Saturday, October 15, 2005
Many commuters have been thrown into chaos over the last couple of weeks with the suspension of the Northern Line. This is obviously a huge inconvenience for Tooting constituents – thousands of us use the tube every day to get into Central London.
Safety concerns of tube drivers and passengers are obviously paramount, and most people appreciate why the line has to be closed. However, the provision of replacement bus services has been badly handled. I have been inundated with messages from constituents about the lack of bus service between Oval and Tooting Broadway stations. This particularly affected staff at St George’s who were unable to get into work on Thursday because of the severe delays.
I have been in regular contact with Transport for London about the problems and also written to the Director of Transport for London about this issue. I've requested that the frequency of the 355 and155 bus routes are increased whilst the Northern Line is out of action. Transport for London have increased the number of extra buses taking communters from Tooting Broadway to Wimbledon tube station instead (which is still open and running as it is on the district and circle line).
Next week, I am meeting with Tube Lines – the company that manages the maintenance, upgrade and renewal of the underground. Serious questions need to be asked about the maintenance of the Northern Line as this recent crisis reveals that it has not been going according to plan. I have also tabled some parliamentary questions about how the Department for Transport can assist in resolving the present situation. I will continue to lobby for improvements, as passengers should not have to accept such a poor service on the tube.
Sadiq
Safety concerns of tube drivers and passengers are obviously paramount, and most people appreciate why the line has to be closed. However, the provision of replacement bus services has been badly handled. I have been inundated with messages from constituents about the lack of bus service between Oval and Tooting Broadway stations. This particularly affected staff at St George’s who were unable to get into work on Thursday because of the severe delays.
I have been in regular contact with Transport for London about the problems and also written to the Director of Transport for London about this issue. I've requested that the frequency of the 355 and155 bus routes are increased whilst the Northern Line is out of action. Transport for London have increased the number of extra buses taking communters from Tooting Broadway to Wimbledon tube station instead (which is still open and running as it is on the district and circle line).
Next week, I am meeting with Tube Lines – the company that manages the maintenance, upgrade and renewal of the underground. Serious questions need to be asked about the maintenance of the Northern Line as this recent crisis reveals that it has not been going according to plan. I have also tabled some parliamentary questions about how the Department for Transport can assist in resolving the present situation. I will continue to lobby for improvements, as passengers should not have to accept such a poor service on the tube.
Sadiq
