Examination of Witnesses (Questions 1640
- 1659)
1640. BARONESS FOOKES: And you would
be willing so to do, that is pay for it?
(Mr Berryman) We do not have a lot of choice, my Lady!
1641. MS LIEVEN: As far as our last issue
is concerned if, for instance, we are putting lorries down a street
in Spitalfields, which is well used by bicycles, could part of
the traffic management plan be that we erect alternative signs
for cycle routes to take them away from our lorry routes?
(Mr Berryman) I think that is something that we would need
to agree with the local authority, and of course we would be willing
to do that if it is practical to do so. In that particular area
I cannot recall if there is a designated cycle route there anyway,
but if there was we would certainly be willing to do that.
1642. I was not thinking of any particular cycle
route, it is just that it is an area with which some Members of
the Committee are familiar because we have already been on a site
visit.
(Mr Berryman) Yes. In principle the answer to your question
is yes.
1643. The last question on lorry routes, is
it generally our approach to try to get lorries on to the strategic
road network as quickly as possible away from our sites?
(Mr Berryman) Yes, very much so.
1644. Is that something of assistance to cyclists
in terms of getting lorries out of the less used streets where
there might be more cycling usage?
(Mr Berryman) I am not sure it is more cycle usage but the
less used and narrower streets obviously present more of a hazard
in terms of interaction between different road users, not just
cyclists but also pedestrians as well.
1645. MS LIEVEN: Thank you very much,
Mr Berryman; those are all my questions.
1646. CHAIRMAN: Mr Peck, do you have
any questions?
1647. MR PECK: A few, my Lord.
Cross-examined by MR
PECK
1648. MR PECK: First of all, on the carriage
issues, Mr Berryman, is it not the case that on the deep level
tubes at the moment you can take your bicycle, say, from High
Barnet to East Finchley on the Northern Line?
(Mr Berryman) I believe
that is the case, yes.
1649. Say, for instance, you were carrying your
bicycle on the High Barnet to East Finchley section and you carried
on on that with your bicycle, you could easily get into the tube
network that way; there is no one stopping you at East Finchley
to take your bicycle off if you happen to have it with you at
that time?
(Mr Berryman) Yes, that is right; there
is nobody stopping you. That is a question you would have to put
to London Underground.
1650. In addition to that you will note that
you can already take your bicycle outside of peak hours on all
the sub-surface routes—the District Line, Circle Line, Hammersmith
and City?
(Mr Berryman) Yes, that is correct.
1651. So already you are in the position where
you can take your cycle with you on these sub-surface routes,
which are integrated underground stations, and transfer through
a deep level tube?
(Mr Berryman) To some extent that is true.
Baker Street is a good example because the interchange between
Baker Street sub-surface lines and the tube lines is not an easy
one—you cannot just walk straight through whereas you will
be able to between Crossrail and the Northern Line at Tottenham
Court Road; at that station there will just be a level connection
with a very simple way down to the other line. At Baker Street
you would have to go down an escalator which, even for a cyclist,
carrying a bicycle is not that easy down an escalator.
1652. But it is the case at the moment—and
I speak from personal experience here, I have carried my bicycle
into central London illegally from an external line into central
London and changed on to a deep level tube—you could see
that could occur?
(Mr Berryman) It can occur but, as I am
sure you know and you have just remarked it is very strongly discouraged
by London Underground Limited.
1653. But could it not be the case for TOC-operated
Crossrail also to strongly discourage this practice?
(Mr Berryman) It could be but, as I say,
it is something which will need to be decided nearer the time
involving Transport for London and the TOC. It is something, speaking
purely personally, I cannot see that it would be a disaster if
bicycles were carried but we do have to respect the wishes of
the other transport operators involved.
1654. Why do you think that the system in New
York and Glasgow operate with a flexible provision entirely? There
is no ban at all; why do you think that is?
(Mr Berryman) I have absolutely no idea
at all.
1655. CHAIRMAN: You either know or you
do not know.
(Mr Berryman) I have no idea at all.
1656. MR PECK: Moving on to parking,
I appreciate your comments that Crossrail is not responsible for
carrying out the wishes of us and other people who may want policy
changes, but is it not the case that you are half owned by the
Department of Transport and Transport for London?
(Mr Berryman) Yes, that is correct.
1657. Do you have regular dialogue with them
to discuss their change in policy?
(Mr Berryman) Yes, we do.
1658. Do their policies influence your choice
of design and accommodation of the stations?
(Mr Berryman) Yes, they do, very much so.
1659. Have you had a dialogue with Transport
for London or indeed the Mayor's office since the announcement
in February?
(Mr Berryman) About the increased cycle routes?
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