People's Question Time Online

Dear Mayor Khan, my preocupation is referred to transport connection between London Airports and downtown City of London. People using airports are mainly britons, but those that use them as a scale hub for after going to continental Europe, normaly go to London downtown. Usually we spend more than one hour, but exist a new transport concept no train, no rails, no noise, no vibration, no pollution . It is magnetic levitation, commercially used in Asia (China, Japan, South Korea), Germany and USA.  Now we are talking about Hyperloop, for travel inter city distances, that's more than 80 km. Also we know about intra-city Maglet Metrel (Metropolitan Elevated) service, for distances less than 60 km., with commercial speed in urban service of 150 km/h. that's 17 minutes from Stansted to City of London.

It would be possible to contact your office to present a PPP Concession Proposal..?

Thanks for the opportunity, and best regards,

Carlos Montalvo.

Dear Mr Khan,

TFL has introduced new measures on the roads during the pandemic.

Why were there no priorities of areas where improvements were consulted on and approved before not used, and new areas receiving improvements that have not gone through the same rigorous consultation?

I am writing from Kings Cross, where we are still waiting for promised changes of the gyratory system. Here no segregated cycle lanes were implemented, and we are still waiting.

A TFL official told me it was due to your staff being furloughed. But other staff appeared to not be furloughed and just implemented changes elsewhere (e.g. on Euston Road) with disregard to any approved plans elsewhere.

The bottom line of this question is, when will Kings Cross roads that are part of the gyratory finally receive the changes that you already consulted on. Can we have as a bare minimum temporary segregated cycle lanes and 20 Mile speed limits, please, on all roads? 

For reference see https://kingscrossenvironment.com/2018/11/29/the-wait-continues-for-cha…

As a long term private hire driver and with rates often lower than 15 years ago with now large costs with licensing etc.Many drivers have to work long dangerous hours to make up the shortfall
Drivers now have to pay up to £105 per week in congestion charge.
Many drivers are now leaving the trade and this has an adverse effect on the night -time economy and drivers livelihoods and a knock on effect when we are out of the pandemic,

Will the mayor consider removing the cc from hindering the income of drivers especially when you consider many drivers are from BAME communities already struggling from feeding their children and paying rent on homes often living in cramped conditions.

I don't understand your why you have made getting around town so hard for everyone especially during this pandemic. The bike lanes in the Euston Road are criminal, you have created so much more pollution and cost everyone so much extra travel time. The same with your policy of blocking off all the traditional streets in Hackney and Islington and other boroughs, this has created massive traffic Jams on all the main roads, and more pollution. I have an electric car, my son who is 21 cannot drive it as we can't get insurance so we've had to buy him a petrol car, he needs a car for travelling to work, public transport isn't an option, do you not think it might have made more sense especially in these times to encourage car usage so we can stay safe, not create the misery by blocking of roads, emergency services, disabled and young families are being put at a disadvantage, crime is increasing in these new escape routes you've encouraged. Your policies are killing this wonderful city of London. After 35 years of living here I personally cannot take the changes and will move, I have run my own company for 30 years and will have to relocate that as well, which means more job losses in London. You and your team are not commercial minded to make London a success for all of us.

Whatever was the idea behind stopping entry to passengers on buses a few months ago, surely anyone could see that action would cut off and revenue being taken by the bus industry for TFL, if it was for safety then maybe the mayor should have ASKED the people who do the job .

Mr Khan,

I have a question in regarding the expansion of the Congestion Charge zone to include the North and South Circular roads. 
 

After speaking to many members of my local community, I'm extremely concerned as this expansion means many members will have to pay £15 every time they leave their house, take their children to school, go to the shops etc.

Since the impact of Covid has led many people fearful of going on public transport combined with business and job losses; this expansion puts incredible amount of strain on these residents. 

For me, I am my grandmas primary career, taking her dinner every night, bringing her groceries etc, however now with this expansion I will not be able to afford to continue to do this. 
 

What are you going to do to listen and support your constituents who have evidently been extremely vocal against this expansion? What are you currently doing to find alternative ways of raising money for TFL other than forcing Londoners to pay for it? 
 

We need you to stand up and fight for your constituents. 

 Why does TfL have such a large management team?

 Why does TfL cost so much to run?

Why was the management structure of London Underground,London Buses  and Roads not simpified and slimmed when TfL took charge?

Why did TfL run out of money in a matter of weeks when Covid struck- despite having the highest fares in the world?

People my age have paid hugely high fares all our adult lives and are now being told to face the idea we will not get a Freedom pass

because TfL is bankrupt- do you agree this is unacceptable, and will you insist they continue to be issued?

Hi Mr Kahn. I'm a resident in Mortlake, South West. We are struggling without a bridge in Hammersmith and we are facing a redevelopment of the old Brewery that will, no doubt, clog our streets and will be unlievable. I feel we are being punished by the government for having (deservedly) voted out Zac Goldsmith and ignored by the Labour party because this is not a low income borough. But we do pay our taxes, have mortgages and want to live a normal life that it's not isolated without a bridge or clogged by horrible traffic by urban redevelopment. Being 2020 in the UK, a rich country with a really rich city like London, HOW CAN WE LIVE FOR YEARS WITHOUT A BRIDGE THAT CROSSES THE RIVER, NOT EVEN IN ITS PEDESTRIAN FORM. Life is really becoming unbearable here. Many thanks for your attention.

The Low Traffic Neighbourhood Schemes and ongoing construction of Cycleway 9 in Chiswick have caused more harm then good ie causing continuous traffic gridlock throughout the day, causing more pollution, emergency vehicles stuck in traffic and disabled and elderly unable to get to their appointments are a few examples .  Why has these schemes be allowed (Hounslow Council did NOT consult residents prior to implementing LTNs)... when the country is about to go into recession and also the Gov advising us against travelling on public transport, so we need to drive but you are making it very difficult for us motorists! 

Dear Mayor can you tell me when will you take notice of the residents whose lives have changed because of the LTN's implementation, They have caused a lot of major problems for Families with Disabled children,Families with Autism and people who are visited by carer's.  It is causing so much anxiety and depression.Lambeth council deputy leader Claire Holland has told us it was to help the environment but the pollution has moved to another area where the roads are now gridlocked. Please help.

Cycling:

Bromley has done very little for cycling provision in last 15 years and is poor - no lanes or anything. Parks are ok.

Children apprehensive of cycling on road - very much a motorist borough. Dulwich or Lewisham better.

What can the Mayor do to improve cycling in Bromley ?

How will we prevent TFL going bankrupt?

As a consquence of the pandemic we have seen a tremendous surge in the use of bycicles and electric scooters, inspite of the huge risks of using those vehicles in the London congested traffic. In this scenario would the Mayor be keen to resurrect and relounch the Skycycle project? 

I have noticed the increase in the number of cycling lanes, often starting and merging into a busy road, which is dangerous for both cyclist and motorist. There is also an increase in LTN, and the government has advised against use of public transport. This has increase congestion in my area, particularly on cold and rainy days when the car feels the only way to get around. This means that 10 min journeys now take upto 30 mins and leading to increased pollution due to idling in traffic. In addition all the London boroughs are promoting local areas.

Is the long term plan to get people to stay local and not commute around? Many town centres are a good 30 min ride away - and no one likes to arrive all sweaty to shop (particularly if you are going to try on clothes)?

Can the Mayor reaaure us that the Freedom Pass will continue?   This is not just about transport but about health and well-being and in all likelihood save money elsewhere 

Cycle lanes ? Tax payer has forked out for these and still they cycle on the pavements in and around London causing incidents to pedestrians and they get away with it.  Drivers  are condemend