TfL 'taken to task' over Brixton works (Chris Nicholson)

TfL 'taken to task' over Brixton works

January 19, 2009 3:08 PM

Improvement works in Brixton town centre are causing chaos for commuters, according to Liberal Democrat GLA Member, Caroline Pidgeon.

Ms Pidgeon summoned senior officials from Transport for London (TfL) to Brixton this morning (Monday) to see for themselves the mess left by contractors on the site.

In an hour-long briefing with local Liberal Democrat councillors and Streatham's Parliamentary Spokesman, Chris Nicholson, officers were taken to task over ongoing traffic congestion, health and safety risks from misplaced barriers around the works, and piles of debris left in mounds near street lights and bus stops.

Commenting, Caroline Pidgeon said:

"These works have been going on for months, yet when we visited not a single contractor was on site getting on with the job.

"Instead, the works have been left unfinished for months on end, with some serious trip hazards in places. We have asked Transport for London to learn lessons from these works so that when they start on Brixton Square they limit the nuisance to local residents and passengers from the wider area."

Streatham's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman, Chris Nicholson added:

"It's quite clear that Transport for London do not recognise the impact works in Brixton have had on commuters from Streatham, many of whom rely on the Victoria Line to get into town.

"For weeks, passengers were left waiting in huge queues around the Brixton gyratory system without a word of explanation to Streatham residents.

"There are more roadworks to come as TfL attempts to improve Effra Road, and we have demanded that communication with those affected in Streatham is improved this time round."