18 July (Part 2) - The Transport Users’ Sub-Committee : Railway matters
In my opinion, the Transport Users’ Sub-Committee is the most important meeting in the Civic calendar because it is the only one
relevant to every single resident and worker in Bexley, except perhaps the
bedbound. As anyone who has tried to move around Bexley - and Bromley for that
matter - in recent days and months, the borough is frequently gridlocked by the
long term antics of the million pound a year CEO of Thames Water. There is
currently no service on part of bus route 96 and the SL3’s current diversionary path to Bromley North
is great fun to say the very least. And it is all down to Thames Water.
For the past four years Councillor Cameron Smith has done a great job Chairing a relaxed but effective
Sub-Committee and with Councillor Steven Hall
(Conservative, East Wickham) being the most likely to be elected as the new Chairman I was initially
apprehensive that things might not be quite the same in future. Then I
remembered that many years ago when Mick Barnbrook and I were seen as agitators
to be reported to the police and subjected to entirely false Press Releases, it
was Steven who would always have a friendly word as we entered the Lion’s Den.
Under
Steven Hall, the Transport Users’ meeting was an even friendlier place than
before. Jeremy Fosten (Labour, Belvedere) has replaced Sally Hinkley, Frazer Brooks
(Conservative, Blackfen & Lamorbey) has taken over from John Davey, so presumably
his “pointless” SL3 stop outside Wetherspoon’s is safe now
but the everlasting June Slaughter (Conservative, Sidcup) remains to maintain some continuity.
Reform Leader Sean Brackstone (Northumberland Heath) was supposed to be there but didn’t show up, nor
did he send an apology for his absence or field the agreed substitute Member.
It transpired next day that he would rather spend £100 on the entrance fee to
CPAC than speak up for Bexley residents and I imagine that Council Leader
David Leaf has already made an entry in his next Manifesto notebook under the
heading, ‘A Reform UK Vote is a Wasted Vote’.
Having checked the CPAC Agenda and guest list I can well understand Sean being keen to be there
but an unannounced disappearing act is no way to treat the people of Bexley.
Anyway, down to the Agenda.
The first item as always was Railways (Southeastern and Network Rail only, Thameslink does not show any interest in
customer support) and interesting as Southeastern’s representative’s presentation was I don’t think we learned a lot that is new.
90% of trains are no more than three minutes late. Fewer than 2% of trains are cancelled.
Frazer Brooks said he always seemed to be held up at Lewisham and was given the
usual excuse about worn out signalling systems. The same system which has
supposedly had millions spent on it already. (Network Rail claimed It was almost finished 18 months ago.)
All the track (1,800 metres) between Waterloo East and Charing Cross is to be replaced in a
week or so’s time. (Total closure from 26th July to 16th August).
Jeremy asked about the fact that wheelchair users cannot cross from one platform
to another at Belvedere and complained about Thameslink’s lack of interest in
the Committee. Unfortunately accessibility Improvements at Belvedere will be “pretty far into the future”.
When the Class 376s are eventually replaced they will be air-conditioned for
temperatures up to 45° but no contract for new trains has yet been placed. Frazer remarked
on the fact that not only do trains not always have toilets but reported that in his experience,
all station toilets are closed by early evening. He understood the vandalism
issues but staff will not even allow a special request by the desperate. This he knows stops some
people from travelling and he asked for more “common sense”.
The worst station for crime - by a considerable margin - is Abbey Wood but on
the other hand it is by far the busiest. Very few crimes are solved. About 6%.
Some comment about the British Transport Police was less than flattering.
Bus performance issues were next for discussion. Oh dear!