Update:
At the most recent Transport Liaison Committee, Abellio agreed to do some speed gun checks of the buses on Avignon Road to which Cllrs and Adam Wilkinson would be invited, could you please provide provisional dates for this, and an indication of whether this would be possible to do on Jerningham Road as well?
These photos we received from a resident, where you can see multiple buses parked up across from their house (engines on in one photo) and blocking access to the school, parked across the driveway.
Further to recent communications regarding the issues which residents highlighted via the 343 proposed increased frequency consultation, please find below information from both TfL and Alison Beck, Lewisham Council, which has been disseminated to residents. I am sure you are aware of some, if not all, of this information, however this is to clarify the current position:
"I have now received responses from both TfL and Lewisham Council regarding the issues of the 343 bus route and the surface condition of Jerningham Road and surrounding roads. Please note that the Council's response was sent at the end of March, therefore when they refer to the next financial year this will be 2010/11, meaning that the works they refer to will start in 2-3 months time.
The Council's Transport Division confirmed "that the sections of Jerningham Road and Pepys Road between Musgrove Road and Arbuthnot Road will be completely reconstructed next financial year. We are hopeful that the work can be programmed in May / June. We also plan a number of patch repairs in other sections of both of these roads that have suffered degradation over the winter, as a result of the severe weather.
We are aware of issues relating to the speed of the buses and to the conduct of some of the drivers and we have raised, and will continue to raise these with TfL buses and urge them to impress on the bus operator the importance of adhering to the 20mph speed limit, of drivers turning off their engines where practicable when they are on stand and of eliminating other behaviours which are causing concern to residents."
TfL today informed me that they have written to residents living on/near Jerningham Road in response to the issues they raised with the 343 as follows:
"Poor driver behaviour will not be tolerated by the bus operating company or TfL and I can assure residents that TfL are working with the current operating company to ensure drivers behave to the required standards at all times. Steps that have been taken to improve the situation at the stand are;
· Supervision by the operating company staff at the stand
· Increased inspections by TfL staff of the stand during the day and night
· Radio messages to drivers reminding them to turn engines off at the stand
· Notices to drivers reminding them of the expectations whilst on the stand
· Regular performance meeting between TfL and the operating company to address the situation
· Speed camera checks along Jerningham Road
Any driver that has failed to meet the required standard set by TfL and the operating company has been formally dealt with through the companies own internal performance procedures
We will continue to work with the current operating company, to ensure that our high standards are met at all times and by all drivers on the stand conform to the correct procedures. We would welcome any reports of drivers that are failing to meet these standards so that they can be identified and dealt with accordingly.
I received a request from the Telegraph Hill society to be placed on our stakeholder database. I have added the society on so future local consultation materials should be received in due course.
Comments were received about damage to your property caused by the buses operating along Jerningham Road. But all reliable evidence does not support your view. Buildings can be subject to vibration from a number of different sources. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has two publications that investigate the issue of structural damage to buildings resulting from ground-borne vibration. The earlier report states that ‘no case has been found where damage, even of a minor nature, could clearly be attributable to vibration effect alone’. In summary, these reports conclusively indicate that damage to buildings resulting from traffic induced vibration is extremely unlikely.
TfL has complied with all statutory procedures to introduce buses on this route, and will continue to monitor the situation if there are any further problems."
I also understand that TfL have committed to writing to you again once a new contract has been awarded to operate the 343.
You will note that TfL refer to BRE reports which investigate the issue of structural damage to buildings resulting from ground-borne vibration. Please be aware that I have asked TfL to clarify whether any of these investigations considered roads with potholes and/or speed bumps where larger vehicles utilised the roads.
I trust that the commitments from both TfL and the Council serve to address most of the concerns raised, however should any of these measures appear to be failing, please do not hesitate to contact me."
Since this information was distributed on 31.03.10, I have been in contact with Lorna Murphy, Abellio, who has reiterated her continued involvement in managing these issues. Ms Beck has weekly contact with residents who live opposite the bus stand and she has offered to attend further residents' meetings to address their concerns.
I have also been in contact with with the Police Community Safety Team to elicit the results of a covert two-week speeding traffic exercise in the area, as well as to discuss anti-social behaviour concerns raised by a number of residents. To date, whilst I have received an acknowledgement, I have not been furnished with a comprehensive response.
Furthermore, additional information received from Lewisham Council today highlights that the Council and Abellio are working together to tackle the concerns of residents, including carrying out speed monitoring, and this identified that speeding "is not that common". It has been noted that there has been fewer complaints of late and the Council has committed to the road improvements previously mentioned. The note also refers to attempts to re-locate the bus stand, however it is not possible to terminate at the bus garage in New Cross as this is managed by a different bus company and attempts to identify an alternative stand have not been successful. Abellio have visibly increased their supervisory staff along the route to influence driver behaviour.
RSS Feed![[Valid RSS]](/files/theme/valid-rss-rogers.png "Validate my RSS feed")
