Road closures in central London for the World Triathlon Grand Final - 11 to 15 September.

Road users advised to avoid driving near the route of the Triathlon, particularly around Hyde Park Corner, and in Westminster and the City of London on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September. 

Transport for London (TfL) is advising road users, including bus passengers, to check if their journeys this week will be affected by the road closures in place for the World Triathlon Grand Final and to plan ahead.
 
Thousands of triathletes, including Olympic medal winners Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, will compete on the same course used last summer in the London 2012 Olympic Games, with closed roads in and around Hyde Park, Westminster and the City of London.

From Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 September the triathlon will be limited to Hyde Park. 

On Saturday 14 September a number of major roads in central London, including Hyde Park Corner, Park Lane and roads around St James Park and Buckingham Palace will be closed in the morning.

The same roads will be closed for most of the day on Sunday 15 September, while a number of additional roads - including Whitehall, Southwark Bridge, Victoria Embankment, Lower and Upper Thames Street - will be closed until the early afternoon. 

TfL's key travel advice ahead of the World Triathlon Grand Final is: 
 
The on-street Triathlon Events on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September will take place on fully closed roads. 

Avoid driving near the route in Westminster and the City of London, in particular:

• Hyde Park Corner
• Park Lane from Marble Arch towards Hyde Park Corner
• Constitution Hill, Link Road, Spur Road
• Birdcage walk, Great George Street
• The Mall, Horse Guards Road, Marlborough Road

On Sunday 15 September there will be significant road closures in Westminster and the City of London including:

• Northumberland Avenue, Victoria Embankment
• Southwark Bridge
• Lower and Upper Thames to Tower Hill
• Parliament Square
• Whitehall, Parliament Street

Plan ahead

 

A number of Barclays Cycle Hire docking stations on the route will be suspended.

Additionally due to an upgrade of the operating system the scheme will be unavailable to unregistered users as new upgrades are implemented over the weekend.

Public transport, walking and cycling will be the best ways to get around the area. 

If driving is your only option, please allow more time for your journey or travel at a different time if possible.

Buses in the area will be on diversion or will finish earlier than usual due to the road closures.
 
Leon Daniels, Transport for London's Managing Director of Surface Transport said: 'After last year's amazing Games, London continues to show the world we are the go-to destination to host major international sporting events. 

'The World Triathlon Grand Final this week will bring excitement and draw crowds as will the final day of The Tour of Britain next Sunday 22 September.  I would encourage drivers and bus passengers to avoid the route if possible 'and plan their journeys ahead so that they don't get caught out and can continue to get around.'
 
The last day of the Tour of Britain will also take place on full closed roads in Westminster and the City of London next Sunday, 22 September. 

Road users are again asked to avoid driving near the route and advised to plan ahead and use public transport to make the most of everything going on in central London that weekend. 

Source: TfL website 

"The time for the alternative party of labour is now.” Says Bob Crow.

At a pre TUC Rally on Sunday lunchtime in Bournemouth, RMT General Secretary Bob Crow will ramp up the call to the trade union movement to support the creation of a “new party of labour” to challenge head on the pro-business, anti-worker agenda of the three main political parties, Tory, Labour and Liberals.

The call comes in the wake of the decision by the GMB union to make serious cuts to its Labour affiliation levels, a decision which has sparked off a major debate in the trade union movement about the future of working class political representation

    Speaking in advance of the TUC, RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“The whole issue of the political representation of the working class now stands at the crossroads and we need to be bold enough to seize this opportunity. Over the past two months we have seen Ed Miliband dancing to the tune of Tony Blair and the rest of the New Labour conspirators as he seeks to hack away at the last remaining shreds of influence held by those who created the Party that he leads, the trade unions.

“RMT’s message is simple. If others want to stick around and be insulted by those whose only interest is our money and not our ideas then that’s a matter for them, for the rest, there is a whole world of opportunity outside the constraints of the Labour Party and RMT would urge them to embrace it and join us in this new political project.

“As the consensus grows that Labour no longer represents the interests of the vast majority of trade union members the question that throws up is "Who Does?" That is a question RMT will be posing in Bournemouth this weekend as we assemble for what now looks like one of the most timely TUC congresses in recent years.

 “RMT was expelled from the Labour Party almost a decade ago and in that time we have actually increased our political influence as we have had the freedom to back candidates and parties who demonstrate clear support for this trade union and its policies. If others now join us after the contempt that they have been shown by Ed Miliband then together we have a world to win. This is a moment of huge opportunity for all those sick and tired of Labour’s embrace of pro-business, pro-EU, neo-liberal policies and we should seize it with both hands.

 “Millions of working people are sick and tired of being treated as voting fodder by Labour and the time is right to start building an alternative political party that speaks for the working people and the working class communities that find themselves under the most brutal attack from cuts and austerity in a generation. Clinging to the wreckage of a Labour Party that didn’t lift a finger to repeal the anti-union laws despite 13 years in power is a complete waste of time. The time for the alternative party of labour is now.”

 

SERCO BARCLAYS CYCLE HIRE INDUSTRIAL ACTION SUSPENDED

Industrial Action Suspended - Breakdown in Industrial Relations, Serco Barclays Cycle Hire

TO ALL RMT MEMBERS – LONDON CYCLE HIRE SCHEME

Dear Colleagues,

INDUSTRIAL ACTION SUSPENDED

BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS SERCO BARCLAYS CYCLE HIRE

I write to advise you that the current industrial action has been suspended. All RMT London Cycle Hire Scheme members are now instructed to work normally, with immediate effect. 

Firstly I wish to pay tribute and congratulate members on the industrial action you have taken and for what you have achieved. Your General Grades Committee has decided to suspend the current industrial action short of strike action, as we are mindful of the hardship incurred by you through your steadfast actions. 

Your General Grades Committee will be reconsidering this matter within the next couple of weeks, as we continue to pursue recognition with the company. However we are still in dispute with the company on this matter and remain available for further talks to resolve this dispute.

Once again I would like thank you for all support and I will write to you shortly updating you on further developments, as matters progress.

Yours Sincerely

 

Bob Crow

General Secretary 

The Brian Munro Cancer Fighting Fund Auction

Submitted by Pete on 23 August, 2013 - 21:33

We are auctioning these fantastic prizes which have been donated by transport companies across the UK. This auction is in aid of the Brian Munro Cancer Fighting Fund. You can find out more about the fund here.

Email your bid and lot numbers to rmtlondon@gmail.com

A full explanation and some 'small print' is detailed below.

The Items for Auction

Brian Munro Cancer Fighting Fund Lot 1 - minimum £100 A P & O Hull to Zebrugge / Rotterdam mini cruise for 2 people Rotterdam - The world's largest harbour city, full of head-turning architecture, modern art displays and breezy open spaces, is well know for its wonderful international atmosphere and big-city attitude. Whilst you take in the architecture and soak up the international atmosphere, why not sample the local beers, jenever and special liqueurs on offer. Enjoy the energetic and ethnic bohemianism which is reflected in the shops and restaurants. Many Amsterdamers weekend in Rotterdam as they love the faster pace of life.

Brian Munro Cancer Fighting Fund Lot 2 - minimum £100 A cab ride on the Northern Line The Northern line has its roots in two separate railways: The 5.25 km (3.26 mile) City and South London Railway - the world's first electric deep-level tube line - which opened in 1890 and ran from King William Street in the City to Stockwell; and the Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway, which opened in 1907. The line carries over 200 million passengers a year serving 50 stations over 36 miles. This is a rare opportunity to experience the job of one of London Underground's train operators from the driving cab of a Northern Line train

Brian Munro Cancer Fighting Fund Lot 3 - minimum £75 A collection of London Underground and London Underground 150 goodies which includes LU150: How The Tube Shaped London book LU150 anniversary pin badge set LU150 two coin set LU150 fridge magnet LU mug LU paperweight LU map Oyster Card holder LU150 A5 notepad On 9 January 1863 the world’s first underground train pulled out of Paddington station to make the first passenger journey - 3½-miles under the streets of London from Paddington to Farringdon and into the record books. Now you have the chance to win some of London Underground's souvenirs, for the 150th anniversary, and other goodies too.

Brian Munro Cancer Fighting Fund Lot 4 - minimum £50 First Great Western Tickets A free first class trip for two, courtesy of First Great Western, on the areas of the railway network that they cover. See First Great Western's network here.

Brian Munro Cancer Fighting Fund Lot 5 - minimum £100 Two pairs of return journey first class tickets for use on the rail network operated by Grand Central, valid for use in 2013. You can see Grand Central's routes . travel in luxury with this chance to get two pairs of first class tickets on Grand Central trains - use them when you wish in 2013

Brian Munro Cancer Fighting Fund Lot 6 - minimum £300 A return trip on Stena Line from Harwich to Hoek van Holland for a car and upto 4 people including overnight stay in a cabin both ways.

Brian Munro Cancer Fighting Fund Lot 7 - £200 An 'Isle of Man Steam Package Company' return ferry crossing for a car and two people

How to bid

If you wish to make a bid email us at rmtlondon@gmail.com. Your email should include the lot number and your bid. Separate each bid if you are bidding on more than one lot. Your bid must be greater than the minimum bid given for each lot.

Here is an example:

We will publish the highest bids for each lot daily, up until midday the day before the auction closes. If your bid is successful, you'll be informed by email on the closing date of 22nd of September.

Remember you should bid again if you see your original bid has been beaten.

Email your bid and lot numbers to rmtlondon@gmail.com

If your bid is successful you must then pay the amount you have bid by noon on the 27th of September via our paypal account. If the money isn't received by then, the second highest bidder will be offered the prize and have a further 7 days to claim and so on.

Please bare in mind this is a charity auction, being held in support of the Brian Munro Cancer Fighting Fund. We believe prizes to be as described; however they come from a variety of sources so details could vary slightly, or dates could be restricted for some items such as the P&O cruise or Northern Line cab ride. If you want more detail on any of the prizes email us at bmcff.auction@rmtlondoncalling.org.uk and we will try to find out. Some of the prizes may come in the form of a voucher from the relevant company.

Good luck everyone!

» 

• 

PRESS RELEASE FROM EARL’S COURT ACTION GROUP (ECAAG) 27.08.2013

EARLS COURT GEARS UP TO CONTEST PICKLES DECISION

Hot on the heels of the announcement that Eric Pickles, Minister for Communities and Local Government and his Planning Under Secretary Nick Boles, would be supporting Boris Johnsons’ decision to allow the Earls Court Masterplan to proceed unchecked, the impacted communities have been swift to react.

Councillor Linda Wade said :

‘Despite the fact that campaigners had clearly outlined the negative impact on local residents, on hoteliers, on small business owners as well as on commuters and tourists, the Minister has dismissed all concerns. Moreover Eric Pickles' decision not to call in the planning applications for the Earl's Court and West Kensington Opportunity Area and not to have a transparent public inquiry has been announced during the summer holidays whereas the Save Earl's Court campaign had been led to believe that his decision would be announced in September’.

It seems that the creation of a 25 year 77acre building site in the midst of W London’s major arterial traffic routes, the demolition of an iconic building which generates billions per annum to the national economy, the excavation and flattening of the Lillie Bridge Depot and the large scale impact on local residents’ and traders’ quality of life for communities in both Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington & Chelsea are deemed to meet a ‘no significant impact’ criteria.

Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith said :                                                                                                   

West Ken and Earl's Court residents didn't expect Eric Pickles to do them any favours, developers always come before communities with this Government.  But it has given us time to prepare a legal challenge to the planning consent which the Councils will now sign off.  In fact, the slipshod way this decision has been made may give us another way of defeating the development.  The Secretary of State says he will not to call in the planning application because it will not affect economic growth or housing needs, go wider than a single local authority or give rise to national controversy.  It is a matter of fact that this scheme does all of this.  It is the largest development under consideration in London, with an £8 billion value, almost no affordable housing and spanning two London boroughs.  Not allowing a Public Inquiry may be unlawful as well as undemocratic.'

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has clearly not listened to national and local businesses; to MPs; to residents in both LBHF and RBKC; to the Musicians' Union and others who appreciate our cultural heritage.  Neither has he listened to the 6,000 people who petitioned him; to the Association of Event Organisers who represent the Exhibition Industry as a whole; to the RMT and UNITE unions who represent the Lillie Bridge Depot workers and who have both come out in support of local businesses and residents; nor to the tenants of the West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates who face a very uncertain future.                                                                                                                                                                          

Is this a done deal now? The answer is NO!

The Save Earl's Court campaign will fight on with the help of both the RMT and UNITE the Union; the Association of Event Organisers and the many people who support our campaign. 

On hearing of the Secretary of State's decision, Steve Hedley, Assistant General Secretary of the RMT said this morning: "The RMT will continue to give its full support and assistance to the Save Earl's Court campaign".

Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe, UNITE's Regional Industrial Officer said this afternoon. "UNITE the Union's commitment to the Save Earl's Court campaign continues. Solidarity! "

On hearing about Pickles' decision, local resident for over 40 years and renowned artist Duggie Fields said:

"Nothing surprising and certainly laughable to read that it has been 'carefully considered'........but then it is being 'considered' by people who can't think of consequences beyond the instant money fix that they are so dazzled by. The impact on the wider community is something that they refuse to consider, leaving the mess created for the future when they won't be around to be held responsible. Arrogant, un-principled, short-termism. Nothing new, and currently happening all over London now under this foolish regime."

When coupled with the recent revelations about the Mayor and Government’s lack of understanding or awareness about the urgent need to re-visit Southbank building plans in order to safeguard the international heritage status of the Houses of Parliament, it must be asked – are these people fit to govern?

 

ENDS

 

The Earl’s Court Area Action Group is not aligned to any particular party or political movement and is comprised of:

The Association of Event Organisers

The Friends of Brompton Cemetery

West Kensington and Gibbs Green Estates residents

Residents of Earl's Court and North End Wards

Ranks Update: 22 August 2013

Below is the latest taxi ranks update to help keep you informed. Follow the links provided for more information.

News

NewFetter Lane 

Between Holborn Circus and Bartlett Court will be closed from 7pm on the 23 August until 5am 27 August.

Kenwood House – Live by the Lake concerts

A taxi rank has been appointed to serve Kenwood House during the Live by the Lake concerts taking place in August and September. The taxi rank is on the northern side of Hampstead Lane, just to the west of Compton Avenue. The rank is in Haringey but has been designated as an island rank for Barnet drivers too.

The dates of the concerts and the time when the rank becomes operational are as follows:

-        Friday 23 August, 22:00 

-        Saturday 24 August, 22:00 

-        Sunday 25 August, 21:30 

-        Friday 30 August, 22:00 

-        Saturday 31 August, 22:00 

-        Sunday 1 September, 19:30

 

The rank will be marshalled for the first weekend and monitored to see how well it works and is used by drivers.

Tobacco Dock, 4 September 2013

On Wednesday 4 September a large corporate event is taking place at Tobacco Dock, 50 Porters Walk,  London, E1W 2SF. Approximately 3,000 people will be attending and there is expected to be a high demand for taxis.  

A temporary taxi rank has been set up for the event and this will be in the Tobacco Dock car park on level 6, access is via Pennington Street.

The event finishes at 23:00 but people are expected to start leaving before this and the rank will be marshalled by professional taxi marshals from 20:00.   

North Greenwich Station taxi rank relocation

The essential works are still ongoing at North Greenwich Station and the temporary taxi rank is still in operation.  

 

The temporary taxi rank is in the area used by taxis during the 2012 Games, which is normally used as the private hire pick-up area after events.

Tour of Britain – Sunday 22 September 2013

On Sunday 22 September 2013 the final stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race takes place in London. The race route goes along Tower Hill, Lower Thames Street, Upper Thames Street, Victoria Embankment and around Whitehall.

 

The first race is scheduled to start at 10:00 and the final race is scheduled to end at 17:30.

 

More information about stage 8 of the event is available here and attached is a map showing the route.

ITU World Triathlon Grand Final – Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 September 2013

Between Wednesday 11 September and Sunday 15 September 2013 the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final takes place. The event takes place in central London and there will be some road closures in place, these are as follows:

 

Wednesday 11 – 13 September 2013

-        From Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 September the roads in Hyde Park will be closed to traffic. This will include South Carriage Drive, West Carriage Drive and North Carriage Drive.

Saturday 14 September

-        Roads in Hyde Park will remain closed throughout the day

 

In addition the following roads will be closed:

-        Hyde Park Corner: (underpass Knightsbridge/Piccadilly stays open) 06:30 – 11:30

-        Park Lane from Marble Arch towards Hyde Park Corner: 06:30 – 11:30

-        Constitution Hill, Link Road, Spur Road: 05:00 – 12:00

-        Birdcage Walk, Great George Street: 05:00 – 12:00

-        The Mall, Horse Guards Road, Marlborough Road: From 05:00

 

Road Closures Sunday 15 September

-        Roads in Hyde Park will remain closed throughout the day

 

In addition the following roads will be closed:

-        Hyde Park Corner: 05:30 – 16:00

-        Park Lane from Marble Arch towards Hyde Park Corner 05:30 – 16:00

-        Constitution Hill, Link Road, Spur Road: 04:00 – 17:00

-        Birdcage Walk, Great George Street: 04:00 – 17:00

-        Whitehall Place: 05:00 – 13:00

-        Northumberland Avenue, Victoria Embankment: 05:00 – 13:00

-        Southwark Bridge: 06:00 – 12:30

-        Lower & Upper Thames to Tower Hill: 06:00 – 12:30

-        Parliament Square (single lane closure between Great George St and Whitehall): 06:30 – 13:00

-        The Mall, Horse Guards Road, Marlborough Road: 00:00 – 21:00

-        Whitehall, Parliament Street: 06:30 – 13:00

 

Roads adjoining the closed route will have restricted access for local residents and businesses.

 

More information about the event can be found on the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final website.

Marylebone Station

There are ongoing works in Harewood Avenue resulting in the northbound lane being closed between Hayes Place and Harewood Row but the southbound lane is still open and the taxi rank is still working as normal.

Hornchurch

We’ve received reports of taxis being left unattended on the taxi rank outside Costa Coffee in Hornchurch. This taxi rank operates 24 hours a day and taxis must not be left unattended on it, as ultimately this risks the rank being reviewed and if it is not used as a ‘working’ rank then potentially being revoked.

Bishopsgate works

Essential carriageway and utility works are being carried out in the Bishopsgate area on the Bank Holiday weekend and also on the following weekend.

From Saturday 24 August until Monday 26 August 2013 Bishopsgate will be closed northbound and there are essential works taking place at the junction with Liverpool Street. This will result in the Liverpool Street taxi rank not being accessible this weekend but the rank inside the station will still be available.

Between Saturday 31 August and Sunday 01 September 2013 there will also be a northbound closure of Bishopsgate but the Liverpool Street taxi rank should be accessible from Bishopsgate.

Although these works will cause some disruption they are being carried out at the weekend to try and minimise the disruption caused to road users, including taxi drivers. The works are essential and involve repairing parts of the carriageway and urgent utility repair works.

 

Bressenden Place – taxi drop offs

Please don’t forget that 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.

 

A dedicated taxi drop-off space has 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 these 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.

  

 

Ranks Update, 19th August 2013.

Grosvenor Gardens Taxi Shelter.

From Monday 5 August 2013 there will be some changes to the Grosvenor Gardens refreshment shelter rank.

The new rank will be in three portions and the details are below:

 The following rules regarding the refreshment shelter rank apply:

a. Only drivers using the refreshment shelter can park their taxi on the refreshment rank

b. Drivers can park their taxis on the rank for a maximum of 45 minutes

Regent Street by Heddon Street.

A new rank for 6 Taxis has been appointed for Regent Street by the entrance to Heddon Street. It is hoped that this will stop the touting and illegal plying for hire seen at this location, Earlier this year 2 touts were convicted of raping a young lady picked up from this area.

Marylebone Station Taxi Rank Feed.

For the next six months, the Taxi rank feed for Marylebone Station in Harewood Avenue will only be accessable southbound from Rossmore Road. From 19th August, Harewood Avenue will be closed northbound but the taxi rank and feed will still remain operational.