way in Barking Town Centre, a new terminus facility at Dagenham Dock, kerb realignments, improvements to junctions, lighting and the urban landscape = £18.2m • Miscellaneous costs (e.g. Countdown signs, etc) = £1.5m • Total = £26.5m

123 East London Transit Question No: 3013 / 2008 Victoria Borwick The East London Transit Phase 1b has a predicted cost of £20.5 million. Could the Mayor provide me with a full breakdown of how this money will be spent? Answer from the Mayor: The project has yet to complete negotiations to purchase property, or run a competitive tender to select a construction contractor. Therefore this detailed cost information is commercially sensitive. Project expenditure to date is £255k, which includes initial preliminary design, environmental assessment and legal costs.

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