2010 Freedom Pass re-issue

The 2010 Freedom Pass re-issue is now taking place, and will end on 6th February 2010. Your existing Freedom pass will expire on 31st March 2010 and you must renew it.

Under new arrangements, you can only apply for your FreedomPass from any one of the 24 local Post Offices in Havering. The implementation of the new style photo ID card means your FreedomPass cards will no longer be available at the time of application. Your application will take up to 10 days to process.

The re-issue period will start from 4th January 2010 unlike previous issues when it commenced from February. The early start is necessary to ensure that all pass holders have applied for their pass and received it through the post, prior to their existing pass ceasing to operate on 1st April 2010.

For a list of Post Office branches in Havering click on the link on the right of this page.
Please see timetable below to work out when you should apply:

Look at the letter your surname that begin with, and then go along during one of the dates to apply.

A / B / C / D / E
04 - 16 Jan

F / G / H / I / J
18 – 23 Jan

K / L / M / N / O
25 – 30 Jan

P - Z

01 – 06 Feb

If you miss your week, please apply 08 – 13 Feb. For more info click here, or on the picture above.

Bus Strikes - Monday 9th November

Industrial action affecting local bus services run the the East London Bus Group is expected to take place from 3am on Monday 9 until 3am on Tuesday 10 November.

All routes below are subject to possible withdrawal or reduction of service:

Routes 5 8 15 (including Routemaster Heritage service) 25 26 30 48 55 56 62 69 86 97 101 103 104 106 115 145 147 158 169 175 205 230 238 241 247 257 262 276 277 287 294 296 300 325 330 366 369 376 387 396 473 496 D3.

School Routes: 608 647 674 678 687 (although it is hoped that these routes will operate).

Night Routes: N8 N15 N26 N55 N86 N550. These will operate throughout Sunday night/Monday morning, but may be affected by the action throughout Monday night/Tuesday morning.

For more information and updates please go to the Transport for London website

Gallows Corner flyover now open

Gallows Corner Flyover has been re-opened, ahead of schedule, and to a big sigh of relief for motorists using the A12/A127.


Following a period of routine repair works in April 2008, the flyover was further closed to traffic on 28 th May for major works to repair the parapets and support structures.


The Gallows Corner two-lane flyover was erected as a temporary structure in 1970, for an intended 12 to 15 year period. Since then, the flyover has been maintained by a succession of owners since its construction comprising Havering Borough Council, the Department for Transport, the Highways Agency and, since 2000, Transport for London (TfL).

Gallows Corner flyover now open

Gallows Corner Flyover has been re-opened, ahead of schedule, and to a big sigh of relief for motorists using the A12/A127.

Following a period of routine repair works in April 2008, the flyover was further closed to traffic on 28 th May for major works to repair the parapets and support structures.

The Gallows Corner two-lane flyover was erected as a temporary structure in 1970, for an intended 12 to 15 year period. Since then, the flyover has been maintained by a succession of owners since its construction comprising Havering Borough Council, the Department for Transport, the Highways Agency and, since 2000, Transport for London (TfL).

Gallows Corner flyover CLOSED

Gallows Corner flyover will be closed from tomorrow morning, for 3 months to enable repair works to be carried out. Additional works were found to be needed after the existing safety barriers were not up to the job. The work that was necessary to manufacture the support structures off-site has now been completed.

However, it will take at least three months, working 7 days a week, to install the new parapets. During the period of works the flyover will be fully closed with traffic diverted around Gallows Corner Roundabout.

There will be partial lane closures on the roundabout and its approach during off-peak periods and there will be inevitable delays to motorists.

It will also affect certain bus routes, including, the 174, 496 and 498.

Galllows Corner Flyover to close for three months !!

TfL have announced that the Gallows Corner Flyover will shut for three months from 28th May for repair works to be carried out.

Additional works to repair the parapets was identified in April last year and the necessary off-site construction of the support structures is now complete. However, it will take at least three months, working 7 days a week, to install the new parapets.

During the period of works the flyover will be fully closed with traffic diverted around Gallows Corner Roundabout. There will be partial lane closures on the roundabout and its approach during off-peak periods and there will be inevitable delays to motorists. It will also affect certain bus routes, including, the 174, 496 and 498.

The Gallows Corner two-lane flyover was erected as a temporary structure in the Sixties, for an intended 12 to 15 year period. Since then, the flyover has been maintained by a succession of organisations since its construction, comprising of Havering Borough Council, the Department for Transport, the Highways Agency and, since 2000, Transport for London (TfL).

Cllr Mann, who met TfL representatives at the flyover last year to discuss the issue said “The delays over this repair work have been a nightmare for local residents and commuters to and from London, most of this delay was unnecessary if a proper inspection had taken place prior to the works being started last year”, lets hope that once this work is completed, the flyover will operate for many years without any trouble”.

Special Bus Service to run for 2 days only

Two special "one off" services will be operating over two days to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the withdrawal of RT buses from passenger services in London.

There will be a 175A Romford Station to Ongar Station service operating on Sunday 12th and Monday 13th April. The route will go via South Street, Mercury Gardens, Havering Road and Orange Tree Hill towards Ongar.

The service will pick up and set down passengers at existing bus stops along the route. The vehicles used will be double deck buses. The service will be hourly from Romford Station with the first service departing at 09:18 and the last departing at 16:18. The first service from Ongar Station will depart at 10:24 and the last service will depart at 17:24.

There will be a 247 Romford St Edwards Way to Brentwood service operating on Sunday 12th and Monday 13th April only. The route will operate via Mercury Gardens, Balgores Lane and Shepherds Hill towards Brentwood.

The service will pick up and set down passengers at existing bus stops along the route. The service will operate every 30 minutes during most of the day with the first service departing Romford at 09:08 and the last departing as 17:08. The first service departs Brentwood at 10:08 and the last service departs at 18:08.

Gallows Corner Update

Havering Park Ward Councillor, Andrew Mann has recently been briefed by Andrew Miles (pictured above on the left with Cllr Mann) from Transport for London, about the on-going situation with the Gallows Corner Fly-Over, below is copy of the briefing note.

Contractors for Transport for London have now carried out the necessary investigation and feasibility design work for the permanent repair of the safety parapets that their inspections had shown had become heavily corroded.

As the flyover is a ‘temporary’ structure, its design is not compatible with modern standard parapet design solutions. A customised design will therefore be necessary, which will be manufactured off-site to achieve the necessary quality control and to minimise installation difficulties.

TfL have completed initial designs and testing of materials and their contractors are currently carrying out the detailed design specifications, which are scheduled to be complete by the end of this month. After this time TfL will be in a much better position to confirm the start date for their manufacture, the date they will be installed and the impacts the installations could have on traffic.

From the end of February TfL also expect to have a programme for the refurbishment of the flyover completed, so that they can estimate more precisely an end-date for the works.
Installation of the parapets will require TfL to find the balance in terms of not unduly inconveniencing residents and road users with excessive disruption, whilst completing the repairs as quickly as possible so that the flyover can be reopened.

In this context, they intend to carry out the repair works outside of the busy peak periods and at weekends, with night-time working where this will not contravene environmental health constraints or safety considerations.

We remain on track to complete the works by summer 2009.

Snow Update - Tues 3rd Feb

Following the heavy snow fall yesterday and the overnight icy conditions, a number of schools in Collier Row are still closed for today, Tuesday 3rd Feb, they include;

Bower Park
Marshalls Park
Pinewood
Rise Park
Parklands
Crownfield
Clockhouse



Havering Council has announced that no buses will be running today, for special school journeys are for the elderly at day centres across the Borough.

No rubbish or recycling was collected by Biffa, the Councils collection contractor yesterday, there may also be no collection today, more updates will be available later.

As a result of the extreme weather conditions, transport services are severely disrupted and driving conditions are poor today, Tuesday 3 February. Council staff are still working to clear and grit roads in the borough.

For news on buses and trains, the Transport for London (TfL) website has more information at: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/livetravelnewsThe London Travel Info 24hrs telephone helpline is on 020 7222 1234. BBC Ceefax, page 436, or ITV's Teletext, page 164.

For more information on Council services, go to; http://www.havering.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15164

For more information on school closures, listen to Time 107.5fm or contact your school direct.

The Council have also had its fleet of five gritters working through the night, spreading over 100 tons of salt on the roads, priority is always on the main roads, bus routes.

Smaller roads are dealt with only once the others are completed, StreetCare have been gritting outside shopping centres, libraries and other Council buildings.

24 Hour Freedom Pass

Twenty four hour free travel for elderly Freedom Pass holders came into force on 2 January 2009. The extension of the free travel scheme applies to journeys made on TfL routes, which include London buses, tubes, the DLR, and some train services (until now the elderly person’s pass could not be used before 9 am).

The Freedom Pass, paid for and run by London’s boroughs, is one of the most comprehensive concessionary fares schemes of its kind for older and disabled people in the country, and London boroughs have recently agreed a £240 million deal to provide the Freedom Pass between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010.

The Train Operating Companies have been invited to participate in offering the supplemental benefits but it has not been possible to reach an agreement to date. Therefore the additional hours will not apply to National Rail services in London, aside from the services specified above.
Transport for London estimates the cost of supplementing the scheme on their services will be up to £10m per annum.

To find out more visit http://www.freedompass.org/

Gallows Corner Update

Residents Association Councillor, Andrew Mann (Havering Park) has this week meet with officers from transport for London to talk about the issues with the long running delays and repair work with the Gallows Corner Fly-Over

The site meeting took place on Wednesday the 13th August, and Cllr Mann was joined by Andy Best (Pictured on left), North London Area Manager and Trevor Williams, Asset Manager for the whole London Network.

Cllr Mann said “I am grateful for TfL for taking the time to brief me on the situation, thousands of motorists and residents have to put up with this part closure for the next 12 months and it was a useful meeting in that I can at least understand what is going on and help convey that message to everyone else”

Cllr Mann also criticised Havering Council for its lack information to local residents, he said “They (the Council) have spent so much time denying they were responsible for any of the previous work and the Cabinet Member for Transport (Mike Armstrong) has been running around with his head in the sand that once again, local residents have to suffer by lack of information”

Cllr Mann was briefed on the recent issues involving the safety barriers that were found to be un-safe during the recent works. Workman uncovered far more rust and corrosion than was expected and it was felt by engineers it would not leave the barriers safe enough in case of an accident on the fly-over.

Cllr Mann was one of the first to hear of the plans by Transport for London to open the fly-over one way. The planned reopening of the flyover was originally set for 2nd June; this was delayed until 28th July because an inspection had identified the need for further works. However, it was then discovered by engineers that even more work is required, involving the steel-railed safety barriers on the flyover, as they are unsafe and will require new barriers to be installed.

However, this work could not be completed with a two way traffic flow and therefore, the flyover has started to operate in only the London Bound (Westward) direction for the foreseeable future. It can not be confirmed at the moment how long this situation will prevail, it has been suggested it could be well over 12 months, but maybe even longer.

At the time, Cllr Mann said “This situation is going from bad to worse, the flyover has already been closed for months causing misery to local residents and commuters, I find it unbelievable in this day and age, that engineers could not have surveyed the structure in more detail before they started the works”.

Gallows Corner Nighmare Continues

Residents Association Councillor, Andrew Mann (Havering Park) has learnt of plans by Transport for London to open the flyover this week, but only one way ! And it may take over a year to re-open fully, if ever.

The planned re-opening of the flyover was originally set for 2nd June; this was delayed until 28th July because an inspection had identified the need for further works. However, it has now been discovered by engineers that even more work is required, involving the steel-railed safety barriers on the flyover, as they are unsafe and will require new barriers to be installed.

However, this work can not be completed with a two way traffic flow and from next Monday (28th July), the flyover will operate in only the London Bound (Westward) direction for the foreseeable future. It can not be confirmed at the moment how long this situation will prevail, it has been suggested it could be well over 12 months, but maybe even longer.

Cllr Mann said “This situation is going from bad to worse, the flyover has already been closed for months causing misery to local residents and commuters, I find it unbelievable in this day and age, that engineers could not have surveyed the structure in more detail before they started the works”.

However, Cllr Mann is now worried about the future of the flyover he said “We all know that this flyover was moved form another location and installed over 35 years ago as a temporary structure, for years it has been allowed to sit and rot with no major maintenance work on it, TfL have failed to look after it properly until it is to late”.

He went on, it has been suggested to me by a reliable source that the flyover works set to take 12 months might be delayed even longer, as when they start on the new barriers, it may well unearth even more rust and damage that will make it unsafe for ever and nothing but scrap metal, to that end I will be writing to Mayor of London Boris Johnson and TfL Head, Peter Hendy, asking them both to set out precise plans for the re-opening of the flyover in both directions as a matter of urgency”

New 375 Bus starts service in Havering Village

Cllr Andrew Mann has been campaigning for a better bus service in the village, since he was first elected in 2002. Something the previous Mayor of London and Transport for London has constantly refused to consider. However, TfL and the Mayor have now been forced into dealing with this situation as hundreds of people would have been literally cut off from the outside world after Arriva Buses recently scrapped the 500 service. Cllr Mann wrote to both TFL and the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, objecting and to ask that the very serious issue of no bus service to and fro the village be looked at as a matter of some urgency.

TfL recently announced a new service that was introduced this week, on Monday 7th July to replace the old 500 bus. The service will operate from Monday to Saturday (no Sunday service) from 07.00 to 19.00 on a 90 min frequency from Romford Station to Passingford Bridge, where the bus will turn and then run back to Romford.

Cllr Andy Mann was on hand this week, as the new service picked up its first passengers at the Village Green in Havering-Atte-Bower, where he had the opportunity to talk to residents about the new service.

Havering Park Councillor, Andrew Mann said “I am glad that the Mayor and TfL have listened to the residents of the village about this very serious issue, hundreds of residents would have been cut of from basic daily chores such as shopping, work and medical appointments, whilst the service is only every 90 minutes, it is far better than the other option of nothing, I am pleased that the Residents Association on behalf of the residents in the Village has played a part in bringing this new service into our area”

Denis Stevens from the Residents Association said “We know this new service is not 100% perfect as it is only 90 minutes, has no Sunday service and will not go out into Essex; all of these issues were raised by residents to us. However, Tfl have assured Cllr Mann, that once the service is up and running, they will be open to consider changes and improvements if we can increase passenger numbers, so all is not lost on these issues”

This will be good news for the thousands of visitors each year to both the St. Francis Hospice Centre and the Essex Wildlife Trust visitors centre in Bedford’s Park, they would have found the traveling almost impossible if they do not happen to drive a car.

New Bus Service for the Village

The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association were very disappointed with Arriva Buses, following their decision to scrap the 500 bus service, in Havering-Atte-Bower. This would leave the whole village without a bus service, effectively cutting it off from the rest of Romford.

Cllr Andrew Mann has been campaigning for a better bus service in the village, since he was first elected in 2002. Something the previous Mayor of London and Transport for London has constantly refused to consider. However, TfL and the Mayor have now been forced into dealing with this situation as hundreds of people would have been literally cut off from the outside world.

Cllr Mann has recently written to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and TfL and asked them to come to Havering-Atte-Bower to meet with residents, Councillors and our Member of Parliament to see for themselves the current situation.

Following the letter he sent, TfL have now contacted Cllr Mann and outlined a new service that will be introduced on Monday 7th July to replace the old 500 bus.

The service will operate from Monday to Saturday (no Sunday service) from 07.00 to 19.00 on a 90 min frequency from Romford Station to Passingford Bridge, where the bus will turn and then run back to Romford. The number allocated to this service will be either the 335 or 375.

Havering Park Councillor, Andrew Mann said “I am glad that the Mayor and TfL have listened to the residents of the village about this very serious issue, hundreds of residents would have been cut of from basic daily chores such as shopping, work and medical appointments, whilst the service is only every 90 minutes, it is far better than the other option of nothing, I am pleased that the Residents Association, on behalf of the residents in the Village has played a part in bringing this new service into our area”.

Havering Park Action Member, Denis Stevens said “We know this new service is not 100% perfect as it is only 90 minutes, has no Sunday service, will not go to Collier Row and will not go out into Essex. All of these issues were raised by residents to us. However, Tfl have assured Cllr Mann, that once the service is up and running, they will be open to consider changes and improvements if we can increase passenger numbers, so all is not lost on these issues”

This will be good news for the thousands of visitors each year to both the St. Francis Hospice Centre and the Essex Wildlife Trust visitors centre in Bedford’s Park, they would have found the traveling almost impossible if they do not happen to drive a car.

500 Bus Update in H-A-B Village

Below is a copy of a letter I have written to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson in relation to the 500 bus being scrapped and the situation that Havering Village will find itself in when the service ends next month.

Boris Johnson
Mayor of London
City Hall
The Queens Walk
London
SE1 2AA

Dear Mayor Johnson

Re: Bus Service in Havering-Atte-Bower

Thank you for your letter of the 20th May 2008, following your successful election as the new Mayor of London, may I take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for the next four years and beyond.

I would very much like to take you up on your offer of working together, whatever political affiliation we are from; to that end a very urgent and pressing matter has arisen in my ward of “Havering Park” at the very northern tip of the London Borough of Havering, to which many residents need your help in resolving.

As you may recall, Assembly Member, Roger Evans recently raised the issue with you at your first Mayors Question time; concerning the situation that has arisen with the withdrawal of the 500 bus, by Arriva Buses Ltd, which now leaves the whole village of Havering-Atte-Bower without a bus service from next month.

For many years, myself, the Member of Parliament for Romford and other organisations such as St Francis Hospice and Essex Wildlife Trust have tried to secure a better bus service; one option was to re run the 499 service to part of the village when it was first introduced by TfL in 2001 / 2002. The second option was to look at the possibility of changing the 103 and 175; both over the years (many years, I might add) used to run up to the village. However, TfL and the previous Mayor would never investigate this any further, than to say it was not feasible.

Havering transport officers have informed me that a meeting is hoping to take place with yourself and TfL shortly to discuss the issues with local politicians, to that end, so that we are truly working for the residents of Havering and the City of London as a whole cross party, I would very much like to meet you to discuss the issues at the same time.

I know you have a busy schedule, however it may also be of benefit if you could visit Havering-Atte-Bower, it is often the forgotten part of London, as once you are there, it is very easy to forget you are still in Greater London and not in fact in the middle of the Essex countryside. I know you spent some time in Romford during your election campaign, something that the previous Mayor never did, I think he only ever visited the Borough of Havering twice in eight years, which is terrible.

I am sure TfL officers will have all the previous correspondence and details of this situation, however I can supply copious amounts of paperwork on this issue if required.

I very much look forward to meeting you to discus the issue further and to welcome you to Havering-Atte-Bower, as I am sure would Roger Evans and Andrew Rosindell.

In the meantime, if I can be of any further assistance on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me, either via the Members Room at the Town Hall or on Romford 432034. You can also contact me via my e-mail address: andrew.mann@havering.gov.uk

With every best wish

Yours sincerely,


COUNCILLOR ANDREW MANN
Shadow Cabinet Member for StreetCare & the Environment
& Havering Park Residents Association Ward Councillor

500 Bus through Havering Village to be Scrapped

500 Bus to be Scrapped
The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association is very concerned about the situation in Havering-Atte-Bower following the decision by Arriva Buses to scrap the 500 bus from next month.

This will now leave the whole village, from the Borough Boundary with Stapleford Abbotts right down to the bottom of Orange Tree Hill without a bus service, effectively cutting the village of from the rest of Romford. We are also concerned that this decision came with no forward warning to both local residents or Councillors and has left little time for anyone to come up with alternative plans.

Since before he was first elected in 2002, Cllr Mann has been campaigning for the 499 bus to be re-routed up to the village, this is something that the previous Mayor of London and Transport for London has constantly refused to consider. However the time has now finally come for TfL and the Mayor to deal with this situation.

To that end, Cllr Andrew Mann has written to the new Mayor of London Boris Johnson and asked him to come to Havering-Atte-Bower to meet with residents and Councillors and our Member of Parliament to see for him-self the current situation.

The Mayors transport strategy for London says, that no resident should be more than 400 metres from a bus service, this was something that was bad enough with just an hourly service and nothing on a Sunday, now the furthest residents will live over 1.5 miles from a bus service.

Apart from local residents who will be cut off, there are thousands of visitors each year to both the St Francis Hospice centre and the Essex Wildlife Trust visitors centre in Bedfords Park, who will now find travelling almost impossible if you do not happen to drive a car.

We are now calling on new Mayor of London Boris Johnson, to support the residents of the village in getting TfL to re-route the 499 bus into the village. Please could we ask you to join our petition by e-mailing, Cllr Andrew Mann your objections to andrew.mann@havering.gov.uk

Low Emission Zone

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone kicks of his latest scheme for London today, along with Transport for London (TfL) are introducing a low emission zone (LEZ) for vehicles to cover most of London (excluding the M25 corridor) from 4th February 2008.

It’s aimed at improving air quality standards in London which are currently amongst the worst in Europe. The LEZ will operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The scheme aims to encourage the use of vehicles with ‘cleaner’ engine technology (either modern vehicles designed to comply from ‘new’ or those ‘retro-fitted’ with equipment to reduce their harmful exhaust emissions) otherwise the operators will have to pay a charge of up to £200 each time they enter London.

The scheme is based on ‘Euro’ standards for vehicle exhaust emissions. Cameras on Havering's key road approaches to London such as the A12 and the A13 will check vehicle registration details against a database to see if the vehicle meets the right standards for emissions or is required to pay the daily charge. Large green signs have recently been installed alongside these routes about the LEZ.

The scheme will apply to older lorries, buses, coaches and mini buses, motor caravans and specialist vehicles such as horse boxes. It will not apply to cars and motorcycles. A small number of vehicles will be exempt from the LEZ and TfL have details of these types.

The scheme will have a phased introduction from next month beginning with the heaviest vehicles. At first, diesel-engined lorries of more than 12 tonnes will have to meet Euro lll emission standards to enter London free of charge.

From July 2008, vehicles in excess of 3.5 tonnes will also need to meet Euro III standards. Tougher requirements and a wider range of vehicles needing to comply will be introduced from 2010.

The scheme will be fully in place by 2012. Full details of the Low Emission Zone can be found on TfL’s website : tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon or by calling the information line 0845 607 0009.

Cllr Mann said "Who knows if this will be a good thing for London, Ken said the same about the congestion charge, it was meant to cut the amount of traffic and increase the level of carbon in London, now that the charge for the congestion is £8 a day and has done nothing to improve air quality in London". "All I would say about Ken, is lets all be pleased that we have London Elections on the 1st of May, not long to go know".

Essential A12 Eastern Avenue resurfacing works

Transport for London (TfL), which is responsible for the A12 carriageway, has informed Havering Council that it will be carrying out essential resurfacing works between Rise Park Boulevard and Masefield Crescent.

Improvements will take place from 15 November with work anticipated to be complete on 17 December (weather permitting). The majority of the works will be undertaken during the daytime and will result in single lane closures.

Resurfacing is programmed for five to six nights in mid December and will be undertaken during the night time. These works follow on from the recent essential drainage and carriageway works on Eastern Avenue (Eastbound) in September.

TfL has informed the Council that it hopes to keep the disruption to a minimum. TfL did apologise for any inconvenience to drivers and those on the diversionary route, who are likely to experience additional traffic.