Subject: Questions to the Mayor Report number: 4

Report to: London Assembly Date: 20 October 2004 Report of: Director Of Secretariat

Stratford and the Thames Gateway Bridge Question No: 1261 / 2004 Darren Johnson How much extra private motorised traffic will be generated between the proposed Thames Gateway Bridge and the Stratford retail and leisure development? Has this been taken into account with the traffic model for the bridge, as outlined in Environmental Impact Assessment?

Time savings and Thames Gateway Bridge Question No: 1262 / 2004 Darren Johnson The positive assessment contained in the cost benefit analysis for the Thames Gateway Bridge is reliant upon journey time savings. What will be the impact on these time savings when the proposed DLR extensions to Woolwich Arsenal and Stratford International are built? What will be the impact of Crossrail upon this time savings assessment and the viability of the bus service across the bridge?

Thames Gateway Bridge: Who gets the jobs? Question No: 1263 / 2004 Darren Johnson Does the Economic Impact Report on the Thames Gateway Bridge include an assessment of how your claims of job increases will go to the identified groups of socially excluded populations within the area? How many of the jobs actually go to the identified target groups?

Thames Gateway Bridge and safeguarding Oxleas Wood Question No: 1264 / 2004 Darren Johnson In a response to a question from myself regarding the Thames Gateway Bridge (19.06.02), you stated that you had instructed Transport for London to identify any properties it owned on the route from the proposed bridge to Oxleas Wood and to accelerate their immediate sale and disposal so they are not in the public sector. Can you reassure me that any such properties owned by the bodies which make up the Greater London Authority, or any other government agency, have now been disposed of.

1 Thames Gateway Bridge and cost of tolls Question No: 1265 / 2004 Darren Johnson Based upon TfL’s experience with the congestion charge, what will be the approximate administrative costs of setting up a database of people eligable for the discounted and zero rated tolls across the Thames Gateway Bridge? What are the current costs for updating, checking and policing the database of discounted and zero rated tolls for the current congestion charge area? What are the estimated costs for doing this for the Thames Gateway Bridge? Approximately how large is the residential population covered by the current congestion charge and how large is the residential population of the area covered by the proposed local toll rate?

MonoMetro progress bye-passing TfL Question No: 1266 / 2004 Jenny Jones Are aware that monometro are working with Siemens to proceed with their alternative to Crossrail? Do you not think that it might be prudent for TfL to offer them more co-operation in drawing up their proposals, given the difficulties with raising sufficient finance to make Crossrail happen?

Energy usage on London buses Question No: 1267 / 2004 Darren Johnson Is it necessary that all buses in London drive with all the interior and exterior lights permenantly on? Is it not the case that if they only used their lights when needed they would reduce pollution, fuel consumption and electrical component/battery life, thus contributing to the objectives in your energy strategy?

Tramlink compensation Question No: 1268 / 2004 Andrew Pelling At the start of August I received confirmation from TfL that residents whose properties have been damaged by the development of Tramlink would soon received compensation from TfL and would be dealt with on an individual basis. My constituents are yet to receive the compensation due. When will TfL arrange for the compensation assessment to be carried out for each resident involved and when will TfL make the appropriate payments?

Provision of funding for analysis of current cycle usage Question No: 1269 / 2004 Andrew Pelling Thank you for your answer to question 1052. As a follow up, please advise how far Croydon and Sutton Councils have got with their monitoring of cycling patterns, what the results so far indicate, if any specific targets are set in regards to the monitoring process, whether those targets are being met and if not, why not and what is being done to ensure compliance.

2 Cuts in bye-law enforcement in Croydon Question No: 1270 / 2004 Andrew Pelling Bearing in mind our own GLA research shows that 39% of women feel unsafe in London’s green spaces, do you share my regret that the London Borough of Croydon is undertaking cuts in bye- law enforcement?

Advertising space for the London 2012 Olympics Bid Question No: 1271 / 2004 Andrew Pelling Could the Mayor confirm whether Transport for London is in fact donating the advertising space on buses and in tube stations to the London 2012 Bid at a cost of £8.4 million, as reported in Private Eye at the beginning of October 2004?

Brockley Common Question No: 1272 / 2004 Darren Johnson Will your biodiversity team work with the Brockley Cross Action Group and other partners to firm up proposals for the Brockley Common project (using disused railway land by Brockley station) and help identify appropriate sources of funding?

Croydon Road schemes and London’s trees Question No: 1273 / 2004 Jenny Jones Is it right that TfL should be proposing to cut down mature trees in the central reservation of the A232 in Shirley Road as a way of creating a new bus lane, instead of reallocating one of the existing two or three lanes of traffic?

Climate Change Question No: 1274 / 2004 Darren Johnson Would you be willing to promote an alliance of cities threatened by the effects of climate change, such as Dhaka, New York and New Orleans, and including London, to put pressure on governments to take action and engage in a wide-ranging public education campaign, as proposed by Enfield and the Barnets United Nations Association?

Climate Change Agency Question No: 1275 / 2004 Darren Johnson Please can you provide the following information about your Climate Change Agency: 1) terms of reference; 2) governance; 3) initial funding; 4) initial staffing; 5) location of offices?

3 Climate Change Agency Question No: 1276 / 2004 Darren Johnson Can you clarify the relationship between the Climate Change Agency and the London Energy Partnership? How will you ensure that there is no confusion about the respective roles and that the constructive work of the LEP is not undermined by the CCA?

Blue Ribbon Network Question No: 1277 / 2004 Darren Johnson According to the London Plan, `The Mayor has set up three advisory groups on issues connected with the Blue Ribbon Network. A Steering Group, a Stakeholders Forum and the London Canals Committee. The Mayor will look to these groups to advise him and to ensure that the various agencies working with the Blue Ribbon Network are jointly considering the challenges that face London and ensuring that London’s interests as a whole are at the forefront of decision-making’. When did the Steering Group and Canals Committee last meet? What amount of GLA officer time is available to service the three groups? Do you agree that these groups can only advise you and other bodies properly if they meet regularly and reasonably frequently, and have sufficient officer support?

Deptford Park Question No: 1278 / 2004 Darren Johnson How will Lewisham Council’s recent decision to grant planning permission for housing development, car parking and access road on part of Deptford Park (a much needed public park in an area very short of open space) assist in the achievement of objective 1 of the London Plan `to accommodate London’s growth within its boundaries without encroaching on open spaces’?

West London Waste Authority Question No: 1279 / 2004 Darren Johnson Do you agree that the West London Waste Authority should produce a joint municipal waste management strategy before instigating the tendering process for the disposal of residual waste? In the absence of such a strategy, including information on how waste can best be reduced, reused, recycled and composted and the likely composition of residual waste, how will you be able to assess whether any proposed contract would be detrimental to your Municipal Waste Management Strategy?

West London Waste Authority Question No: 1280 / 2004 Darren Johnson Are you aware that approval of a contract between WLWA and Grundon could be key to enabling Grundon to obtain financing for the construction of a new incinerator at Colnbrook that would not otherwise be built? Will you give a commitment that you will not approve a contact involving WLWA which would support the building of a new incinerator at Colnbrook?

4 Landfill allowances Question No: 1281 / 2004 Darren Johnson Proposal 39 of your Municipal Waste Management Strategy says that you `will consult with London’s waste authorities about arrangements for the coordination of trading landfill allowances through the Mayor acting as broker’. What progress has been made with this proposal, which could assist some authorities whilst they are developing sufficient sustainable waste management facilities?

Waste management sites - Richmond Question No: 1282 / 2004 Darren Johnson Are you concerned that Richmond’s draft SPG on development in the Crane Valley (currently out for consultation) proposes redevelopment for housing on half of the site currently used for recycling at Central Depot, Langhorn Drive, Twickenham, given that Richmond and the West London Waste Authority claim that additional incineration is likely to be needed owing to a shortage of land available for sustainable waste management? Will you be objecting to this proposal in the draft SPG?

Waste management sites - Enfield Question No: 1283 / 2004 Darren Johnson Are you concerned that Enfield Council proposes to sell two recycling centres in Caterhatch Lane and Palmers Green for housing, and centralise facilities at one location on the A10? Is this proposal consistent with your Waste Strategy and the waste policies in the London Plan? Have you made representations to Enfield Council?

Crossrail and loss of playing fields Question No: 1284 / 2004 Darren Johnson What area of Westlands Playing Fields in Romford would be permanently acquired by Crossrail and permanently removed from open space use? How would you ensure that the part of the playing fields used by Crossrail temporarily would be returned to open space use? Given that Crossrail state that part of Westlands Playing Fields would be permanently lost, do you accept that they should make more serious effort to seek an alternative depot site?

Erith Marshes Question No: 1285 / 2004 Darren Johnson Will the LDA be supporting Bexley Council’s current application for EU objective 2 funding for the East Thamesmead Centre for Innovation, given that construction of the Centre would involve destruction of rare grazing marsh at Erith? Will you back MEP Jean Lambert’s appeal to the EU to refuse funding for the Centre in view of the ecological damage which will be caused? Will you write to GOL (sponsor for the application) to alert them to the harm that the Centre and associated industrial business park will cause?

5 Erith Marshes Question No: 1286 / 2004 Darren Johnson As the developer has been required to redo the Environmental Impact Assessment and Bexley will have to reconsider its decision to grant planning permission for the East Thamesmead Industrial Business Park at Erith Marshes, will you be making revised representations in the light of the new EIA, and will you require Bexley to notify you of its further decision so that you can decide afresh whether or not to direct refusal?

Bus Ticketing Question No: 1287 / 2004 Graham Tope In an attempt to make bus routes more reliable by shortening them [e.g. 12, 88, 159] TfL London Buses has also ensured that when passengers are forced to change buses they have to pay an additional flat fare. Is it possible to make tickets valid for an hour after they are issued or stamped?

School Places Question No: 1288 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone Would the mayor not agree that Haringey’s inability to provide local places for local children is undoing any of his good work on getting rid of the school run

Fare Rises Question No: 1289 / 2004 Graham Tope In answer to a question of the congestion charge (in September MQT) you said that you would have to consult with the public before increasing the congestion charge. Why did you decide not to consult with the public on increases in public transport fares?

Tuition Fees Question No: 1290 / 2004 Graham Tope What representations have you made to your colleagues in government on the issue of student tuition fees?

Crossrail Question No: 1291 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone Do you welcome the confident remarks of Transport Minister Tony McNulty at a Labour Conference fringe meeting that the Government were committed to providing up to £3 billion for Crossrail and in view of this commitment effectively to match-fund the private sector’s £3 billion are we now in a position to move ahead with the project? Do you think the Treasury is as committed to financing Crossrail to this extent as the Department for Transport, or will they in the end block further progress using as an excuse the ‘huge, huge’ problems Mr McNulty alluded to in terms of planning and engineering?

6 SRA’s consultation on Brighton main route Question No: 1292 / 2004 Graham Tope Are you submitting a response to the Strategic Rail Authority¿s consultation (deadline 3 December 2004) on the Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy? Will you support local communities in Hammersmith and Fulham by opposing the SRA’s proposal to terminate the Watford-Brighton rail service at Clapham Junction, which would sever one of London¿s few orbital rail routes providing an important north-south link and reducing the need to travel through central London, and make journeys much more difficult for disabled passengers?

Tube Failures Question No: 1293 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone Please list the (a) track (b) signalling (c) rolling stock failures which have occurred on each of the London Underground lines in each of the last three years

Transport projects cuts Question No: 1294 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone When do you plan to announce which of your transport projects will be cut following the publication of the Government transport White Paper?

Thameslink 2000 Question No: 1295 / 2004 Mike Tuffrey What progress has been made on the Thameslink 2000 project?

Fare Dodging Question No: 1296 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone Since you took over responsibility for bus and Tube services in London can you tell the number of people that have been caught fare dodging on a/ buses and B/ the Tube, how many people were issued with Penalty Fares for a/buses and B/Tubes and how many were prosecuted for a/bus fare evasion and B/Tube fare evasion?

Ticket Inspectors Question No: 1297 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone How many; a) plain clothes enforcement officers and b) ticket inspectors have there been on the a/ bus and b/tube networks for the past 4 years? How many will there be in the financial year 2005/06?

7 Bus ticket machines Question No: 1298 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone How many bus stop ticket machines that have been repaired over each of the last 2 years? How many are currently awaiting repair? How long does a repair take and how much does TfL estimate it has lost through kind-hearted bus drivers (quite rightly) allowing passengers to board without paying when the malfunctioning of a machine means they cannot pay?

Later running Tubes Question No: 1299 / 2004 Graham Tope When do you expect to implement the Liberal Democrat plan you supported at the last mayoral election to run the Tube an hour later than current services on Friday and Saturday night?

Police and Police and Community Support Officer numbers Question No: 1300 / 2004 Graham Tope Please set out the number of positions and the number of vacancies by borough for each month since the safer neighbourhood scheme began, for a) PCSOs, b) sergeants and c) police officers.

Last Mile Scheme Question No: 1301 / 2004 Graham Tope How much money are you planning to allocate for each of the next 3 years to the `last mile home’ scheme to provide safe travel to people’s front doors that you announced during the mayoral election campaign?

Tube Staff Question No: 1302 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone What is the number of female tube drivers and female tube staff as both a number and percentage for each of the last 3 years?

Tube Staff Question No: 1303 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone What is the number and percentage of ethnic minority tube drivers and tube staff for each of the last 3 years?

Pedestrian subways Question No: 1304 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone Please list which pedestrian subways in the capital fall under the responsibility of Transport for London?

8 Congestion Charge Cameras Question No: 1305 / 2004 Graham Tope Have you agreed to purchase new digital cameras for the congestion charge zone, and if so, how much will these cameras cost and do they have any other purpose other than for recording vehicles entering the congestion charge zone?

Freedom of Greater London Question No: 1306 / 2004 Sally Hamwee How many people have received the Freedom of Greater London since the Rugby World Cup winners were awarded that honour, and do you plan to extend this honour to all the members of the Olympic and Paralympic Team GB who won medals in Athens?

Post office closures Question No: 1307 / 2004 Graham Tope Do you agree that plans by the Post Office to close 6 out of 13 sub-post offices in the Sutton and Cheam constituency will harm the vitality and viability of shops in Belmont Village, Cheam Village, Church Hill Road and Stonecot Hill and disadvantage the elderly and disabled who rely on these post offices and those in Oldfields Road and Angel Hill?

Ewell Road/A237 Cheam Village Question No: 1308 / 2004 Graham Tope Will you ensure that any future plans for the Ewell Road/A237 Cheam village junction take full account of the representations received from residents in response to the original scheme?

Public consultation Question No: 1309 / 2004 Sally Hamwee Will you publish the names of the twenty service providers to the GLA Group’s framework arrangement for public consultation and market research services referred to in your latest report to the Assembly, and can you tell me what the proposed budget is for these services?

Congestion Charge adjudicators Question No: 1310 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone How many extra congestion charge adjudicators that have been employed for the last 12 months and what is now the total staffing numbers of congestion charge adjudicators?

9 A4 Westbound/Weltje Road south Question No: 1311 / 2004 Sally Hamwee For some time there have been obstructions to vehicle drivers¿ sightlines caused by signs advising motorists of road works (long since completed) and dead trees on the verge at the junction of the A4 Westbound and Weltje Road South in Hammersmith. Transport for London have been contacted about these dangers, but no action has been taken. As Chair of TfL will you instruct TfL officers to deal with these problems without further delay? Do you agree that authorities should ensure that temporary signs are removed as soon as their purpose is concluded?

Home Insurance in the Thames Gateway Question No: 1312 / 2004 Dee Doocey What headway has the LDA made in its negotiations with the Association of British Insurers about ensuring that all homes in the Thames Gateway will be able to get affordable insurance?

Demand for Housing in London Question No: 1313 / 2004 Withdrawn

London Underground Energy Consumption Question No: 1314 / 2004 Mike Tuffrey Does London Underground have a target for increasing the amount of electricity it purchases from renewable energy sources, and if so what is it?

Solar Power Question No: 1315 / 2004 Mike Tuffrey Will you be revising the London Plan to accord with the ODPM’s recent announcement requiring that all new homes built from January 2006 will have to be designed to receive solar power? Do you expect house builders in London to sign up to this?

Affordable Housing Question No: 1316 / 2004 Dee Doocey Was the 50% affordable housing target met in the year 2003/04?

Streatham Hub Project Question No: 1317 / 2004 Mike Tuffrey Given that continuing delays in granting planning permission risk the whole future of a viable leisure complex at Streatham Hub, have you asked TfL, as you promised to do at June’s MQT, to look at alternative sites for the bus layover? What was TfL’s response?

10 Housing and Homelessness Unit Question No: 1318 / 2004 Dee Doocey What work has the housing and homelessness unit conducted to analyse and address the impact of EU enlargement on London’s homelessness figures? Have the number of migrants coming into the capital without arranged accommodation increased?

Kings Cross ticket Hall Question No: 1319 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone What factors led to the Department for Transport ordering a review of Transport for London/London Underground’s Phase 2 of the LUL CTRL redevelopment of King’s Cross, St Pancras, a £250 million project which includes the construction of a Northern Ticket Hall for King’s Cross Underground Station, and why have cost estimates doubled since the project began? Why has the Government¿s review which was scheduled to report in the summer still not reported, and what work is LUL undertaking with Mott Parsons Gibb, the Government’s advisers on the Project? Can you estimate how much it will have cost for the work at King’s Cross to be suspended and how much longer can we afford to delay without incurring the costs of contractors having to remobilise, rehire staff, and redesign and re-do work that has already been completed?

Bus links for Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals Question No: 1320 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone Will you instruct TfL London Buses to investigate the feasibility of providing a direct bus link between the Barnet Hospital and the Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield, now that patients from Chipping Barnet will face a difficult journey to Chase Farm when proposals to transfer hospital services there are implemented ?

Tubelines profits Question No: 1321 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone Following the announcement of over £41million profit to Tubelines and the consequent £100,000 bonus paid to Tubelines Chief Executive Terry Morgan, does the Mayor¿s silence on these figures mean he now feels unable, or is unwilling to criticise Labour’s appalling PPP?

603 Bus Route Question No: 1322 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone The 603 Muswell Hill to Swiss Cottage bus route is proving hugely successful - although of course residents want expansion to a full service. However, the current provision of just two buses morning and afternoon, are not adequate to enable all the local children to reach the variety of schools along the route in time. Those children are therefore denied the opportunity of using this very popular new route. Will the Mayor get Transport for London to provide one more bus to address this problem?

11 Expansion of the 603 bus route Question No: 1323 / 2004 Lynne Featherstone When TfL decided against running even a trial of the 603 Muswell Hill to Swiss Cottage bus route - you overturned their decision and trialled the bus at school peak hours. The trial was a success and the buses at those times are now permanent. As a result there are now many grateful children and parents - but there are also many, many other residents still desperate for this service at other times of the day. TfL have now decided that they will not trial a full service, following their review, as the cost benefit ratio doesn’t meet their thresholds. However, as you know, TfL were wrong before about demand and local residents and campaigners, along with the Liberal Democrats believe TfL are wrong again. On behalf of all those who would use this bus if it were a full service and who support its expansion, I am asking you to once again overrule TfL’s decision and institute a trial period for a full service.

LGBT Forum and Dr Yusif al_Qaradawi Question No: 1324 / 2004 Graham Tope Why was the GLA’s LGBT Forum prevented from debating the issues arising from the visit of Dr Yusif al-Qaradawi to City Hall?

European Social Forum Question No: 1325 / 2004 Sally Hamwee Now that the European Social Forum has taken place what assessment has taken place? How did the event provide ‘value for money’ and ‘enhance existing work steams’ as detailed in MAF 1791?

European Social Forum Question No: 1326 / 2004 Sally Hamwee Was the ESF a GLA event? If not, why did the GLA make such a large financial contribution to the event? Which other organisations gave a financial contribution and how do these amounts compare to the total figure given by GLA?

European Social Forum Question No: 1327 / 2004 Sally Hamwee Given the decision to vire funds to support the ESF was made close to the event, and was not in the GLA’s Business Plan, what assurances can you give Londoners that your 2005/06 Budget and Business plan will be an accurate reflection of spending for that year? How much funding do you intend to put aside for unplanned financial commitments like the European Social Forum next year?

Board Members Salaries Question No: 1328 / 2004 Sally Hamwee Will you ensure that individual board members salaries for both TfL and LDA are detailed clearly on their respective websites (including additional salaries for committee positions where appropriate, not simply the total salary figures for all members?

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Police Force Question No: 1329 / 2004 Damian Hockney Does the Mayor agree that, to prevent a centralised national police force, with all the potential for even greater central government political interference, the existing police force structure ought to be retained?

BNP councillors Question No: 1330 / 2004 Damian Hockney Does the Mayor join UKIP in condemning the Labour Party for recruiting councillors originally elected to represent the BNP?

Public Space at the GLA Question No: 1331 / 2004 Damian Hockney Was the Mayor responsible for the decision to place pictures depicting the Prime Minister and the US president as mad, blood-smeared war criminals in the front windows of City Hall? And what is his policy on giving public space to political statements masquerading as works of art?

Hanbury Street shaft. Question No: 1332 / 2004 Peter Hulme-Cross Given the considerable local opposition to the Hanbury Street shaft, will the Mayor give an undertaking that he and members of the Crossrail team will meet local representatives from Spitalfields to discuss possible alternatives?

EU rules Question No: 1333 / 2004 Peter Hulme-Cross The Mayor has made reference recently to ‘barmy’ rules from Brussels. Can he confirm whether he believes that EU rules which prevent offering discounts to local lorries on the planned Thames Gateway Bridge are ‘barmy’, and will he confirm that nothing can be done to counter EU interference jeopardising promises made as part of a London infrastructure project?

Home Zones and crime Question No: 1334 / 2004 Jenny Jones How many home zones have been created annually in London in the years since your election in 2000? Has the number and extent of these home zones increased and is it likely to do so next year? Has any study been carried out in London on the impact home zones have on the reported incidence of crime and do you consider that this would be a useful exercise? Are you aware that the Morice Town Home Zone in Plymouth recently won a national award, partly on the basis that the number of reported incidents of crime fell from 142 in 2002/3 to just nine in 2003/4?

13 Traffic reduction and school run Question No: 1335 / 2004 Jenny Jones When you introduce free bus fares for under 18s, what do you expect to be the resultant modal shift out of cars and onto buses of children travelling to school? Have you seen the cost-benefit analysis of this proposal, compared to other means of delivering traffic reduction on the school run? Have you considered delivering the under sixteen years stage of the scheme in a more targeted way, by utilising the system of school travel plans?

Free Bus Travel and other alternatives Question No: 1336 / 2004 Jenny Jones Can you outline the revenue costs of introduces free bus travel to under 18s? Also, what will be the costs of additional services needed to cater for an extra 115m bus journeys a year? Will the TfL business plan outline the reasons why this policy has been preferred compared to other measures outlined in your manifesto which are not going to receive adequate funding?

Oyster Cards and all day travel Question No: 1337 / 2004 Darren Johnson Why is it taking so long to establish a capping system on Oyster cards so that people pay the best fare for the journey, such as a one day travel card rather than the cost of several individual journeys? What is the current timetable for smart pre-pay?

Transport Priorities Question No: 1338 / 2004 Murad Qureshi What are the priorities for TfL over the period covered by the £2.9billion prudential borrowing permission from the Government?

Neighbourhood Policing Question No: 1339 / 2004 John Biggs What would the impact be on local policing of any significant cut in the GLA Group budget?

Additional Security for the Palace of Westminster Question No: 1340 / 2004 Murad Qureshi What discussions have there been with either the Mayor or the MPA about covering the cost of any additional MPS security within the Palace of Westminster?

Parliament Square Question No: 1341 / 2004 Murad Qureshi What advice has the Mayor received from the MPS about allowing demonstrations in Parliament Square whilst Parliament is sitting?

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Countryside Alliance Question No: 1342 / 2004 Nicky Gavron What was the cost to the MPS and GLA of the pro-hunting demonstration in Westminster on 15 September?

Countryside Alliance Question No: 1343 / 2004 Nicky Gavron How many police officers were injured at the pro-hunting demonstration in Westminster on 15 September?

Fathers for Justice Question No: 1344 / 2004 Nicky Gavron What has been the cost to the MPA/MPS of policing demonstrations organised by members of the Group Fathers for Justice?

Fathers for Justice Question No: 1345 / 2004 Jennette Arnold How many officers have been diverted from other duties to police demonstrations organised by members of the Group Fathers for Justice?

Bus Driver Standards Question No: 1346 / 2004 Murad Qureshi Does TfL monitor the observance by bus drivers of Highway Code standards, such as not blocking pedestrian crossings whilst in traffic queues?

Pedestrian/Cyclist Accidents Question No: 1347 / 2004 Murad Qureshi How many pedestrian casualties do cyclists on pavements, or overtaking stationary traffic at pedestrian crossings, cause?

Enforcement of box junctions Question No: 1348 / 2004 Murad Qureshi How many offences at box junctions has TfL detected since gaining powers to fine motorists for this offence? Are figures available for borough roads in pilot boroughs?

15 Promoting the Heritage Sector Question No: 1349 / 2004 Joanne McCartney What criteria does TfL use for deciding which historic or culturally important locations to promote to travellers?

London Reserve Forces Question No: 1350 / 2004 Len Duvall In light of the deployment of London reservists overseas, and the contribution of territorial units to emergency planning and other civil support roles within the Capital, does the Mayor have any plans to recognise the contribution of territorial and volunteer reservists to London?

ASBOs Question No: 1351 / 2004 Jennette Arnold Is the Mayor aware of the widespread divergence between boroughs in securing ASBOs to deal with anti-social behaviour across London? What measures can the GLA take to support the MPS and encourage boroughs and social landlords to use their powers against anti-social behaviour?

Financial Exclusion (ref Question No: 1089 / 2004) Question No: 1352 / 2004 Len Duvall What is the LDA doing to tackle the problems of personal lack of access to banking and debt advice?

Neighbourhood Policing Question No: 1353 / 2004 Joanne McCartney Does the Mayor agree with Richard Barnes AM that neighbourhood policing is expensive and ineffective?

MPS Savings Question No: 1354 / 2004 John Biggs What is being done to ensure that the MPS bears down on costs to ensure resources for front line policing are maximised?

Borough Policing Question No: 1355 / 2004 Valerie Shawcross Would the Mayor encourage the MPA and MPS to continue to invest extra resources in Lambeth and Southwark?

16 Cross Border Policing Question No: 1356 / 2004 Valerie Shawcross What is the MPS doing to promote more effective policing of communities split between boroughs, such as at Crystal Palace?

Security at Crystal Palace Park Question No: 1357 / 2004 Valerie Shawcross What commitment has the LDA had from the Borough of Bromley concerning continued provision of park rangers at Crystal Palace Park?

Equalities Question No: 1358 / 2004 Jennette Arnold What is being done to ensure a consistent approach across the GLA Group to, and application by managers of, equalities and fair treatment at work procedures?

Disabled Access Question No: 1359 / 2004 Murad Qureshi Can the Mayor re-assure us that PPP will comply with our obligations under the recent legislation on disabled access?

Stepless Access to the Tube Question No: 1360 / 2004 Murad Qureshi What advice has TfL had from organisations of and for blind people concerning the difficulties faced by guide dogs at tube stations with stepless access?

Safety on North London Line Question No: 1361 / 2004 Murad Qureshi Can the Mayor assure us that once he takes responsibility for the North London Line, measures will be taken to ensure every effort is made to avoid future incidents like the recent fire at Kilburn High Road Station?

Hayes Line Question No: 1362 / 2004 Len Duvall What is being done to ensure security improvements at stations on the Hayes rail line?

17 Hayes Line Question No: 1363 / 2004 Len Duvall In light of moves to give the Mayor greater authority over other rail lines wholly within Greater London, will the Mayor be pressing for greater powers over the Hayes rail line?

Abandoned Phoneboxes Question No: 1364 / 2004 Joanne McCartney Abandoned phoneboxes left over from a no longer trading phone company blight some of the high streets in my constituency. These are becoming a magnet for flyposting and vandalism. Ofcom has washed it’s hands of dealing with these boxes and tried to pass the responsibility to local councils, but they face legal as well as financial barriers to getting them removed. This problem highlights a growing problem in London. More and more companies are leaving similar abandoned street and pavement furniture on our high streets. Leaving this solely to councils to remove will result in a hotch-potch approach to their removal and continuing untidiness on our high streets. Can the mayor tell us, what if any powers he has to address this and similar problems through Capital Standards, TfL where it is the relevant highways authority, or through any other powers?

Head of Tube Lines Question No: 1365 / 2004 Jennette Arnold Do you think it is acceptable for the Head of Tube Lines which runs the Piccadilly, Jubilee and Northern lines to receive a large bonus when the company has failed to meet its performance targets?

The London Tram Question No: 1366 / 2004 Valerie Shawcross A) What is the expected timetable for the future development and planning of the London Tram scheme? B) What opportunities will the local communities along the route have for commenting on and influencing the detailed design and routing of the scheme? C) When will the decision be taken on the siting of the Peckham depot?

Extension of the Croydon Tram Link Question No: 1367 / 2004 Valerie Shawcross What are the prospects for further developments on the four proposed extensions on the Croydon tramlink scheme?

LDA Cultural Strategy Question No: 1368 / 2004 Valerie Shawcross What support is the LDA planning to give for cultural businesses in Brixton and Elephant and Castle in the run up for Christmas?

18 Brixton Town Centre Question No: 1369 / 2004 Valerie Shawcross What is the Mayor’s view on the detailed proposal for the creation of a new square in the Brixton Town Centre?

Streatham Hub Question No: 1370 / 2004 Valerie Shawcross Does the Mayor believe there may be scope for further improvements in the design of the Streatham Hub scheme which would reduce the detrimental impact to local residents?

Southwark UDP Question No: 1371 / 2004 Valerie Shawcross Can the Mayor comment on Southwark Council’s proposal to change the designation of Rotherhithe and Nunhead from suburban to an urban zone. Does he think Southwark provided sufficient justification for the decision?

Crystal Palace Question No: 1372 / 2004 Valerie Shawcross Will the Mayor summarise information and views gathered during the LDA consultation process on the future of Crystal Palace and sports facilities?

Public Conveniences in Crystal Palace Park Question No: 1373 / 2004 Nicky Gavron Are there any plans to consider adding new toilets at the Penge end of Crystal Palace Park, perhaps incorporated into the Information Centre?

Rail Maintenance Question No: 1374 / 2004 Roger Evans In a written answer from the last Question Time you told me that you were not aware of any formal proposal to close the depot at Temple Mills. However, on page 12 of Montague’s Crossrail Review it says of the current Romford depot, `The site is occupied by Balfour Beatty Rail Maintenance Ltd and, although it is currently underused, may become more important in the future for main line rail maintenance following the closure of Temple Mills.’ This seems to me to be a clear statement that Temple Mills is due to close. Please could you elaborate on the plans to close Temple Mills? Could you also explain what will be done to replace the lost capacity for train maintenance which will result from this and give me a clear idea of how this will impact on Romford?

19 Revenue protection on articulated buses Question No: 1375 / 2004 Roger Evans What is the current estimated ridership on the articulated bus routes which have been introduced to date. Of these passengers, what proportion: - Pay for their journey though having a travel card? - Use Saver tickets? - Pay for their ticket at a roadside machine? - Evade paying their fare?

Transport project cuts Question No: 1376 / 2004 Roger Evans Which of your transport projects have you had to cut as a consequence of lower than expected Government funding for Transport for London? How did you reach the decision about which projects stayed and which were cut?

Injuries on buses Question No: 1377 / 2004 Roger Evans Could the Mayor tell us how many people have been injured in the past 12 months: I. Falling from the open decks of Routemaster buses? II. Falling when having to stand on board a bus?

Off-peak Services on the Central Line Question No: 1378 / 2004 Roger Evans When do you plan to reintroduce stopping services after 8pm at Roding Valley, Chigwell and Grange Hill stations?

Injuries on buses Question No: 1379 / 2004 Roger Evans Could the Mayor tell us how much it will cost to modify roads and pavements in some of the narrower winding streets of London in order for them to take bendy buses safely?

20mph Speed Limits Question No: 1380 / 2004 Bob Blackman Do you support proposals for the imposition of 20mph speed limits in areas where the majority of residents oppose such schemes?

Road Safety Question No: 1381 / 2004 Roger Evans Why cannot Transport for London financially support the setting up of 31 road safety teams across London, at an annual running cost of £3.5 million of and taxpayers’ money?

20 Allotments in London Question No: 1382 / 2004 Bob Blackman What serious measures are being taken to promote and encourage greater use of allotments throughout London? Do you oppose the use of allotment land being turned over to housing development displacing allotment holders and disturbing the wildlife?

Unlicensed Street Traders Question No: 1383 / 2004 Bob Blackman What plans do you have to tackle the problem of unlicensed street traders on the Kilburn High Road, particularly those selling food and contraband?

The Africa Mercy Question No: 1384 / 2004 Roger Evans Would it be possible for the Mayor to authorise an exhibition at City Hall for all GLA employees and members of the public to view the incredible dedicated work of Mercy Ships and their crews?

Improvement to Air Quality Question No: 1385 / 2004 Bob Blackman Levels of nitrogen dioxide are far exceeding target levels in many parts of London. What are your plans to combat this problem and what action is proposed to improve the air quality?

Industrial Relations on the Tube Question No: 1386 / 2004 Roger Evans How do you reconcile the fact that you entered into negotiations with Bob Crow (with Brendan Barbour of the TUC acting as the broker) over the RMT’s threatened action on the Underground just days after you stated at Mayor’s Question Time on 15th July this year that ‘We employed the best railway operators we could find in the world not simply so they could be overruled by me in a separate side deal with the trade unions. The trade unions must negotiate with Tim O’Toole and his team and they cannot expect to come to me as a court of appeal’?

E-Democracy Question No: 1387 / 2004 Bob Blackman All our meetings are available on webcams. Do you support proposals for Boroughs to follow suit? If so, what action are you taking to promote this means of advertising the work of elected bodies?

21 Industrial Relations on the Tube Question No: 1388 / 2004 Roger Evans How many outstanding disputes are there between: · The Unions and London Underground Limited? · The Unions and Metronet? · The Unions and Tube Lines?

Support for the Scouting Movement Question No: 1389 / 2004 Bob Blackman In parts of London there has been an increase in recruitment to the Scouting movement. What support do you offer to the Scouting and Guiding Movements?

Ilford Town Centre Question No: 1390 / 2004 Roger Evans Could the Mayor elaborate on his plans for Ilford town centre, with particular regard to increasing the capacity of bus stands and improving the station? What kind of timescale can be attached to any improvements?

Fireworks in London Question No: 1391 / 2004 Bob Blackman Now that the government has passed the ‘Fireworks Act’ how do you propose that the various authorities will cooperate to regulate the use of fireworks and the timing of displays? What action do you propose on the size and type of fireworks available for purchase throughout London?

Kilburn Estate Regeneration Question No: 1392 / 2004 Bob Blackman The Kilburn Estate regeneration is a key major project for the provision of decent homes to a large part of North-West London. However, the scheme is for flats only and neither recycling nor combined heat and power facilities have been included as part of the proposed plan. Children will have to play in quadrangles making life a misery for ground floor residents. What action do you propose to ensure that appropriate changes are made to this scheme to improve the quality of life for those potential residents of this scheme?

Pupils in Schools Question No: 1393 / 2004 Tony Arbour Recommendation 8 of the research findings of “The educational experiences and achievements of black boys in London Schools 2000-2003” by the London Development Agency’s Education Commission states that “The Department for Education and Skills should establish a strategy through the London Challenge to ensure that Black pupils are not over concentrated in the lowest performing schools and or those in serious weaknesses or special measures.” Would this entail a US style policy of “busing” where children are sent to schools miles away from home?

22 Emergency Training for City Hall Staff Question No: 1394 / 2004 Bob Blackman City Hall is clearly a potential target for a terrorist attack. What provision is being made for the training for staff and members for the required action in the event of an attack?

School Budgets Question No: 1395 / 2004 Tony Arbour As schools have to manage their own budgets for staff, does the Mayor agree that the recently proposed idea of “golden hellos” for black male teachers will actually lead to less being employed due to the extra cost?

Mobile Phone Masts Question No: 1396 / 2004 Bob Blackman What proposals do you have for promoting greater awareness of risks associated with Mobile Phone Masts?

Parenting Classes Question No: 1397 / 2004 Tony Arbour If recommendation 56 of the research findings of “The educational experiences and achievements of black boys in London Schools 2000-2003” by the London Development Agency’s Education Commission was to be implemented, how would the Mayor suggest schools inform parents that they have to attend parenting classes, and what sanctions could be used against parents failing to attend?

Formula One in London Question No: 1398 / 2004 Bob Blackman What was the cost to Londoners of the formula 1 procession designed to promote London as a potential centre for the British Grand Prix? What efforts are now being made to introduce such a scheme and what would be the impact on Londoners in the weeks before such an event?

Education Finance Question No: 1399 / 2004 Tony Arbour Has any costing been done as to the cost of implementing all the recommendations in “The educational experiences and achievements of black boys in London Schools 2000-2003” by the London Development Agency’s Education Commission?

Police Recording of all Stops Question No: 1400 / 2004 Bob Blackman What is expected to be the impact of the requirement for police officers being required to fill out a form each time they stop an individual?

23 Red Route Between Holland Road And Earls Court Road Question No: 1401 / 2004 Angie Bray What reassurances can you give to those members of the Kensington Red Route Action Group who fear that the expanded Congestion Charge Zone will further diminish the air quality in their area due to displacement?

Re-routing of Buses Along Staverton Road Question No: 1402 / 2004 Bob Blackman What action is proposed to resolve the problems of residents caused by the 1200 timetabled bus journeys through Staverton Road in Willesden? Do you support the suggestions from residents for the rerouting of half of these journeys along other nearby roads?

Job Losses in the Harrow Area Question No: 1403 / 2004 Bob Blackman Is the Mayor aware of Wealdstone-based Kodak’s decision to axe 250 jobs in the area? Does he think that this decision, plus the growing movement of turning offices into housing in Harrow marks a worrying trend in the Harrow area?

Cost of Olympics Question No: 1404 / 2004 Angie Bray What guarantee can you give Londoners that any overspend on a London Olympics will be more tightly controlled than in previous Games?

MPA Draft Budget Submission 2005/6 Question No: 1405 / 2004 Richard Barnes What is the impact for the safer neighbourhoods and step change programmes of the MPA 2005/6 draft budget submission and medium term financial plan?

MPS clear up rates Question No: 1406 / 2004 Richard Barnes Are you satisfied with Metropolitan Police clear up rate and what do you believe should be done to improve it?

Capita Private Finance Initiative Question No: 1407 / 2004 Angie Bray Have you ever given consideration to funding the Westward Expansion through offering Capita a Private Finance Initiative arrangement?

24 ESF cashflow difficulties Question No: 1408 / 2004 Richard Barnes Your October report to the Assembly states that the UK ESF 2004 (London) Ltd is currently having cashflow difficulties. What are the causes of these cashflow problems?

Proposed changes to FGWL timetable Question No: 1409 / 2004 Richard Barnes Are you aware of the changes to the winter timetable proposed by the First Great Western Link that will see train services from Hayes and Harlington drop by 25% in the morning peak, and Hanwell and Acton stations drop in the morning by 50% - resulting in significantly reduced service for west London commuters? Will you immediately lobby First Great Western Link to review their proposed timetable to ensure that services from west London commuter stations are maintained at current levels?

Ban on Representations to the TfL Board Question No: 1410 / 2004 Angie Bray In a letter of 24th September to Derek Myers, Town Clerk of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Fiona Smith, General Counsel of Transport for London, stated “it is not TfL’s practice to allow third parties to make written representations to the board”. When did the board decide this? Have the new board members been made aware of this decision? And if the board did not take the decision then by what authority did TfL officers make this statement? Do you think it is appropriate to ban stakeholders from making written representations to what is supposed to be a public body? Do you think that TfL board members should only be allowed to receive papers prepared for them by TfL officers?

Capital Call Centre Practices Question No: 1411 / 2004 Angie Bray In your answer to 1153/2004 you stated, “The call notation process has been identified as being in need of improvement though this should not have delayed the resolution of a customer complaint”. How can it be the case that the system is below standard but that this does not have any detrimental affect on service levels?

Changes to commuting patterNs resulting from FGWL timetable revision Question No: 1412 / 2004 Richard Barnes Will you ask TfL to undertake work to examine the impact on commuting patterns in West London if the proposed changes to the winter timetable are introduced by First Great Western Link?

Business Rates Question No: 1413 / 2004 Richard Barnes Why did the Government refuse to allow the GLA to take part in the government scheme to provide local authorities with a percentage share of business rates?

25 West London Tram Consultation Question No: 1414 / 2004 Richard Barnes What was the response rate to the recent West London Tram consultation and can you provide a breakdown of the response rate by local authority ward?

Local authorities and PCSOs Question No: 1415 / 2004 Richard Barnes Can you confirm that those local authorities who have purchased PCSOs from the MPS will not have the number of PCSOs provided centrally from the MPA for safer neighbourhoods teams reduced?

Amalgamation of London Police Question No: 1416 / 2004 Richard Barnes Following media reports in the Guardian, 8 October 2004, will you make the business case that you have presented to the Home Office regarding the amalgamation of the BTP and City of London Police in the MPS into the public domain?

The Londoner Question No: 1417 / 2004 Elizabeth Howlett Does the fact that GLA functional bodies are charged in advance for features in The Londoner amount to a levy?

Educational research Question No: 1418 / 2004 Elizabeth Howlett Will the Mayor agree to postpone any initiatives regarding the educational achievement of black boys until such time as Recommendation 50 of the research findings of ‘The educational experiences and achievements of black boys in London Schools 2000-2003’ by the London Development Agency’s Education Commission, is implemented, allowing a clearer picture of the achievements of different ethnic groups in London to be seen?

Congestion Charge Question No: 1419 / 2004 Elizabeth Howlett As Schedule 23 of the Greater London Authority Act assumes congestion charging will produce a surplus which must then only be invested in transport schemes which provide ;value for money’, does the Mayor agree that the westward expansion of the Congestion Charge should not go ahead if it does not create surplus funds?

26 Queen’s Grove/Finchley Road/Marlborough Place Junction Question No: 1420 / 2004 Angie Bray As you are aware there has been a long running dispute regarding the new Traffic Lights at the junction of Queen’s Grove, Finchley Road and Marlborough Place. Can you explain why TFL did not inform the St John Wood Society of the findings of the consultation?

Teachers in London Question No: 1421 / 2004 Bob Neill In the research findings of ‘The educational experiences and achievements of black boys in London Schools 2000-2003’ by the LDA¿s Education Commission, the relative lack of achievement of black boys is put down to ‘low teacher expectations¿ and ¿racism in varying forms in school’. How does the Mayor square this claim with the statement in his Mayor’s report that, ‘I have never been one of those who blame teachers for the problems in our schools’?

European Social Forum (ESF) Conference Question No: 1422 / 2004 Bob Neill What is the total cost to the GLA and functional bodies of hosting the ESF Conference in London, including policing costs and opportunity costs?

European Social Forum (ESF) Conference Question No: 1423 / 2004 Bob Neill How many GLA Officer hours have been spent on dealing with organising the ESF Conference?

European Social Forum (ESF) Conference Question No: 1424 / 2004 Bob Neill What was the cost of hiring the Dome to provide accommodation for ESF delegates. How much of this total cost was covered by the £10 charged per person staying there?

European Social Forum Question No: 1425 / 2004 Bob Neill Will you be providing free travelcards to delegates of future conferences held in London or is ESF a special case? If you think it is a special case, please explain why.

Mayor’s Management Board Question No: 1426 / 2004 Bob Neill On 20th September you state that you attended the MMB dinner, is this the Mayor’s Management Board? If yes, when was the last time the Mayor’s Management Board met for a formal meeting?

27 Meeting with Bob Crow and John Moss Question No: 1427 / 2004 Bob Neill What was discussed at your meeting on 21st September with Bob Crow and John Moss?

Signal Failures Question No: 1428 / 2004 Brian Coleman How many signal failures were there on the Northern line in September 2004 ?

Royal Free Hospital Question No: 1429 / 2004 Brian Coleman As both he and I have recently visited the excellent Royal Free Hospital Maternity Unit ( for different reasons ) will the Mayor join me in welcoming the decision not to withdraw consultant cover at the Royal Free Maternity Unit and we he maintain his vigilance to ensure any future proposals enhance the work of this unit that serves so many of my constituents ?

Mobile Phone Mast at Hampstead Tube Station Question No: 1430 / 2004 Brian Coleman Will the Mayor instruct TfL not to allow a mobile phone mast to be erected on Hampstead Tube Station ?

465 Bus Question No: 1431 / 2004 Tony Arbour As the 465 Bus from Fulwell to Dorking is a success across the Greater London Boundary. Could the Mayor explain what are the arrangements including financial figures of the agreement between Transport For London, Surrey County Council and the bus company? Also could these be extended elsewhere to enable better cross border links?

Buses to Hospitals from Hounslow Question No: 1432 / 2004 Tony Arbour As the Mayor will know many residents of Hounslow do not have access to a cars and find getting to a hospital difficult. Will the Mayor join with me and support Hounslow Borough Council’s efforts with Transport For London in getting a review of the gaps in provision including re-routing the 116 and 117 buses?

Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust Consultation Question No: 1433 / 2004 Tony Arbour Has the Mayor been included in the consultation by St Helier & Epsom Hospital Trust and the two relevant PCT¿s about the future of local hospital services as it has major planning implications with the possible building on either Greenbelt or Metropolitan Open Space?

28 City Hall Foyer Question No: 1434 / 2004 Tony Arbour Who is responsible for deciding which exhibitions are allowed in the City Hall Foyer and what criteria are used to make such a decision?

Night Flights Consultation Question No: 1435 / 2004 Tony Arbour As Richmond Borough Council has found that the Department of Transport’s July’s Consultation Paper ignores the Government’s own research, will the Mayor support the London Borough of Richmond in its efforts to challenge the Department of Transport over flaws in the July Consultation Paper on Night Flights?

Stratford City Affordable Housing Question No: 1436 / 2004 Tony Arbour As the Mayor has found that to make the Stratford City development viable only 30% Affordable Housing is practical for the scheme to go ahead. Would he agree that this should be applied to all other major schemes in the Capital?

London Open House Question No: 1437 / 2004 Tony Arbour With the London Open House weekend having been a great success including 7,000 people touring City Hall. Will the Mayor join with me in congratulating the volunteers involved, and outline the GLA’s involvement and what efforts can be made to promote this event in future to a wider audience?

Glass Buildings Question No: 1438 / 2004 Tony Arbour After City Hall was evacuated due to the damage to a very small amount of the glass cladding. Will the Mayor reconsider his support for mainly glass very tall buildings in future and what guidance on safety issues he includes in his Planning Guidance?

Malden Russett Crossroads Question No: 1439 / 2004 Tony Arbour Could the Mayor provide the latest traffic study figures for this junction, which is both very dangerous and is showing rapid growth due to the building on the Epsom Cluster Group of Hospitals Sites?

29 Teacher shortages Question No: 1440 / 2004 Tony Arbour In the research findings of ‘The educational experiences and achievements of black boys in London Schools 2000-2003’ by the LDA’s Education Commission, the relative lack of achievement of black boys is put down to ‘low teacher expectations’ and ‘racism in varying forms in school’. Does the Mayor believe such statements will help or hinder the low level of teacher recruitment and retention in London’s schools?

Teacher recruitment Question No: 1441 / 2004 Tony Arbour In the foreword to the research findings of ‘The educational experiences and achievements of black boys in London Schools 2000-2003’ by the London Development Agency’s Education Commission, you write that ‘A major effort will be necessary to address this gross under- representation of London¿’ communities in the teaching profession.’ Is the Mayor proposing a recruitment system based on quotas rather than ability?

Supplementary schools Question No: 1442 / 2004 Tony Arbour The phrase ‘supplementary schools’ is mentioned several times in the research findings of ‘The educational experiences and achievements of black boys in London Schools 2000-2003’ by the London Development Agency’s Education Commission. Can the Mayor tell me what he understands by this term?

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