Transport News December 2009
A hole new world
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Utility companies will need a permit before digging up Hackney’s roads from 11 January 2010, after the Government approved a TfL scheme. The aim is to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow across London, as it will allow TfL and local councils to plan and co-ordinate the timing of roadworks. |
It could prove to be a key measure for reducing the disruption to road users caused by the 300,000 holes dug in London’s roads by utilities companies every year.
Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“This scheme has the potential to make a big difference to Hackney’s road users. It will hopefully cut the inconveniences caused by badly timed road works and allow the Council to set conditions for companies to help minimise disruption.”
Action will be taken against utility companies which do not meet the conditions of their permit.
14 December 2009
No traffic in Hillman Street
Hillman Street is closed to traffic until 15 January to allow for construction work to be completed to the new Hackney Service Centre.
The road behind Hackney Town Hall will still be open to pedestrians who can access Council offices at 2 Hillman Street via the normal entrance.
Temporary arrangements have been made for authorised users to access the Town Hall car park from Wilton Way.
For info call: 020 8356 3000 or email: info@hackney.gov.uk
Making it count
Young people have taken part in workshops to help them influence how the Council communicates with local children and teenagers.
The free half-term workshops focused on media and entertainment techniques, which participants analysed to identify the best tools to produce road safety messages that would hit home with young people.
Drama, social networking, radio presentation, music and script writing sessions were all popular ideas. The workshops were held at Abbot Street Studios, E8, organised by the Council’s Road Safety Team, and funded by Transport for London in partnership with the African Caribbean Development Foundation, Abbott Street Studios and Dbiz8.
Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “I’m delighted so many young people took up the opportunity to participate in the workshops. Their ideas will help us improve how we communicate and make our messages count with young residents in the borough.”
More information
Visit the Road Safety page.
30 November 2009
Safer street party
Residents celebrated the unveiling of their re-designed street with a candle-lit party on 14 November.
Clapton Terrace has been given a revamp as part of a pilot scheme to make roads safer, cleaner and more people-friendly.
The DIY Streets project, led by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, offered residents a chance to get involved. They voted for a speed table to slow traffic; communal bins to replace wheelie bins; and more trees to be planted.
The improvements follow two years of meetings led by Sustrans, and were supported and funded by the Council, Transport for London and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. Lynn Altass, co-chair of the Clapton Terrace Residents Association, said: “There is a real sense of optimism among all residents and we are delighted to see such improvements made to the safety and overall look of our street.”
For info visit: www.sustrans.org.uk
30 November 2009
Top award for STA Bikes
A pioneering scheme that introduced cycling to three Hackney estates has triumphed at the annual London Cycling Awards.
An STA Bikes project was named as the Best Community Cycling Initiative on 17 November.
Bikes On Estates focused on three estates where cycling was not a popular activity and set out to encourage specific target groups to take it up.
One offered mothers and daughters cycle training, as well as installing cycle parking and providing loans to buy bikes. Another project for young people concentrated on safety skills and bike repair. The third project responded to a concern that some young people could be recruited into gangs and offered them regular bike maintenance sessions at an adventure playground. For more info visit: www.stabikes.org.uk
30 November 2009
Oyster spreads
Passengers will be able to use pay-as-you-go Oyster cards on all national rail services in Greater London in the New Year.
From 2 January 2010, stations currently accepting travelcards within zones 1-9 will also accept top-up cards to streamline the switch between the various public transport services in the Capital.
The move came when an agreement between Transport for London (TfL) and train operating companies – including National Express – was made to extend the pay-as-you-go operational area.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said the change would benefit thousands of passengers across East London. For info visit: www.oyster.tfl.gov.uk
30 November 2009
More trains through Hackney
More trains will be running through Clapton and Hackney Downs stations on Sunday evenings from December.
Clapton will have four trains per hour in each direction for the entire day, doubling the evening service.
Hackney Downs will benefit most, with an extra 20 Sunday evening trains from Liverpool Street – 10 for all stations to Chingford via Walthamstow Central including Clapton, and 10 for Seven Sisters and then either Enfield Town or Hertford East. In the opposite direction, Hackney Downs will have an extra 17 trains to Liverpool Street.
For info visit: www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com
30 November 2009
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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