Delivering on one of his campaign priorities to seek improvements to the Tube, Matthew has spent time in the Parliamentary Recess meeting with London Underground and visiting every Tube station in the constituency. Matthew also took the opportunity to experience the Tube train simulator at Edgware. This provided a chance to drive a train in front of a screen that faithfully reproduces the line between Edgware and Hendon Central stations.
The Northern Line from Edgware travels the length of the constituency with the branch line of Mill Hill East heading over to Finchley. Each station faces different problems. Edgware is a major transport interchange with lots of people passing through. This not only causes congestion issues but also confusion as passengers continue with their journeys by bus or mini cab. Edgware will also be the last station on the line to receive the signalling upgrade in the summer of 2013 and this causes confusion with the dot matrix information board when drivers exit the cab of the incoming train and exit for the return to central London.
Burnt Oak station is also busy as it is the last station in Zone 4. Commuters travel by car to Burnt Oak and park in the streets surrounding the station and then continue with their journey. This causes problems for local residents but the Council’s decision to reduce the parking charges in the Watling Market car park has, according to London Underground staff, helped the problem.
The significant amount of regeneration and rebuilding work in Colindale will have an impact upon the number of passengers passing through this station. Consequently, Barnet Council has drawn up a Colindale Area Action Plan, which is designed to ensure housing, employment, leisure, community facilities and infrastructure provision is developed appropriately. Work has started has already started on the station and this has resulted in the removal of the upper parts that will be refitted with a new facia.
Hendon Central is one of the busier stations as it is a bus interchange and is also the closest station to Brent Cross. Finally, access to the back of Mill Hill East station is causing a problem as graffiti vandals trespass on to the line and damage the trains. The British Transport Police are working with the Virgin Active fitness centre to improve CCTV
Matthew said: “London Underground is making changes and these have resulted in some improvements. I am pleased that the Mayor refused the request to close the Northern Line every weekend on a regular basis for upgrade works but they are still going ahead. One of my campaign priorities was to seek improvements as I use the Tube to get to work, just like many of my constituents. I therefore share their experience and frustrations. That’s what it means to be a truly local MP”.
Photo: Matthew is pictured serving customers at Hendon Central Station