Question 5: Public transport is getting worse here everyday. What would you differently?

One of the reasons I moved to Herne Hill was because of the transport links via the Thameslink (First Capital Connect) line. I don’t drive and so rely fully on public transport to get around.
Every time something goes wrong, it means we are late for work, late home or waiting outside in the rain for 45 minutes only for a bus to speed by fully packed with passengers.

The issue with buses happened so often that I started a campaign to get new and improved Countdown signs for buses all over the area, so that we are better informed about what is going on.

I am particularly dismayed that the Thameslink service may be terminating at Blackfriars in the near future and I promise to do my best to fight against this and to get additional services and links to this area.

Like a lot of South London, we are suffering from a legacy of under-investment. Unlike East London, we haven’t had anyone in parliament fighting for a new tube station or a new train link. This is what I promise to do if I become the MP here. Transport investment requires a long-term strategic vision from a community’s representative. They shouldn’t just be popping up when things have gone badly wrong as we saw with the First Capital Connect issue last winter.

Our manifesto gives a few pledges that will help :

1) We will turn the rail regulator into a powerful passenger champion and reform Network Rail to make it more accountable to its customers.
This will stop the situation where decisions and cuts are made such as the South London Line with the local community having no power or say and are just told what will be during “consultations”..

2) We will introduce a moratorium on building on disused rail lines still in public ownership, so they are available to be re-opened.
There are loads of moribund lines around this constituency that can be brought back into use.

2) Britain has the chance to lead the world in making our transport system greener. So we will introduce incentives for electricity network operators to establish a new national car recharging network, making it much easier for drivers to move to electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

3) We will support sustainable travel initiatives that work best for local communities by:
• giving the concerns of cyclists much greater priority;
• encouraging partnerships between bus operators and local authorities; and,
• helping people cut down on work-related travel.