Hornsey Lane residents to benefit from bus stop move

Residents along Hornsey Lane are celebrating after it was confirmed that an unsafe bus stop will be moved to a safer location. Construction works at Whitehall Park school, where the bus stop was located has left the pavement damaged, making it difficult for elderly residents and people with disabilities to access the stop.

Local Assembly Member Joanne McCartney arranged a meeting in February 2017 between residents, Haringey Council and Transport for London to discuss a new location for the stop. After months of campaigning, funding has now been secured and the bus stop will be moved to a safer location at the top of Stanhope Road.

Labour London Assembly Member for Enfield and Haringey, Joanne McCartney AM, said:

“I am delighted that we have been able to secure the move of the bus stop for local residents on Hornsey Lane. It was good to meet with residents and stakeholders and work out a solution to this issue.

“The safety of local residents is paramount and moving the bus stop will make it both safer and more convenient for those using the W5.”

Local resident and campaigner, Rosemary Bodger said:

“I am delighted that the bus stop has been moved. After campaigning for more than a year with my neighbours, we are now able to get around more in the future. People in wheelchairs and the disabled will once more be able to get onto the W5 bus safely from the wider pavement which has just been constructed near the top of Stanhope Road.

“This will mean easier trips to the shops; the Whittington Hospital, and for visits to friends and family. I am glad that Joanne was able to help us in securing this change.”

Joanne welcomes lifting of cap on Hopper fare trips

Londoners will now be able to make unlimited bus and tram journeys within an hour and only be charged a single fare (£1.50). The announcement, made by the Mayor of London, was welcomed by Local London Assembly Member Joanne McCartney AM who said the move might encourage more people to use buses and would help lower income families in Enfield and Haringey.

The expansion of the Hopper fare scheme allows passengers to transfer any number of times even if they take a train or Tube between boarding buses. Since it was launched by the Mayor in September 2016, more than 140 million journeys have been made using the ‘Hopper’ fare.

The most recent data from Transport for London (TfL) shows that around 350,000 journeys are being made every weekday using the ‘Hopper’ fare. It is estimated by TfL that around 13,000 additional passengers will now benefit from the unlimited ‘Hopper’ fare every single day.

Labour London Assembly Member Joanne McCartney AM for Enfield & Haringey said:

“We know that the Hopper fare has already benefitted millions of Londoners, so it is great to see the scheme expand to allow unlimited bus and tram journeys within an hour for the price of a single fare.

“In particular, much of Enfield & Haringey is not served by the tube, meaning residents rely more on buses to get around. As such, this is especially welcome in Outer London boroughs.

London Overground should be handed control of local rail services

Joanne McCartney AM today asked the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan to provide an update on his discussions with the Government to devolve the Great Northern lines to Transport for London (TfL).

An independent report by Chris Gibb, a non-executive director of Network Rail, in 2017 recommended that TfL take over the Great Northern Metro lines which run out of Moorgate, through Enfield & Haringey.

Mr Gibb’s proposal stated that it would reduce the risk to the current train operator, GTR, and that this could happen as soon as 2018.

However, the Government suggested that the decision needed “further assessment”. The Mayor said he had seen a new willingness from the Department for Transport to engage in conversations and he is hopeful of progress.

Labour London Assembly Member for Enfield & Haringey, Joanne McCartney AM, said:

“TfL have shown they can improve their existing rail services, such as the Greater Anglia lines which run through Enfield & Haringey. They have proved that they can absorb more responsibility and deliver a better journey for passengers. The Government needs to listen to their own independent report and devolve the Great Northern lines to TfL as soon as possible.”

Great Northern Services could be handed to TfL by 2018

London Assembly Member for Enfield & Haringey, Joanne McCartney, has called on the Government to hand over the running of the Great Northern Metro services to Transport for London (TfL).

A new independent report into the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) franchise by Chris Gibb, a non-executive director of Network Rail, states that the Government could transfer the Great Northern Metro services, which run out of Moorgate, to TfL. This includes services which run through Enfield & Haringey.

Mr Gibb’s proposal states that it would reduce the risk to the current train operator, GTR, who are also responsible for Thameslink, Southern, Gatwick Express and other Great Northern trains. The report states that this could happen as soon as 2018.

Labour London Assembly Member for Enfield & Haringey, Joanne McCartney AM, said:

“I agree with Chris Gibb that there is an opportunity to hand these services to TfL. The Great Northern line serves as a vital commuter transport link for my constituents and services and capacity can be improved if Transport for London is in control. As such, I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, and asked him to seriously consider Mr Gibb’s proposal.

“TfL have already massively improved their existing services, including the lines out of Liverpool Street which also serve my constituency. They have proved that they can absorb more responsibility and deliver a better journey for passengers. I am sure that the Secretary of State will also want the best service possible for my constituents”.

Joanne welcomes improved bus services to NMUH

Commenting on the announcement that the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has set out plans to improve bus services to North Middlesex University Hospital, Joanne McCartney AM said:

“I am delighted that Mayor Khan is committing to take action on this vital local issue, especially after the previous Mayor offered no solution when I raised this issue in the past.

“I have long been campaigning with local residents for improved bus services to our local hospitals to ensure people across Enfield, particularly in Winchmore Hill and Chase, can get to North Middlesex University Hospital, after the government took the decision to downgrade Chase Farm Hospital.

“There will now be direct new bus links, meaning constituents will no longer have to embark on a long and difficult journey on public transport in order to access services, visit relatives, or work their shifts.”