Hard Rock Calling, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - Sunday 30 June 2013

The second of the 2013 summer concerts takes place in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP) tonight and it is expected to be busy. Last night there was a high demand for taxis and with the Tube finishing earlier tonight we’re expecting more people will want to use taxis or pre-booked private hire vehicles.

 

Below are the details of the taxi and private hire arrangements for this evening.

 

Taxis

Thank you to all of the taxi drivers who worked the Meridian Square taxi rank last night. The arrangements will be the same for this evening with marshals at the rank from 21:00and a feeder rank operating in Station Street.

 

Last night people in International Way, near Stratford International Station, wanted taxis but none were available at the new taxi rank. Taxis can pick-up in International Waytonight and one of the main exits from the concerts goes past the new rank.

 

The rank in International Way is open all day and can be reached from Montfichet Road. As you travel south along Montfichet Road towards Westfield, International Way is the right turn before Hitchcock Lane.

 

Private Hire

A marshalled private hire pick-up point for private hire vehicles that have been pre-booked will operate tonight. This is on International Way, behind Stratford International Station. Please note access will only be granted to vehicles that have evidence of a pre-booking.

 

Access to the pick-up point is from Montfichet Road and drivers should go along International Way, past Stratford International Station and Stratford International DLR Station and the pick-up point is on the left hand side. The marshals will be checking drivers have a booking so please make sure your drivers can confirm the name of their passenger and destination. 

 

The TPH compliance team will again be in the area tonightto undertake random checks on drivers and to detect and deter touting.

 

More information about events at the QEOP can be found here Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Tottenham High Road to be returned to two-way traffic flow from Sunday 30 June

   

Improvements part of wider work to remove the Tottenham Hale Gyratoryand will contribute to the regeneration of the area.

Work to create new bus station and public area near Tottenham Hale station remain on track to begin by the end of the year following next phase of works along Monument Way

Transport for London (TfL) will return the A10 Tottenham High Road to two-way traffic on 30 June, heralding the completion of the first phase of the Tottenham Hale Gyratory removal scheme.

Safer for pedestrians and cyclists

The traffic switch, which will take place early on the Sunday morning, will significantly improve the road network by providing more options for vehicles travelling in both directions through the area, as well as easier access for local residents and businesses.

It will also help to reduce traffic levels along Broad Lane and Monument Way, making the area safer and more appealing for pedestrians and cyclists.

New paving, lighting and trees have also been installed as part of this first phase, helping to further improve the look of Tottenham High Road.

Further improvements

The work forms part of TfL's wider £34m scheme to improve the area around Tottenham Hale Gyratory.

As well as removing the gyratory, the existing bus station by Tottenham Hale station will also be expanded to significantly improve interchange between bus, Underground and train services and a new public space with trees, benches and additional cycle parking for the local community created, providing a new area for local residents to relax, play and catch up.

Following the traffic switch, TfL will begin work on the next phase to convert Monument Way to two-way traffic.

This phase is planned to be completed by the end of the year, after which work will begin on the new public space.

Buses serving route 341 will be permanently diverted to go along Philip Lane and High Road following the traffic switch on the 30 June.

TfL will also shortly be consulting on its proposal to implement a 20mph zone along Broad Lane and within the gyratory as part of the scheme.

Local benefits

Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer of Surface Transport at TfL, said 'The completion of the first key phase of work at Tottenham Hale will be of huge benefit to the local area.

'By returning Tottenham High Road to two-way traffic, residents, business and local road users will see improved traffic flow and better access, in addition to the new paving, lighting and trees.

'Work on the next phase will begin straight away, with work on the new bus station near Tottenham Hale station beginning later this year, providing improved access to our more popular than ever bus network by the end of 2014.'

To find out more about the scheme to improve the street environment around Tottenham Hale, please visit tfl.gov.uk/TottenhamHaleScheme

Taxi Ranks Update 27th June 2013

	London Taxi and Private Hire – Taxi ranks update	27 June 2013
	Below is the latest taxi ranks update to help keep you informed. Follow the links provided for more information.
	News
	Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park summer concerts This weekend there are two concerts in the northern section of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP), these are: -        Saturday 29/06/2013, Hard Rock Calling – Kasabian -        Sunday 30/06/2013, Hard Rock Calling – Bruce Springsteen The taxi arrangements for each day will be reviewed and changes made where necessary but at present are as follows: -        Meridian Square taxi rank will operate as normal -        Taxi marshals will be at Meridian Square and Station Street from 21:00 -        A feeder rank will operate in Station Street from 21:00 – this is the same arrangement as was in place during the Olympic and Paralympic Games and from21:00 drivers should go to Station Street first and then wait until the marshals advise them to move forward to Meridian Square -        From 07:00 in the morning a temporary taxi rank will operate of the southern side of International Way, taxis should rank facing westwards.  When using this rank drivers must not stop on the zebra crossings and these should be kept clear at all times. Drivers will be able to access International Way from Montfichet Road and also leave via Montfichet Road. -        Westfield Avenue will be closed all day -        The northbound lane of Montfichet Road will be closed but the southbound lane will operate as two separate lanes – one northbound and one southbound More information about events at the QEOP can be found here Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
	Charterhouse Street Following discussions between us and the London Borough of Islington about a taxi rank for Charterhouse Street, the borough are conducting a consultation on a proposal for a rank. If you would like to comment on this proposal and state whether you support the idea of a late night taxi rank in Charterhouse Street then you can find the consultation here. The closing date for replying is 28 June 2013.
	Wimbledon Tennis Championships 2013 As we move into the second week of Wimbledon here is a reminder of the taxi rank arrangements during the tournament: Southfields Station -        There will be a taxi rank (rank no. 5636) for 19 taxis in Augustus Road, near Southfields Station, offering shared taxi trips to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships -        The taxi rank in Wimbledon Park Road, near Southfield Station (rank no. 5619) will not operate during the Championships Wimbledon Station -        Shared taxi trips from the Wimbledon Station taxi rank to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships will be operating -        Marshals are expected to be at the Southfields and Wimbledon station ranks in the morning on tournament days  -        Passengers going to the tennis should be dropped off at the rank in Church Road, outside Gate 4 Wimbledon Tennis Club – Church Road -        There will be a taxi rank (rank no. 5587) for 30 taxis in Church Road (outside Gate 4) where spectators will be able to take shared taxi trips to Southfields and Wimbledon stations. The rank will also operate normally for passengers wishing to travel to central London and other destinations.  -        The rank will also be the drop-off point for all taxi passengers and stopping elsewhere on Church Road is not permitted  Wimbledon Tennis Club – Somerset Road -        There will be a taxi rank (rank no. 5588) for 8 taxis in Somerset Road (outside Gate 13) offering shared taxi trips to Wimbledon Station and operating normally for passengers wishing to travel to Central London and other destinations -        Marshals are expected to be at the Church Road and Somerset Road ranks from 17:00 onwards Drivers are reminded that taxis must not be left unattended on ranks at any time. Pre-booked taxis 2 spaces in Somerset Road will be allocated for pre-booked taxis. Taxi sharing arrangements Shared taxi fares For shared taxi trips between Wimbledon or Southfields station and the tennis the fare payable per passenger is: -        £2.50 for adults -        £1.25 for children between 2 and 10 years old -        Children under 2 travel free It is an offence to charge more than the prescribed fare and fares for unshared taxis cannot be negotiated in advance that would be more than the metered fare.  Journeys to other locations Sharing is only authorised: -        From the taxi ranks at Wimbledon Station and on Augustus Road near Southfields Station to the tennis tournament ground by Gate 4, Church Road -        From outside Gate 4 at the tennis ground to either of the two stations -        From Somerset Road outside Gate 12 of the tennis ground to Wimbledon Station
	Hornchurch We’ve received reports about drivers continuing to park in the old taxi rank in Station Lane, Hornchurch and also parking on the pavement outside Ask restaurant. Drivers must not park in the old taxi rank as this has been revoked and so they risk being issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
	London Bridge bus station closure – date change The dates the for upcoming London Bridge bus station closure have been changed and the station will now be closed from 01:00 on Saturday 6 July until 05:00 on Monday 8 July 2013 to allow a tower crane to be erected. During the closure the temporary taxi rank arrangements in Tooley Street, which have been used for previous closures, will be in operation. Taxi marshals will also be present and all drivers should follow the directions of the marshals.
	Bressenden Place – taxi drop offs If you are dropping off passengers for Eland House, Portland House or other buildings in the area please do not stop next to or just in front of the lorry holding area on Bressenden Place. Passengers have been leaving taxis and then walking through the lorry holding area but this is not safe. A dedicated taxi drop-off space has now been provided on Bressenden Place, before the lorry holding area.
	Works at Palestra Between mid-July to October 2013 there will be works around Palestra with the works starting on the side of the building facing Blackfriars Road, meaning that the nearside southbound traffic lane will be suspended for about three weeks. From early August to early September work will be carried out on the Union Street side of the building and Union Street will operate eastbound only between Blackfriars Road and Nelson Square. Signage at the Great Suffolk Junction will advise westbound vehicles that entry into Union Street is for access to Nelson Square only, with other westbound traffic diverted north along Great Suffolk Street and via Southwark Street and Blackfriars Road. A contra-flow cycle lane will operate westbound on Union Street, with a barrier to segregate this from the main eastbound traffic. The attached map shows the diversion route. Union Street will be returned to two-way operation as soon as possible and the remaining works, on Gambia Street and on the north side of the building, will be carried out in September and early October.
	Zuma taxi rank A taxi rank has been appointed for Zuma in Raphael Street. The rank is for three taxis and is in two portions, with the first portion directly outside of the door of Zuma. The rank operates between 18:30 and 08:30. The taxi rank will be closely monitored and it is essential that drivers do not obstruct other vehicles or block the access to the buildings near Zuma, otherwise the rank may have to be removed.
	ME hotel taxi rank A two space taxi rank has been appointed for the ME Hotel, Aldwych. This is not a new rank but we’ve not mentioned it here before. The rank operates 24 hours a day and please make sure you support this so that guests at the hotel can quickly and easily get a taxi.
	Events and road closures You can find information about major public events and works in London that involve road closures and could therefore disrupt traffic on the TfL website here. Live traffic news and disruptions taking place on London's major roads can also be found on the TfL websitehere. Upcoming events include: -        Friday 28 June 2013, The City of London Festival’s Children’s Parade takes place between 12.45-13.30. Roads closed to allow the parade to take place are Gresham Street, Old Jewry, Poultry, Cheapside, Newgate Street, Warwick Lane, Ave Maria Lane and Paternoster Square. The road closures will be between 12:00 and 14:00 and attached is a map showing the parade route.  -        There are various events at Alexandra Palace including the Cyprus Wine Festival & Business Exhibition on Saturday 29 to Sunday 30 June 2013. There are two taxi ranks at Alexandra Palace – one near the     main entrance to the Palm Court bar for smaller events and one in the east car park for larger events such as concerts. More information about upcoming events is available here. -        Saturday 27 to Sunday 4 July 2013Virgin London Triathlon -        Saturday 3 to Sunday 4 August 2013,RideLondon FreeCycle, Grand Prix, London to Surrey 100 and the London to Surrey Classic events all take place -        Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 September 2013 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final -        Sunday 22 September 2103 Tour of Britain Final Stage
	Consultations -        Charterhouse Street taxi rank consultation – closing date is 28 June 2013 -        High Speed 2 consultation – closing date is 11 July 2013 -        Crossrail 2 consultation – closing date is 2 August 2013
	Useful links -         tfl.gov.uk/tph – taxi licensing information -         Taxi ranks booklet -         Find the latest TfL press notices -         Planned traffic impacts from events and closures -         TfL Consultations -         TfL Projects and schemes   Keep  up to date by following TfL on Twitter -        Taxi and Private Hire -        Traffic news -        TfL Official -        TfL Accessibility

LONDON TAXIS – Lobby of Parliament 2nd July 2013.

The Law Commission is currently reviewing all legislation relating to taxi and private hire vehicles. Whilst this review, which officials claim is designed to simplify the legislation, could potentially deregulate the industry and as such is a threat to members’ livelihoods, it also presents us with a number of opportunities.

The interim statement of the Law Commission does not commit to legally defining plying for hire, however, it does acknowledge that a two-tier system must remain in place.

RMT is participating in a lobby of Parliament in order to ensure that MPs are aware of our views on any changes to legislation. This lobby is a joint lobby with both Unite and the GMB.

The rally will take place inCommittee Room 10 from 4pm to 6pm on Tuesday 2 July. Members are encouraged to arrange to meet their Member of Parliament on the day, in order to express their opposition to any further deregulation of the trade. In order to lobby your MP please arrive at 1.30pm.

Please use the box below to contact your MP and get him to meet in committee room 10

Contact Your MP/MEP/AM

Enter your Postcode below:

 

Below is a template Email if you have trouble composing one for yourself. 

Dear_xxxxx

I'm contacting you is in regards to the interim Law Commission report on License Taxi & Private Hire.

As a London Hackney Carriage driver and constituent I have concerns that proposals in the report imply statutory underpinning of private hire with no intentions to define 'plying for hire'.

As I'm sure you are aware this is the vital distinction between Licensed Taxi and Private Hire vehicle and any move away from this could have serious implications on the hackney carriage trade taking work away in an already competitive market.

 

In reference to section 5 of the report:

''We suggest moving away from the out-dated concept of plying for hire and use instead a more modern definition of the limits to the way private hire services may be offered, using the concept of pre-booking (which would be statutorily defined) through a licensed operator''

Next week on July 2nd there is a trade lobbying of parliament with delegates from trade associations. If possibleI I would urge you to attend the meeting in committee room 10 between 4-6pm.

 

Yours sincerely,

Xxxxxxxx

End.

For further information please contactm.carty@rmt.org.uk

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow
General Secretary

Kind regards,

Mike Tinnion.

Branch Secretary
London Taxi Drivers Branch 0930.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.
Unity House
39 Chalton street
London,
NW1 1JD.

Pay for London transport bosses criticised

Transport for London bosses are involved in a "Fat Cats" salary row on a day big cuts were expected to be announced. TfL's annual report shows Transport Commissioner SirPeter Hendy was paid £650,352. 

The figure includes two annual bonuses deferred until after the Olympics. Sir Peter is one of sixTfL executives with pay cheques in excess of £300,000 ?

Also among the top earners, head of London Underground Mike Brown received £473,551and TfL's chief lawyer, Howard Carter was paid £368,375.

A further 300 TfL staff were paid more than £100,000. The bonuses were agreed by a Remuneration Committee chaired by TfL board member, Paralympian Baroness Tani Grey Thompson. She said: "The excellent management team and staff of TfL have really delivered." But London Assembly (Green Party member) Jenny Jones said: "We can’t afford not to reduce the pay gap in this divided city".

TfL is bracing itself for painful cuts to its budget when the Chancellor announces his Spending Review. The organisstion claims it needs to spend £1.8bn a year on a programme of vital transport improvements.

Projects thought to be at risk include the upgrade of the Bakerloo and Piccadilly Lines and the Mayor's £900M  "cycling vision".

Bob Crow: TfL wages 'outrageous'

With transport taking a massive hit in the spending review, and with job cuts and fare increases looming large, it is outrageous that the top brass across TfL are raking in such huge bonuses.

Crossrail is paying out huge amounts in largesse for a project that hasn't even been completed yet while trade unionists have been blacklisted off the site for fighting for health and safety and decent working conditions.

RMT will take the 'loadsamoney' culture at the top into full account as we make our own pay claims.

Labour: TfL's bonuses 'shocking'

Responding to the publication of Transport for London’sAnnual Accounts, London Assembly Labour Group Transport Spokesperson, ValShawcross AM, said:

“TfL’s bonus pot of £2.5million will come as a surprise to Londoners who have been forced to pay through the nose just to get to work. We’ve had five years of inflation busting fare rises under Boris Johnson and now we find out that TfL has paid out huge bonuses. They may have been agreed by a committee but it is still shocking.

LONDON TAXI NEWS

Brian Munro Cancer Fighting Fund and RMT’s efforts to support it.

The Fund has been set up to raise money for a cutting-edge treatment available at Christie’s hospital in Manchester that Brian needs to help combat a rare form of cancer, ocular melanoma.

Thanks to many of you who have so far contributed -  we are making great progress with the Fund. Now, we are stepping things up with an exciting chance for two people to win a fantastic prize. 

You can buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a three-day trip for two people to New York with hotel and flights included. Tickets are £2 each and the raffle will be held in the evening on Thursday 27th of June. For your chance to win this fantastic prize, buy tickets via the Brian Munro Cancer Fighting Fund PayPal ‘donate’ button on web on our website: www.rmtlondoncalling.org.uk/node/4261 

When buying raffle tickets please comment that they are for the 'New York Raffle,' and add your email address. We will reply with your raffle ticket numbers. All proceeds will go to the Fund. We will stop selling online raffle tickets at 12:00hours on Thursday 27 June 2013. When buying raffle tickets via PayPal please remember to state 'New York Raffle' and your email address. RMT General Secretary Bob Crow will pick a winner at random. The winning ticket number will be posted on our websites.  

Thanks for your solidarity and good luck!

Janine

To find out more about how this e-mail list operates, visit:http://www.unionlists.org.uk/lists/info/rmtlondoncalling

How to Lobby Your MP in Parliament.

 What is Lobbying ?

Lobbying is about raising issues with and seeking to influence elected representatives. It can take many different forms and can be done by paid professional lobbyists or by grass roots activists and members of the public. 

Lobbying of MPs can take place in Parliament when it is sitting or in an MPs constituency. 

An MP should, and generally will, see you as a constituent rather than simply as a trade unionist and as such is meant to represent a constituent interest even if he or she does not agree with them. 

It is important that you, your colleagues, friends, neighbours and family contact your MP on important issues and concerns, the more contact's an MP has on the same issue the more likely that it is that they will do something about it.

How do we lobby MPs in Westminster?

In general, constituents and RMT members tend to choose to lobby their MPs in Westminster as part of a coordinated lobby day at Parliament often organised by the RMT the TUC or others. 

However, there is nothing stopping you working with members and officers in your region to organise your own lobby of Parliament. 

Lobbies of Parliament usually take place between Monday and Thursday when Parliament is sitting with Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons been the most favoured times as they usually present the best opportunity to catch the maximum members of Parliament. 

It is best to get in touch with your MP in advance of your visit Parliament, either in writing, by e-mail or by phone to make an appointment to see them on the day. 

However, if this has not been possible or your MP has not gotten back to you there are procedures in place to try and get in touch with your MP without an appointment. 

You will need to go to the main central lobby meeting area of the Houses of Parliament (Access is not normally allowed until after 2 PM) and ask at the desk to ”Green card” your MP, so-called because you are given a green card to fill in with both yours and your MPs details. 

Parliamentary officials will then seek to get noticed to your MP that they have a constituent waiting to lobby them. 

There is no guarantee that your MP will receive the message in time or be available to see you and you must sit and wait in central lobby for your MP to turn up or the clerk to give you a response.

Getting in touch with your MP

I can f you are not sure who your MP is then there are a couple of ways you can check this out:

Go to http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/ or via the “find your MP” link on the main Parliament website, all you need is your postcode.

The House of Commons information office and inform you who your MP is if you call them on (020) 7219 4272.

When you write or call your MP make sure you make clear they now you are a constituent as MPs are bound by Parliamentary rules to only help their own constituents. 

At this stage, don't go into too much detail about what you want to see them about, just simply stating of concerns and use local examples of possible and relevant.

When you see your MP.

when you see your MP, start from the bases of assuming they know nothing about the issues you raise, make sure you clearly set out who you are, identify yourself as a constituent, where you work and or the local services you use that could be at risk. 

Be sure to get the following points across in a clear, courteous and concise manner.

• Thank the MP for season you and establish how much time you have to talk to them.

• The background to the issue.

• How and why it impacts of you, use examples if you can.

• How it affects the MPs constituents, again use examples if you can.

• If possible, offer an alternative solution.

• Be specific on what your MP can do to help and what exactly you are asking them to do.

• Ask them to update you on what they do following your meeting.

What you can ask your MP to do in Westminster.

There are a number of things you can ask your MP to do to pursue your concerns in Parliament:

• Write to raise your concerns with the relevant government minister.

• Signed an early day motion (EDM), a short written statement that come raise awareness and support of an issue. 

MPs also quite like to use EDM’s reform local press stories, so bear that in mind.

• Raise issues through asking and writing Parliamentary questions.

• Raise matters with the Prime Minister at Prime Minister's questions (MPs are chosen for this through a ballot you could ask your MP to put in for it.)

If they do not hold a government position you could ask your MP to put in for a backbench debate on a particular issue. 

Again, this is decided by a ballot system but if successful a government minister will have to respond to the concerns represented in the debate.

After meeting your MP.

It is important that meeting your MP on this issue is just the start of it. 

Following the meeting you can:

• Write or e-mail to thank you MP for the meeting, being careful to outline any agreed actions on both sides.

• Keep in touch with your MP and what they are doing in support.

• Feedback to fellow members in your workplace and local community.

• Don't forget to let the union's political team know how you get on so that they can also follow your meeting up with MPs.

• You could always invite your MP to come along to a branch meeting, or if that is difficult invite them to meet with a number of colleagues outside of the workplace. 

Speak to your union about organising some sort of local press stunt or photo opportunity, you may want to involve your MP in this depending on the outcome of the meeting.

Lobbying the House of Lords.

Members of the House of Lords have an important role to play. It is offered in the Lords that the government loses a vote on legislation. Members attend the house on a voluntary basis and only a few have an office or any staff. A full list of Lords can be found that www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/id/idinfo.htm.

You can write to a member of the House of Lords the below address:

Name, Surname and title

House of lords,

London,

SW1A 0PW

www.rmtlondontaxibranch.co.uk  

Tel: 07899786433

londontaxi@rmt.org.uk