Letters to the editor: Please end this Southern shambles

Chris Grayling
AFP/Getty Images
15 December 2016
WEST END FINAL

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The shambles of the Southern rail dispute continues to rumble on and is now exacerbated with a full network closure this week and in January.

Since May, we have been suffering from the guards’ dispute. It has now escalated to a total shutdown, with no Southern services. Shuttle buses have not even been laid on for long-suffering customers. The unions and staff know how much disruption they can cause and the management appear to be as arrogant as their disenchanted staff.

The Government cannot rely on the unwavering support of people, such is the anger of many thousands of commuters affected by the dispute.

This cannot go on. This situation is crying for a resolution and after six months commuters have simply had enough. The Government should now intervene. If it means the franchise holder, Govia Thameslink Railway, is sacked and a new operator is assigned, so be it.

Anything would be preferable to the ludicrous situation we have now.
David Doe

The one piece of glad tidings the commuters of south-east London received this year was the news that our services were to be taken over by the excellent Transport for London. But last week we heard that Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has vetoed that plan, seemingly for petty party political reasons.

Even some of Grayling’s fellow Conservatives seem to think he should resign, and I heartily agree. I would love him to come and experience what the taxpayers of my neighbourhood have to put up with every day while we try to make a living and pay his salary. Failing that, I would welcome his resignation.
Christopher Crowe

Disappointingly, your leader on the Southern rail strike is somewhat one-sided, suggesting that in this argument the unions are completely wrong [“The South-East is at a standstill: it can’t go on”, Comment, December 13]. It notes that: “Commuters and businesses cannot be held to ransom by two unions.”

There is no mention, however, of the arrogant and intransigent approach of Southern’s management or their readiness to compromise passenger safety for greater profit.

The hint of more anti-union legislation tells us just how the Government is hoping to exploit the situation for its own ends. The reality is that the unions stand alone in defending passenger safety, and if “long-suffering commuters” want to blame those responsible, the real culprits are Southern and the Government behind them.
Charles Sawyer

Town hall facelift will come at a price

After reading your piece on Camden Town Hall (Camden plans £44m overhaul of town hall, December 8), I’m sure most people will be surprised to hear Camden council believes it can rent out the Camden Centre next door for £400,000 a year. But what I find disturbing is the lack of consultation.

The last time the Camden Centre was under the threat of closure, the council held discussions with interested parties but this time the decision seems to be taking place behind closed doors.

Our event, the London Drinker Beer and Cider Festival, takes place at the centre every March and next year will be our 33rd at the festival. Venues of this type and low cost are rare. If the Camden Cabinet agrees to the proposal 2018 would be our last year — and I have no doubt other events would soon follow.
Christine Cryne, Campaign for Real Ale North London

Congestion is not caused by Uber

There may be more private-hire vehicles in London, as Jim Armitage notes, but it is simplistic to claim this is the cause of congestion (“London’s Uber-busy roads are costing business dear”, City Comment, December 9).

A recent report from Inrix found the volume of car traffic on London’s roads is down since 2012. The figures show congestion worsening because of an increase in delivery vehicles and roadworks for cycle lanes.

Car-sharing apps such as uberPOOL can help by matching people heading the same way, enabling them to travel in one car to reduce emissions. A YouGov poll showed that more than a quarter of Londoners who used to own a car no longer do because they can use alternative transport. However, with a million Londoners still driving their own vehicle to work, there is a way to go.
Tom Elvidge, Uber London

I cannot agree with Jim Armitage’s suggestion to cap the number of London private-hire licences. Congestion is not caused by too many cabs but because traffic planners are cutting out lanes for motorised traffic on arterial routes.

TfL is already discouraging entrants to the trade, making drivers pay for English fluency tests to protect cab drivers from competition.
Andy Thompson

SNP should not stand in England

I don’t understand why Nicola Sturgeon is considering running SNP candidates in English constituencies. It is unlikely they would win a seat.

As a single-issue party, the SNP’s objective of a separate Scotland is only of passing interest to most outside Scotland. The result would see votes taken from Labour, ensuring more Tory success — and an increased chance of another Conservative government in 2020.
Martin Redfern

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