CAMPAIGN FOR BETTER BUS SERVICES

Within the Erith & Thamesmead constituency, the following bus routes are to be retendered:

May 2008 - 177
Dec 2008 - 51
Jan 2009 - 96, 99, 229, 244, 401, 422, 428, 469, 472, 601, 602, B11, B12
Sept 2009 - 380 & 669
Jan 2010 - 89 & N89

John Austin has been seeking the views of constituents and has made the following submission to TfL for improvements in services.

SUBMISSION TO TRANSPORT FOR LONDON
From John Austin, MP for Erith & Thamesmead
September 2007

Route 51 – I have received comments from constituents regarding overcrowding in the morning peak period travelling towards Orpington and in the evening peak travelling towards Woolwich. I understand that bunching of services occur in these peaks as early as 6.50am, which I presume cannot be attributed to traffic problems due to the early hour. I have also received complaints regarding excessive early turning of Orpington bound services at Foots Cray particularly at weekends and the inconvenience that this causes to passengers. I would therefore ask that consideration be given to increasing the capacity of the service in peak periods and that further monitoring be undertaken to understand the reasons why bunching and early turning are occurring.

Route 96 – I have received comments regarding capacity issues on the route between Bexleyheath and Crayford town centres. I am aware that TfL have recently considered Bexley Council’s request to extend route 486 from Bexleyheath to Crayford town centres to ease capacity on the Crayford to Welling corridor and to introduce direct links from Crayford to the QE Hospital, Charlton Athletic Football Club and North Greenwich underground station. I understand that it was suggested that this extension could travel via Gravel Hill and Bourne Road, so as to supply a direct service to Bourne Road which currently has no bus route.

I understand that TfL have considered this request and decided that there is not a business case for it. The fact that the reliability of the 96 has dipped below the minimum standards set up TfL within the last year, would suggest that these capacity issues do in fact need addressing. I would therefore request that TfL re-consider Bexley Council’s request and failing this that measures be put in place when re-tendering the 96 route to ensure that these capacity issues are addressed, particularly given the fact that the DLR service to Woolwich Arsenal will open in January 2009 and that Bexley Council plan to open a new secondary school in Crayford later in the autumn of 2009 which I am sure will add to demand on the route.

Route 99 – Although I rarely receive complaints regarding reliability on the route, I continue to receive requests for the route to be extended to North Greenwich underground station, in order that my constituents in the Belvedere and Erith routes can access a direct bus route to the station. I would therefore ask that TfL give consideration again to this request and that consideration be given to the fact that the DLR service to Woolwich Arsenal will open in January 2009 which I am sure will add to demand on the route.

Route 177 – I have received comments regarding excessive waits, which appear to be supported by the Quality Service Indicators produced by TFL which show the excess wait on this route to be below its target. I understand that part of this delay may be caused by the bus stopping at Plumstead Bus Garage to change drivers and I have received requests asking whether better publicity could be supplied advising that the bus will be delayed by this stop over. I have also received comments that overcrowding has been caused following the withdrawal of the 653. I would therefore ask that consideration be given to increasing the capacity of the service and resolving the excessive waiting issues, particularly given the fact that the DLR service to Woolwich Arsenal will open in January 2009 which I am sure will add to demand on the route.

Route 180 - I would like to raise my concerns regarding route 180.  As this service is operated by East Thames buses, it is not subject to the same franchising arrangements as other routes. The route continues to be one of the worst in terms of punctuality for my constituents and I would be grateful for any action that could be taken to improve punctuality on the route. I have also received comments that overcrowding has been caused following the withdrawal of the 653.

I have received comments from residents in the Basildon Road and McLeod Road area asking for a direct route to North Greenwich Station and I would be grateful if consideration could be given to this request. In addition, I would be interested to hear whether TfL have considered splitting the route, in order to improve punctuality.

Route 229 – I have received a number of comments regarding route 229 regarding capacity issues particularly in the peak periods and the scheduling of the evening timetable. I understand that at peak periods, this bus tends to get caught in traffic, at both Bexley Village and Sidcup causing bunching and consequently long delays. I am also aware that capacity issues on the route are caused by the number of school children making north-south journeys at peak times.

This have been reduced the introduction of the 669 and the re-routing of the 602 but I am aware that Bexley Council have asked for route 669 to be extended to Thamesmead and for a dedicated school bus to be introduced serving St Columbas School, Bexleyheath via Thamesmead, Belvedere and Erith in order to reduce the number of young people in the Bexleyheath clock tower area after school and to ease the capacity issues on the 229 particularly on the corridor between Bexleyheath and Erith, as the 229 is the only route that serves Bexley Road in Northumberland Heath. I would like to add my support to this request for improvements to the school bus network in order to improve the capacity issues on route 229.

I have received comments regarding evening and Sunday timetabling on route 229. I understand that the northbound 229 from Bexleyheath towards Erith has the same departure time as route 89 which runs along the same route through Erith Road. This causes a 20 minute service for passengers when both routes arrive together, as compared to previously when the routes were staggered and passengers travelling along this route therefore had a service every 10 minutes.

I have received a similar comment regarding routes 229 and 269 from Sidcup to Bexleyheath. Although they do not follow the same route, I understand that they are timed 17 & 3 minutes apart, which again would not appear logical. It would therefore ask that consideration be given to changing the timetabling of the 229 from Sidcup. If the service were to depart Sidcup 9 minutes earlier, it would provide waits of 12 & 8 minutes for either a 229 or 269 from Sidcup to Bexleyheath & 11 & 9 minutes for either an 89 or 229 from Bexleyheath towards Northumberland Heath.

Route 244 – I have received comments that capacity on this route has increased in peak periods following the introduction of free travel for young people. I understand that this has caused the Woolwich bound morning services to often be full in the Thamesmead area causing difficulties for constituents wishing to travel to Plumstead, Woolwich Arsenal or QE hospitals.

I appreciate that some of these capacity issues will be eased by the introduction of the Greenwich Waterfront Transit but would ask that as the date for commencement of the service appears someway off and given the fact that the DLR service to Woolwich Arsenal will open in January 2009 which I am sure will add to demand on the route, I would therefore request that consideration be given to increasing the capacity of the service and resolving the excessive waiting issues.

Route 380 – I understand that capacity on this route has increased in peak periods following the introduction of free travel for young people. I understand that this has caused the Woolwich bound morning services to often be full in the Thamesmead area causing difficulties for constituents wishing to travel to Plumstead, Woolwich Arsenal or QE hospitals.

I appreciate that some of these capacity issues will be eased by the introduction of the Greenwich Waterfront Transit but would ask that as the date for commencement of the service appears someway off and given the fact that the DLR service to Woolwich Arsenal will open in January 2009 which I am sure will add to demand on the route, I would therefore request that consideration be given to increasing the capacity of the service and resolving the excessive waiting issues.

Route 401 – Although punctuality has improved on the route, I continue to receive requests for a more frequent service than the current three buses an hour as this is the only route serving part of Yarnton Way, Picardy Road, Nuxley Road, Albert Road and the eastern part of Long Lane. I would therefore be grateful if consideration could be given to increasing the frequency of service on the route.

Route 422 – The only comment that I have received regarding this route was a request for the standards of driving on the route to be improved.

Route 428 – I have received requests for a more frequent service on a Sunday which currently operates a half hourly service for most of the day. This route serves Erith, Crayford and Dartford town centres as well as Darenth Hospital and Bluewater Shopping Centre. I would therefore support this request and ask that consideration be given to a service every 20 minutes on a Sunday. I have also noted that the performance of this route has dipped significantly during the last year but presume this is due to the ongoing works in Thames Road, Crayford and that punctuality levels will be restored on completion of the dualling.

Route 469 – I continue to receive complaints regarding the length of this route and the subsequent delays that are caused by its length. These complaints are supported by TfL’s QSIs which show that punctuality has been below minimum standards for the last two years and before the works at Thames Road, Crayford commenced. I would therefore ask that consideration is given to measures to improve punctuality on the service such as increasing the frequency of the service.

Route 472 – This route remains the route which I receive the largest number of complaints about. I accept that TfL has continued to increase the frequency of the service but the number of new homes in the Thamesmead area matched with the demand for North Greenwich station appears to have outstripped this extra capacity. While I appreciate that the Greenwich Waterfront Transit will mirror much of the 472 route and could in the longer term lead to its withdrawal, I am remain extremely concerned that this route appears unable to cope with the demand to reach North Greenwich station and that the opening of the DLR station at Woolwich Arsenal station will add to these capacity issues.

I know from first hand experience that residents are unable to board buses at North Greenwich due to the sheer number of people trying to board the bus at its first stop, and that standing on the stairs remains a common occurrence.

I know that in the past that TfL have been reluctant to introduce express buses but would be grateful if further consideration be given to the introduction of an express service in addition to the 472 service. This express service could follow the route of the 472 from Thamesmead to Woolwich and then travel non-stop to North Greenwich, easing capacity on the current 472 route.

Route B11 – The only comment that I have received regarding this route was a request for the standards of driving on the route to be improved.

Route B12 – I have received a number of requests for residents requesting an increase in frequency on this route and the introduction of a Sunday service on the route. The route is one of only two in Bexley which do not currently benefit from a Sunday service

It is the only route to directly serve Erith Leisure Centre and is the only route serving the roads through my constituency from Erith Town Centre to Bedonwell Road. The request for a Sunday service and increased punctuality at other times was raised by several constituents and I would therefore be grateful if this request could be considered.

Night bus services – You will be aware that in 2002, a decision was taken to curtail the N53 route at Plumstead which has resulted in an area through Abbey Wood, Upper Belvedere and Erith having their night bus provision withdrawn. I would be grateful if consideration could be given to restoring night bus services to these areas.

School Bus Routes 601, 602, 669 – I would be grateful if consideration could be given to increasing capacity on these routes in order to reduce demand on the 89, 229, 269, 401, 469 and B11 at peak periods.

As part of the consultation that I have carried out with local residents, I have received comments regarding the loud playing of music, graffiti and etching on buses. I am aware that teams of PCSOs are now deployed to bus routes in the Bexley part of my constituency and would be grateful for any further measures that can be taken to reduce antisocial behaviour on these routes.

Compensation for rail passengers

John Austin has criticised the train operating companies for failing to compensate weekly and daily ticket holders despite having received compensation from Railtrack over recent operating difficulties.

With fellow Labour MP, Harry Barnes, he has tabled an Early Day Motion which also calls for a change in the conditions of carriage.

The EDM states:
That this House is appalled that the Train Operating Companies, which have received compensation from Railtrack for the recent disruptions, may not, for fear of fraud, compensate customers who hold daily or weekly tickets but who have still been badly inconvenienced by unreliable, over-crowded and uncomfortable services; further believes that the Train Operating Companies should allow customers to prove with their bank and credit card statements or letters of verification from their employers that they have travelled; and urges the Train Operating Companies to alter the national conditions of carriage so that future compensation packages do not make second class citizens out of many of their poorly served passengers.

John Austin
Harry Barnes

Age discrimination in the NHS

90 Members of Parliament from all parties have now signed a motion from Labour MP, John Austin, calling for the NHS complaints system to be reformed after older patients spoke out about their experiences in a new report published by Age Concern.

The Early Day Motion (No 75) appears below.

John Austin said: “I would encourage anyone who is concerned about age discrimination to write to their MP urging them to sign the motion.”

John Austin added: “As part of their campaign, Age Concern has analysed 2000 responses from older people, many of whom tell how they have battled against secrecy, incompetence and time-wasting, when using the NHS complaints system. Age Concern also surveyed GPs, two thirds of whom admitted that age rationing occurs in the NHS. Many elderly people do not understand the complaints system and many fear recriminations. They need a simple complaints procedure and need to see that the health service has listened to them”.

EDM 75 - OLDER PEOPLE AND THE NHS COMPLAINTS SYSTEM - 11/12/00
Amess/David, Barnes/Harry, Beggs/Roy, Borrow/David, Bottomley/Peter, Brake/Tom, Brand/Peter, Brinton/Helen, Brown/Russell, Burstow/Paul, Cable/Vincent, Campbell/Ronnie, Caton/Martin, Chidgey/David, Clapham/Michael, Clark/David, Corbyn/Jeremy, Cox/Tom, Cryer/Ann, Cummings/John, Cunliffe/Lawrence, Cunningham/Jim, Darvill/Keith, Davey/Edward, Davis/Terry, Dean/Janet, Dismore/Andrew, Dobbin/Jim, Drew/David, Drown/Julia, Edwards/Huw, Etherington/Bill, Fearn/Ronnie, Flynn/Paul, Foster/Don, Gapes/Mike, George/Andrew, Gidley/Sandra, Godman/Norman A, Griffiths/Win, Gunnell/John, Hancock/Mike, Harvey/Nick, Henderson/Ivan, Horam/John, Hoyle/Lindsay, Illsley/Eric, Jackson/Glenda, Jones/Jenny, Jones/Lynne, Jones/Nigel, Keetch/Paul, Kumar/Ashok, Livsey/Richard, Llwyd/Elfyn, Love/Andrew, Mallaber/Judy, Marsden/Gordon, Marsden/Paul, McAllion/John, McNamara/Kevin, McWilliam/John, Michie/Bill, Mitchell/Austin, Moffatt/Laura, Naysmith/Doug, O'Hara/Edward, Perham/Linda, Prior/David, Prosser/Gwyn, Rapson/Syd, Ross/Ernie, Ross/William, Ruddock/Joan, Russell/Bob, Sanders/Adrian, Shaw/Jonathan, Simpson/Alan, Skinner/Dennis, Smyth/Martin, Stunell/Andrew, Swinney/John, Thomas/Gareth, Tonge/Jenny, Truswell/Paul, Tyler/Paul, Vis/Rudi, Walley/Joan, Williams/Betty.90 signatures.

That this House welcomes the new 'Speaking Out' report compiled by Age Concern highlighting the failings of the NHS complaints system in relation to older people; calls on the Government to act on older people's concerns by reforming the system to ensure that the health service learns from its mistakes, that the system is made more accessible, that there will be no recriminations against those who complain and that complainants have access to independent support; and urges the Government to acknowledge that if it develops a complaints system which respects and acts on the views of older people, it will help to build a health service which is better for all.

On Tuesday 9 January, John Austin raised the issue in Parliament with the Minister at Health Questions. (see Hansard below)

NHS Complaints
7. Mr. John Austin (Erith and Thamesmead): To ask the Secretary of State when he intends to publish a report on his review of the NHS complaints system. [142902]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Ms Gisela Stuart): The evaluation of the complaints procedure has been completed and the project team will submit its report at the end of this month. We will publish the report as soon as possible, once we have had the opportunity to consider its findings.

Mr. Austin: No doubt my hon. Friend has seen the report by Age Concern "Speaking Out", which expressed concern about upper age limits for treatment, negative attitudes to elderly people and the fact that a third of the respondents recorded the difficulty that they had in accessing the complaints machinery and their fear of recriminations. In the light of Age Concern's report, what action is being taken to combat age discrimination in the NHS and to ensure that elderly people have access to and confidence in an independent complaints machinery?

Ms Stuart: I am aware of Age Concern's report. It is important to put it on the record that we do not accept age discrimination within the NHS at any level, whether in the handling of complaints or in treatment. Many accident and emergency departments have fast-tracking for hip fractures, which particularly affect the elderly. We must distinguish between the process of making a complaint and providing support for that. With regard to speeding up the complaints process and giving people the support that they need, we are making progress with our evaluation at the end of the month, and the new patient advocacy and liaison services and the patient forums will provide independent support for all who need it, taking proper account of the needs of people of all ages.

Waste incinerator in Belvedere

John Austin welcomes court decision of unfair trial

Labour MP, John Austin, has called on the Turkish government to release former Kurdish MP, Leyla Zana, who has been in prison in Turkey for the past seven Years.

John Austin has welcomed the decision of the European Court of Human Rights that Leyla Zana and three other Kurdish members of the Turkish Parliament did not receive a fair trial.

John Austin had visited south east Turkey (North West Kurdistan) in 1992 with the Parliamentary Human Rights Group and travelled around the Kurdish areas with Leyla Zana visiting villages and homes destroyed by the Turkish forces and met other Kurdish MPs who were subsequently imprisoned. John Austin returned to Turkey in 1994 to attend Leyla Zana's trial.

He commented “It was obvious to me and the other human rights observers at the trial that this was a travesty of justice it is sad that it has taken 7 years for a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights”.

The Turkish Government sentenced Leyla Zana and three fellow Kurdish members of the Turkish Parliament in 1994 to a 15-year prison sentence for alleged membership in an armed organisation. In its unanimous decision, the European Court of Human Rights found that the State Security Court in Ankara which tried the MPs was not an” independent and impartial tribunal" and that, in turn, the MPs had been denied a fair trial under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

John Austin said: “I was there. Statements by the state prosecutor were accepted by the court as fact as was other uncorroborated evidence and the defendants were not allowed to challenge or cross-examine witnesses.

John Austin has been campaigning, inside and outside Parliament for the past 7 years for Leyla Zana and the other imprisoned MPs.

Leyla Zana is a key figure in the Kurdish struggle who was awarded the Council of Europe's Sakharov Award in 1995. John Austin has written to the Turkish government and has urged the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw to press for the immediate release of Leyla Zana and her fellow Kurdish Democracy Party (DEP) MPs Hatip Dicle, Orhan Dogan and Selim Sadak.

John Austin added; “If Turkey does not release these prisoners of conscience immediately they will have shown themselves unfit for consideration for membership of the European Union and should be expelled from the Council of Europe forthwith”.

Reform of the House of Lords

John Austin has called on the new Leader of the Commons, Robin Cook, to conduct a full consultation with backbench MPs and constituency labour parties before publishing the government's proposals on reform of the House of Lords.

John Austin says that following the fiasco over the so-called people's peers, opposition to a non-elected or partially non-elected second chamber has hardened.

In November he led two deputations to register opposition to thegovernment's proposals, one to see the Leader of the House of Lords, LordWilliams of Mostyn and the other to see the Leader of the Commons, Rt HonRobin Cook MP. In December he will be meeting Charles Clarke MP, theChairman of the Labour Party and the Cabinet Office Minister responsible forHouse of Lords Reform.

John Austin is a sponsor of the Campaign for a Democratic Upper House which will be holding a fringe meeting at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton in October (Sunday 30 September at 7pm, Belgrave Hotel). The campaign can be contacted at:
democratic_upper_house@hotmail.com