The Petition of the people of Croydon,
Declares that the slopes at East Croydon station can be an especial challenge for the frail and unwell.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to encourage Network Rail to work to improve accessibility at East Croydon station.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. Andrew Pelling , Official Report, 24 March 2010; Vol. 508, c. 348.]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport, received on Wednesday 31 March 2010:
The six existing ramps at East Croydon station have lengths between 38 metres and 75 metres and gradients of between 1:11 and 1:12. This falls outside the standards set out in the Department’s Code of Practice for accessible station design. Any major work being carried out to the ramps at East Croydon station would have to redress this, or apply to DfT for a dispensation from the Code of Practice.
However, I am advised by Network Rail that there are proposals to provide a new bridge and lifts at East Croydon station using third party land. This would create level stepfree access to and between platforms. Network Rail is working with Croydon Council on this
and has secured funding from the HLOS (High Level Output Specification), with works scheduled to take place by 2014. The plan is currently at outline design stage. I also understand that, for people who have difficulty using the ramps, there is an electric wheelchair available at the station, as well as manual wheelchairs. If passenger assistance is needed, it is recommended to book it in advance using the train operator's customer services. Even if assistance has not been booked, East Croydon station always has staff available on platforms and at the ticket hall, who will be able to provide assistance where practicable.
The Petition of the people of Addington and Forestdale,
Declares that the current highways arrangements at the pinch point at Featherbed Lane pose a danger to pedestrians and other road users and notes that narrow pavements put pedestrians at risk of collision with wider commercial vehicle.s and is concerned that current practice in Croydon on providing road safety measures requires fatalities and injuries before action is taken.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take steps to secure an investment by Croydon Council in improving safety at the Featherbed Lane pinch point that slows traffic for the safety of all road users.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. Andrew Pelling , Official Report, 29 March 2010; Vol. 508, c. 606.]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport, received on Wednesday 31 March 2010:
The Road Traffic Act 1988 placed a duty on local highway authorities to prepare and carry out a programme of measures designed to promote road safety.
All roads in London, except the motorways, are the responsibility of Transport for London (TfL) or the London Boroughs. The relevant highway authority is responsible for studying the occurrence of casualties and taking preventative measures in accordance with their local objectives and the Mayor of London's Transport Strategy.
The Department is keen to see local authorities taking positive action to improve road safety, in the light of local casualty data, conditions and priorities.
The Petition of the people of Croydon,
Declares that the Freedom Pass is essential to the quality of life of many Croydon residents, and that the change in funding of the Freedom Pass may compromise the scheme.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take such steps as are necessary to ensure the scheme continues.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. Andrew Pelling , Official Report, 24 March 2010; Vol. 508, c. 347.]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport, received Thursday 1 April 2010:
I would like to clarify the situation regarding the future of the Freedom Pass as there have been a lot of misleading reports on this subject. There are currently no plans either to withdraw or amend the mandatory England-wide concessionary travel scheme or the mandatory elements of the Freedom Pass scheme.
Since April 2008, the statutory minimum bus concession has provided free off-peak local bus travel anywhere in England to eligible older and disabled people resident in England. The purpose of the concession is to ensure that no older or disabled person resident in England need be prevented from bus travel by cost alone. Local buses are the most commonly used mode of public transport, particularly for older people. Indeed, for many older and disabled people a free local bus service can be a lifeline, providing access to employment, healthcare and other essential services, as well as allowing people to visit family and friends.
The right to free bus travel for older and disabled people is enshrined in Primary Legislation. This includes the Freedom Pass scheme in London, which is operated by London Councils on behalf of the London Boroughs and is the largest and most generous concessionary travel scheme in the country. Some of the scheme’s characteristics are at the discretion of the London Boroughs, and London Councils is able to change these providing there is unanimous agreement amongst the Boroughs and the changes do not contravene the statutory minimum required by legislation. However, as a minimum, the scheme in London must provide free travel on the London Local Transport Network between 9.30am and midnight and the period from midnight to 4.30am on weekdays, and at any time at weekends and on Bank Holidays.
I can assure the hon. Member that the recent redistribution of special grant funding for the additional costs of the England-wide concession does not affect the ability of London Boroughs to fund their obligations for concessionary travel. They will still be left with significantly more funding than the actual burden imposed following the introduction of the extended concession in April 2008.
The Petition of people of New Addington and Croydon,
Declares that the road conditions of Parkway, New Addington has been left in such a poor state of repair that a proper repair needs to take place to the foundations of the road instead of patching repairs
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to secure Croydon Council’s commitment to providing a thorough going long lasting repair of the major potholes in Parkway, New Addington
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. Andrew Pelling , Official Report, 29 March 2010; Vol. 508, c. 604.]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport, received Thursday 1 April 2010:
Maintenance of the highways in New Addington is a matter for Croydon Council, within the direction set by the Mayor’s transport strategy. It has a duty, under section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, to maintain the highways in its charge. The Act does not specify standards to which highways should be maintained; this is a matter for each local highway authority, taking into account local priorities and resources. Local government democratic processes provide opportunities for the public to make their views known to the council.
The Department for Transport encourages local highways authorities to develop Transport Asset Management Plans. These set out an inventory of the assets under the council’s control, the condition they are in, the service levels the council intends the assets to deliver, and their plans to maintain the assets so as to deliver that service. The Department also encourages authorities to adopt the good practice set out in the UK Roads Liaison Group’s code of practice for highways maintenance management, “Well-maintained Highways” (available from www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org). The code is not mandatory, but together with complementary codes on highways structures and street lighting, provides good practice advice across the whole range of maintenance activities.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the 2010 Budget that local authorities in Great Britain would receive £100 million to assist with repairs to their highway network necessitated by this year’s severe winter weather. The London Borough of Croydon will receive £164,000 as part of this. In addition, the council can also apply funding from Transport for London, Revenue Support Grant provision from the Department for Communities and Local Government, and their own resources such as Council Tax or Supported Borrowing, to the maintenance of their highways assets.
The Petition of the people of Croydon,
Declares that the service provided between Croydon and London stations is insufficient to meet demand, with unacceptable levels of overcrowding for hard working commuters and late night travellers.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to increase rail capacity to Croydon.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. Andrew Pelling , Official Report, 24 March 2010; Vol. 508, c. 348.]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport, received on Wednesday 31 March 2010:
It is certainly true that the rail routes between Croydon and London are busy and popular.
A number of initiatives are in hand to provide additional capacity on these routes:
1. On 23 May 2010, Transport for London’s East London Line extension will open, which will provide four trains per hour all day every day (except Sunday mornings) between West Croydon and Dalston Junction with interchanges with Underground lines at Whitechapel and Canada Water.
2. The Southern Train Operating Company is committed in its Franchise Agreement to increase the lengths of peak trains, in a number of stages, during the course of its franchise. These include, for example, the lengthening of peak East Grinstead trains from 8 to 12 cars by December 2011. This will provide considerable additional capacity for commuters travelling between East Croydon and both London Victoria and London Bridge in peak hours.
3. New rolling stock for the Thameslink route is being procured by Government. Many of these trains, when they are delivered in 2014 and 2015, will be of 12-car formation, replacing the 4 and 8-car trains at present in use on the Thameslink route between East Croydon and St. Pancras International and beyond.
The Petition of residents in Staffordshire regarding the failure of the Highways Agency to have provided the promised and effective soundproof fencing along the A50 running next to their properties,
Declares that the petitioners recognise the Highways Agency promised effective soundproof fencing along the A50, that the Agency’s plans for fencing was either not erected or where it was erected made little or no difference, that this has left a constant noise so that it is no longer possible to sit out in their gardens, or sleep in bedrooms closest to the A50, and which has left many with a poor quality of life.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Transport to do all in his power to ensure that the Highways Agency deliver the promised soundproof fencing which runs along the Blythe Bridge area of the A50.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. William Cash , Official Report, 24 March 2010; Vol. 508, c. 346.]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport, received Thursday 1 April 2010:
The Secretary of State acknowledges the concerns of the petitioners.
A meeting was held on 14 December 2009 with local residents, representatives from the Highways Agency and the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) to discuss the recently replaced noise fence on the A50 at Blythe Bridge and the overall concerns by residents about noise. At the meeting it was agreed that the Highways Agency would review the effectiveness of the fence and other noise-related matters and report back their findings. The Highways Agency is now in the process of finalising this report.
The Petition of people of Shirley, Croydon,
Declares that traffic on Orchard Avenue speeds and is dangerous to all road users
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take steps to secure support from the relevant authorities for the introduction of road safety and road calming measures
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. Andrew Pelling , Official Report, 29 March 2010; Vol. 508, c. 604.]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport, received on Wednesday 31 March 2010:
The Road Traffic Act 1988 placed a duty on local highway authorities to prepare and carry out a programme of measures designed to promote road safety.
All roads in London, except the motorways, are the responsibility of Transport for London (TfL) or the London Boroughs. The relevant highway authority is responsible for studying the occurrence of casualties and taking preventative measures in accordance with their local objectives and the Mayor of London's Transport Strategy.
The Department is keen to see local authorities taking positive action to improve road safety, in the light of local casualty data, conditions and priorities.
The Petition of People of Shirley, Croydon,
Declares that traffic on The Glade speeds and is dangerous to all road users
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take steps to secure
support from the relevant authorities for the introduction of road safety and road calming measures
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. Andrew Pelling , Official Report, 29 March 2010; Vol. 508, c. 604.]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport, received on Wednesday 31 March 2010:
The Road Traffic Act 1988 placed a duty on local highway authorities to prepare and carry out a programme of measures designed to promote road safety.
All roads in London, except the motorways, are the responsibility of Transport for London (TfL) or the London Boroughs. The relevant highway authority is responsible for studying the occurrence of casualties and taking preventative measures in accordance with their local objectives and the Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy.
The Department is keen to see local authorities taking positive action to improve road safety, in the light of local casualty data, conditions and priorities.