Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2010 for confirmation.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13^th October were agreed as a correct record subject to inclusion of apologies from Councillor Shillingford.

There were no matters arising.

This is an opportunity for Operators to raise any issues with the Council regarding this subject.

Following a previous item on vandalism at DLR London City Airport, Matthew Hooper, Operations Manager for Partnership Neighbourhood Crime Reduction, informed the Group that the damage was caused by youths throwing objects from outside of the station. The CCTV at the station was not able to capture the youths, only the acts of vandalism. This meant that the youths could not be arrested or prosecuted. Matthew stated that there had been no further incidents, and in response to the incidents the Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT) had been patrolling the area with the British Transport Police (BTP) increase in patrol. The council was investing in mobile CCTV and if required, this could be deployed as necessary.

Matthew stated that the SNT were doing a leaflet drop in the area and the SNT and BTP would continue to monitor the situation, and consider installing a physical barrier.

Decision

Agreed to note.

Performance – July to September 2010

Sharon Moller (DLR) gave an update on the following:

• Stratford International Station DLR service:

Sharon stated that a test train had been running on the new line and following signal and line tests to connect the new section to the current line, DLR were optimistic that if the various milestone were achieved the new line could be open by February 2011.

• Capacity on the Beckton line

Sharon stated that DLR was looking at a 3 carriage service from May 2011, however with increased capacity, there maybe less frequency. There was also discussion to open another entrance at Royal Victoria station, so as to better use space across the carriages.

• Escalators at Custom House station

Sharon also informed the Group that funding for escalators at Custom House station had been agreed by LOCOG and the installation would be complete by November 2011, however this would require 2 weekend closures.

• Boxing Day Service

Sharon informed the Group that the DLR would be running a reduced service with a train every 30 minutes, due to demand. Dominic West, Transportation Service Unit Manager (LBN), asked for the DLR to provide a more frequent service, ensure that there was real time information at platforms about the train times and publish the services. Sharon stated that posters would be going up around stations shortly. 

Councillor Paul queried the original opening date of Stratford International DLR station and what if any financial penalty the delay was incurring. Sharon stated that station had originally been timetable to open in July 2010 and the delay in opening had been in part due to contractors. In relation to any financial penalty, Sharon stated that there was an ongoing arbitration process and any damages would go to Transport for London (TfL).

Dominic wanted to know how passengers would be informed once trains begun arriving at both the high and low platforms. Sharon stated that there would be new signage, live screens with real-time information about the next train and staff on hand to direct passengers.

John Geary discussed the DLR performance update. It was noted that July to September 2010 was the best performance in 2 years with the DLR delivering 97.8% of trains to time.

Decision

Agreed to note.

1. National Express Performance
2. C2C Performance to 13 November

The Group received a performance report on:

·  C2C reliability

·  National Express East Anglia

National Rail representatives were not present at the meeting. Bob Turner reported that the National Express East Anglia was looking at their biggest timetable change in 15 years and this would result in an increase in train frequency and capacity. It was also noted that the service was running 92.26% of its trains on time.

Following a question from members, the Group was informed that there were currently a train every 10 minutes at Manor Park Station.

In relation to the C2C, the service was running at 98% on time and with the signalling upgrade this would increase the number of C2C trains stopping at West Ham station.

Decision

Agreed to note.

• Quality indicators – 26 June to 19 September 2010
• Changes to bus routes

The Group received the London Buses quality of service indicators for the second quarter 2010/11 for the period 26^th June – 17^th September 2010.

Councillor Collier raised issue regarding the 147 and 300 bus routes in the Canning Town area following complaints from residents that buses were blocking roads, unable to get around bends due to parked caand causing rear-end damage to vehicles. Councillor Collier offered to meet with LBN officers, staff from TfL surfaces transport and the London Buses and local residents to discuss the issues.

Dominic West informed the Group that with the current regeneration works that are ongoing it was appropriate to revisit the routes and review whether the current routes were suitable post regeneration. Dominic said that he would speak to John Simpson’s team about this matter.

Councillor Alexander raised the issues regarding buses that service the Gladstone Avenue area, with residents complaining that the buses were keeping people awake due to the noise and causing damage to walls due to vibration. Youssef Cockbaine (TfL) stated that he would speak to the route operators regarding any damage to walls and look into capacity.

Councillor Paul wanted to know if the 158 bus stop at Holden point would be returned to its original position now that the works in the area had been completed. Youssef stated that he would check to see the original position and in line with TfL requirements ensure that the bus stop was no more than 400 meters from the dwelling. There were further comments regarding the temporary bus stop outside the King Edward Pub in Stratford, with Members commenting that there was inconsistency in servicing the temporary bus stop.

Youssef Cockbaine informed the Group that following the comprehensive spending review (CSR), TfL would be required to save £21 million over 5 years however, TfL would maintain both the cycle hire scheme and bus services. The Group was informed that TfL had salt supply and were out gritting whenever the ground temperature went to -1?, and a major campaign focusing on a against un-booked minicabs at night especially during the festive period. 

Youssef advised the Group about proposed changes to routes 8, 25, 55, N8 and N55. On route 25 the bendy bus would be replaced by a double decker bus from June 2011 and some buses will terminate at Holborn reducing frequency on the Holborn to Oxford Street section.

Dominic queried why on Boxing Day, before 8 am, the 25 buses run empty towards Oxford Street, even though most people wanted to go to Oxford Street for the sales? Youssef said he would look into this and report back to Dominic.

Decision

1. Councillor Collier to meet with LBN officers, staff from TfL surfaces transport and the London Buses and local residents to discuss the issues;

2. Dominic to would speak to John Simpson’s team about this matter;

3. YoussefCockbaine (TfL) would speak to the route operators regarding any damage to walls and look into  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Planned services in late 2010/early 2011

The group was informed that significant re-signalling work was being undertaken to the value of £1 million to be completed by May 2011. The work was part of an upgrade to increase capacity on London Overground (LO) services. In order to complete the work there would be extended closures over Christmas and New Year period.

The line would be closed:

• 18 Dec – 24 Dec: Gospel Oak to Stratford line
• 25 Dec: Entire LO network
• 27 Dec -3 Jan: Richmond to Stratford line.

To minimise inconvenience during this time TfL will provide a rail replacement service on the closed section of the network.

Bob Turner informed the Group that he had met with LO regarding the performance statistics as the current statistics were based on when the train arrived at its destination, and not if it arrived at the various stations on time.

In response to a query from Councillor Collier, on local consultation about disruption caused by Cross Rail, the Group was informed that there would be a community engagement event in January 2011 at Docklands.

Decision

Agreed to note.

Performance

Ashok Nanu (London Underground) presented the Group with the performance statistics for London Underground (LU). Ashok informed the Group that there would be work undertaken at East Ham station to service the lifts, with one lift out of service at any one time from Feb 2011 to March 2012.

The Group was also informed of planned weekend closures over the next 6 months. In relation to the Jubilee Line, majority of work was completed on the Stratford end and the Ashok stated that LU had taken action to mitigate closures in during home fixtures at West Ham United Football Club (WHUFC) in Upton Park.

Councillor Shillingford raised question as to the disproportionate number of District Lines in comparison to Hammersmith & City lines heading west. Ashok stated that there was a train scheduled every 10 minutes from Aldgate East and he would confirm the timetable and email Dominic.

In response to question about the Christmas schedule and free travel over New Year, Ashok stated that this was usually coordinated by TfL, to go out in mid December.

Decision

Agreed to note.

• Monday 7 March 2011

It was noted that the next meeting would take place on Monday 7th March 2011.