Transport News September 2009
Ozcan on the buses
Four Hackney women are celebrating after completing training to become bus drivers on the Olympic Park.
Shacklewell's Linda Crawford, 50, Alix Wondjade, 39, from Hackney Downs, Nadine Allen from Dalston, 31, and Arzu Ozcan, 33, of London Fields picked up their bus driver certificates from Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) chairman, John Armitt, following a tour around the Olympic Park with family and friends on 7 September.
They will now undertake on-the-job placements to prepare for work on the Olympic Park next spring.
The training is part of the London 2012 Women’s Project to place 50 local ladies in hands-on roles in the Park every year up to its completion in 2011. The ODA has been working with social enterprise Hackney Community Transport to train women to become bus drivers.
Arzu Ozcan said: “As a single mother who was unemployed for a very long time, living on benefits, I’m thrilled to be working and cant wait to start on the Olympic Park. I now feel very confident, happier and stronger and my 12-year-old son is very proud of me, he shows off to his friends that his mum is working as a bus driver."
More information
Women interested in coming to a bus industry careers open day on 3 October can call: 020 7275 2431/51.
21 September 2009
The outer limits
Two colourful designs by Hackney artists are on display in the London Transport Museum after being submitting for a poster competition.
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Kate Dawkins’ piece ‘the Famous Hackney Marshes’ and artist duo Nicola and Tim’s ‘Habitat of the Party Animal’ are part of a poster display called ‘The Outer Limits – Beyond Zone One’, which celebrates life in the capital and destinations lying beyond central London.
The two Hackney entries are part of an exhibition of 20 posters by artists from around London that runs until 9 October at London Transport Museum in Covent Garden Piazza.
For info visit: www.ltmuseum. co.uk or call 020 7565 7298.
21 September 2009
Stepping out
Put on your best foot forward for Hackney Autumn Ambles weekend on 26 and 27 September – with two free walks organised by Walk London.
Both events are part of a ‘Walking towards the Games’ series, which cover areas where events for the 2012 Games will take place. The first route from Stoke Newington to Hackney Wick is four miles with the meeting point Stoke Newington Rail Station at 2pm. It takes in Walthamstow and Hackney Marshes. The second walk, from Stoke Newington to Mile End, meets at Stoke Newington Station at 11am and will pass through Hackney Downs and Victoria Park.
For info call: 020 7364 3780; email: maike.neuhaus@ramblers.org.uk; or visit: www.walklondon.org.uk.
21 September 2009
Keep a look out
A new advertising campaign is urging Hackney’s drivers to ‘give motorcyclists a second thought’ and help cut the number killed or injured on our roads.
The Transport for London safety campaign warns road users of the optical effect caused by the way the brain assesses approaching objects that can lead to collisions.
Drivers can underestimate the time that small vehicles take to reach them causing risk of collision when pulling out in front of approaching motorcycles.
Created by renowned designer Peter Saville, the ads will be shown in cinemas and on TV for eight weeks.
Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“This is an important campaign which serves as a valuable reminder for drivers in the borough to look out for motorcyclists in all situations.”
21 September 2009
Million pound investment
Stoke Newington Church Street is getting a million-pound investment to improve the roads and pavements.
Residents were asked their views in July and the majority of responses were in favour of a major makeover.
The improvements include reducing the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph, adding new paving between Albion Road and the A10, new road surfacing between Albion Road and Wilmer Place and installing speed humps on the entrances to some of the side roads.
Also, eight new trees will be planted, 11 new cycle stands created and there will be a tidy up of street clutter such as bollards, guard railings and signs.
The works started on 14 September and will take three to four months to complete. During the works there will be a one way system in operation from Wilmer Place to Albion Road.
For more info, call: 020 8356 2897.
21 September 2009
Electric car charging
Residents are being urged to give their views on plans to install electric vehicle charging points in Hackney.
The Council is submitting a bid to TfL to fund the installation of charging points for electric vehicles that give out fewer air emissions and have cheaper fuel per mile running costs than regular cars and vans.
TfL particularly wants to hear from people that already have electric vehicles, or are considering swapping their current petrol/diesel engine vehicle for an electric one.
The aim is to get an idea of where charging points should be located in the borough and the type of car parks that charging points should be sited in.
The deadline for responses is 28 September. For further information call Ben Kennedy on: 020 8356 8023.
07 September 2009
Street Party
There was a right old knees-up in John Campbell Road as residents celebrated the completion of a project to improve their street.
People of all ages welcomed the work that included using reclaimed paving, planting new trees and creating cycle parking.
Community spirit was out in force as adults swapped stories among the children playing street games, and all to the backdrop of live music.
Representatives from local businesses – including Rio Cinema and Stone Cave restaurant – also turned up to join the activities.
The improvements were carried out as part of the Council’s Streets for People scheme and aim to create a new, high-quality environment using natural, reclaimed materials that are sustainable and in keeping with the existing character of the street.
They were completed with funding from Transport for London’s Area Base Scheme programme to improve the streets around Gillett Square.
The improvements are at the forefront of the redevelopment of Dalston and include a completed scheme along Kingsland Passage and proposed works along Bradbury Street, Boleyn Road and the Crossway/Mildmay junction.
Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“The Council is committed to improving the lives of its residents, businesses and visitors. With support from everyone involved, this streets improvement scheme has been a great success, helping to make the area a more attractive place for people to visit.”
07 September 2009
Car park to celebrate green travel
A car park in Haggerston is set to go green for a day to promote and celebrate eco-friendly modes of travel.
As part of European Mobility Week, residents are invited to the Whiston and Goldsmiths Estate on 19 September when the car park will become ‘Green for a Day’ and hold free bike check ups, film, music and gardening demonstrations.
Estate residents, along with the Council and Hackney Homes, have been working with two young architects from TICArchitecture who are behind the concept.
European Mobility Week is dedicated to environmentally-friendly ways to travel and is celebrated in cities all around Europe.
Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“The Council is committed to green travel and wants to support and encourage all those who live, work and study in Hackney to move greener. This event will showcase a range of green activities to demonstrate how everyone can do their bit to help make the borough a greener, cleaner place.”
More information
Please visit the Movegreener page.
07 September 2009
Mystery shoppers needed
Transport for London (TfL) is asking for volunteers with disabilities that are not immediately obvious to help trial a new Travel Support Card.
The card can be shown to staff and other passengers in situations where a passenger with disabilities such as autism requires additional support and assistance on public transport in the capital.
Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“This card is a great idea and will be a huge benefit to our residents with hidden disabilities by giving them more confidence when using public transport. I urge those residents to get involved and volunteer to help TfL with its trials.”
TfL are working with disability charities, but more volunteers are needed. Anyone who would like to take part should call Kathryn Lyon at TfL on: 020 7027 8340.
07 September 2009
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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