TfL boss to join MP Hughes' checking out overcrowded buses in Bermondsey

4.03.27pm GMT Thu 4th Feb 2010

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat member of parliament for North Southwark and Bermondsey, met at the House of Commons this week with top Transport for London bosses to raise major issues of concern to his constituents and other travellers in Southwark. Issues discussed included the reopening of the East London Line, the present and future disruption on the Jubilee and Northern Lines, the closures of the Rotherhithe tunnel, overcrowding on the buses, the lack of a countdown indicator at local bus stops, the bus lane along Jamaica Road, the unfriendly attitudes of some bus drivers, dangerous potholes on main roads and the plans for the roundabouts at the Elephant and Castle.

The team of TfL bosses attending the meeting with a group of London Liberal Democrat MPs included Peter Hendy, London's transport commissioner and Richard Parry, head of the London Underground, and David Brown, head of surface transport which includes roads and buses.

As a result of many complaints from local residents of overcrowding on local buses and from Mr Hughes' own experience, particularly on the C10 and 381, Mr Brown will now join Simon Hughes to see conditions for himself and talk to passengers.

On other issues:

• TfL confirmed that the East London Line will be fully opened no later than May 23rd this year, but the local stations may open earlier after the core part of the line is ready

• There is no promise of an immediate end to planned engineering works at weekends on the Jubilee Line although they are now expected to be finally finished by October.

• There is a severe risk of regular disruption over bank and public holidays and at weekends on the Northern Line from now until early 2012

• There is no safety cause for concern about the Rotherhithe tunnel after recent closures for emergency repairs to the roof

• Simon Hughes will produce an up to date report to TfL on routes other than the C10 and the 381 where he receives regular complaints of overcrowding

• TfL are planning to move some countdown indicators to different stops where they are currently at a place where bus services are very frequent, but there is a fixed maximum limit of bus stops which can currently be served by the countdown timers

• TfL will look again at Mr Hughes' request for the bus lane on Jamaica Road to be changed from an all day bus lane to a peak hour bus lane to reduce congestion and delay

• TfL reassured Simon Hughes that all dangerous potholes on the borough's TfL roads - made worse by very cold weather - will be repaired urgently. The website to visit to report potholes on TfL roads is http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/reportastreetfault/newfault.aspx (on all other roads that are the responsibility of the borough the number to call is 020 7525 2000 or email environment@southwark.gov.uk. )

• Mr Hendy promised that TfL were working hard to improve standards of customer service from all their drivers and members of staff

Simon Hughes said:

"As always I was impressed by the competence and commitment of Peter Hendy and the senior management of Transport for London.

"It is great news that the new and extended East London Line will be fully open this spring. I have always been a supporter of the plans for the extension and am delighted that the inconvenience suffered by so many through this lines closure will soon be over.

"The problems on the Jubilee Line and the threatened problems on the Northern Line are not the fault of TfL but the failure of the Labour government who forced the public private partnership (PPP) on London Underground. I made clear that as a part of London with four Jubilee Line stations and four Northern Line station people in North Southwark and Bermondsey will expect London Underground to make sure that there are no closures on local Jubilee and Northern Line stations at the same time.

"I am pleased to hear that there are no fundamental problems or risks in the Rotherhithe Tunnel.

"I am also grateful that TfL have promised me that any dangerous potholes on their roads will be repaired immediately. Whether you are a cyclist or a driver, potholes can be dangerous to the road user. I encourage everybody who uses our boroughs' roads to use the phone numbers to TfL or Southwark Council whenever they see a pothole in urgent need of repair"