Latest news from Tony Arbour GLA

Tony ARBOUR

Assembly Member for

South West London

   E-Newsletter – Autumn 2011

We were fortunate in Hounslow, Kingston and Richmond that there was none of the rioting which affected our near neighbours.  This was no accident, every officer who could wear a uniform, from special constable to detective inspector, was on duty on the streets.  Police attributed their mass public presence deterred prospective rioters.  This event gives strength to my campaign for police officers to wear their uniform whilst on their way to and from work.

I welcome the new police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe who brings to London from Manchester a reputation for robust, no nonsense policing which I hope will reduce crime here in the Capital.Countdown

  Transport for London (TfL) are introducing a new and improved Countdown system for all of London’s bus stops via text message and internet.   A new generation of countdown signs will also be provided at key bus stops.

The new Countdown signs will provide real-time information at 2,500 key bus stops in London.  Using the latest technology to ensure easy readability, the signs will also comply with disability guidelines on electronic signage.

As well as predicting bus arrival times, they will display service updates, disruption information and network-wide messages.

TfL are also investigating bus stop-specific audio options to help blind people and partially sighted people find their way around the network independently.

The roll out of the new signs began this year and will be completed by 2012.  For further information go to http://www.tfl.gov.uk.

Disruptive Roadworks

Boris Johnson has recently announced a new online reporting tool that will allow Londoners to help spot, report and prevent unruly roadworks. 

 CCTV operators and traffic community police will use these reports to take immediate action.  Boroughs are urged to introduce similar innovative measures and work with TfL to help reduce disruptive and unnecessary works in London.  It is hoped this will be operating from Spring 2012.

Royal Parks

The Royal parks Agency which is responsible for Bushy and Richmond Park is to be advised by a board which for the first time will have members who have been bureaucratically elected including the Mayor as Chairman and three council leaders.

London in Bloom

Congratulations to Richmond upon Thames for winning Gold in the recent London in Bloom competition.  Other winners were:  Terrace Garden, Richmond, York House Gardens, Twickenham, Twickenham Town Centre, Manor Road Allotments, Ham Common and Eel Pie Pub, Twickenham

Olympics Test Race

 Last month saw the Olympic test race come to Richmond and Kingston.

 Over enthusiastic stewards kept roads closed for most of the day.  I am urging  that when the actual event takes place road closures will be lifted as soon as the riders have gone past.

Changing Station Zones

 I have called for Surbiton and Kingston stations to be moved from transport Zone 6 into Zone 5, which could save commuters travelling from these stations hundreds of pounds a year. I believe these stations are in the wrong zone considering there are 23 stations in Zone 5 that are further out of central London than either Kingston or Surbiton stations.  As a result, commuters into Zone 1 from these stations in Zone 6 have to pay £2,016 per year for an annual season ticket, which is £136 more than the Zone 1– 5 season ticket. These stations should be rezoned.

Mayor Boris Johnson said “I am more than happy to join you in making this point ( to the government)”.

Tony Arbour’s Advice Surgeries

Do you have an issue or a problem that you would like to talk to Tony about?

First Saturday of every month:

From 3.00-4pm in

Feltham Library

The Centre,

High Street

Feltham, TW13 4GU

and

From 4.30-5.30pm in

Heston Community Sports Hall,

Heston Road,

Middlesex TW5 0QZ

First Wednesday of every month:

From 5.00-6.00pm in

Hampton Wick Library

Bennet Close,
Hampton Wick,

Richmond KT1 4AT

Third Saturday of every month:

From 10.30-11.30pm in Chiswick Library,

Duke’s Avenue

Hounslow W4 2AB

Alternatively you can write to Tony at:

City Hall,

The Queen’s Walk

London SE1 2AA

or telephone him on:

0207 983 4116

Get In Touch – whether you’ve got something you want raised with the Mayor, or a view on how to improve  services in London under the Mayor’s responsibilities – Tony would be happy to hear from you.

How to contact Tony: Email: tony.arbour@london.gov.uk    Tel: 0207 983 4116   Address: Greater London Authority, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, More London, London SE1 2AA