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Passenger Transport Liaison Group
Monday, 14th September 2026 at 6:30pm

 
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Thank you. The meeting is now live.
Good evening and welcome to this meeting of Passenger Transport Liaison Group.
My name is Councillor Noel Du and I will be chairing this meeting of the group.
So just wanted to cheque if there were any apologies. So far I've got Timothy D*** from
British Transport Police and Yvonne Leslie from Govea Thameslink Railway. Any other apologies?
Thank you, yeah, thank you, Chair. We've also got an apology from Jack Wharton, Network Rail.
Okay, thank you.
So it will proceed. So members of the group, I will call your names in order of the representative
group. Please switch on your microphone and confirm who you are and just introduce yourself
as I call your name. So I will start with Malcolm.
Yes, good evening, Chair. Malcolm Clarage, Network Performance Manager for First Bus
in London. Thank you. And if you could mute your microphone
after your introduction, please. Thank you. And then we'll go to Angeline.
Good evening, Chair. My name is Angeline Verrillo. I'm the roadside performance manager for
Go Ahead Duses. Thank you. And we'll go to Mr Flowers.
Michael Flowers, Democratic Services Officer and Clerk for the meeting.
Thank you. And we'll go to Councillor Yates, if you don't mind introducing yourself.
Hello again everyone and good evening yes I'm Councillor Jenny Yates I'm a
Councillor in Roehampton and I'm also the opposition speaker for transport.
Thank you and we'll go to Sidoni. Yes good evening my name is Sidoni
Forrest -Brown the senior transport planner for Wandsworth Council.
Councillor Osteen. Hello Councillor Nick Osteen, Member for
West Putney and Cabinet Member for Transport. Thank you. Mr. Tittle.
Yeah, hi everybody. David Tittle. I'm the Head of Transport Strategy for Wandsworth
Council. Thank you. And finally, Mr. Edwards.
Hi, my name is Peter Edwards and I'm Chief Executive of One to Earth Community Transport.
Thank you.
Okay, so we move on to agenda item number one.
So to confirm the minutes of the last meeting which was held on Wednesday the 25th of March
2026. I wasn't here so I'm not sure if anyone would like to approve or talk about it if
it's of any concern to those who are interested.
Yeah, Councillor Ayers. Yeah, thank you very much to Michael for the good minutes, which I thought
looked absolutely fine and happy to agree them but I did have some matters arising
chair if it would be all right to raise them they're just things on which I'd like updates
from officers. Yeah please. Yes so it was under item four busses on the in the minutes
I think it's on page six of our pack. The group queried if there'd been any update
on early bus curtailments at the Green Man. This relates to the Putney busses and
we could maybe discuss that when we get to it under the bus performance
statistics but it's an ongoing issue so I was hoping that James Pickard from TFL
could pick up on that. And then on the G1 bus route, I just wanted to note that
the TfL representative agreed to look into the bus route further and what options could be available
regarding improving the reliability of the service. So again, as James Picard isn't here, maybe
officers could follow up with TfL on that or I don't know if Mr Tiddley would have any update.
I can see Mr Tiddley had his hand up. I don't know if you wanted to comment on that. Or
you're mute. Thank you chair. I think a general point, it's quite rare for Transport for London
to not attend this meeting and at the same time for Network Rail to also not attend.
So we do seem to be a bit light on attendees and I'll do everything I can to ensure that
we do get attendance at the next meeting, particularly as we put these meetings online
in order that people didn't have to travel to the town hall from their bases scattered
throughout the South East. So hopefully we can get some improvement on that. I'm not
aware of an update on the Green Man specifically, but I'll be able to talk a little bit about
it when we come on to the item and similarly I think maybe I'll also discuss the G1 when we get
onto the bus indicators which I think is probably the next item on the agenda anyway.
Yeah thank you.
Yeah thank you chair and then under item six on the minutes on the underground because I wasn't
where this would come up on the agenda if I didn't raise it now. It says that there would be
improvement work to the signalling equipment. This is on the district line from East Putney Station.
So again I had been hoping we could get an update on that from Network Rail, but maybe it's something
Mr Tiddley could help with or could be followed up with Network Rail.
And then finally, under AOB, we had also discussed last time that there's an area
of land near East Putney. Bridges had been identified as potentially suitable
for repurposing as a nature reserve. And again, I was hoping we could get an
update on that.
Okay.
Thank you.
Mr Tiddley.
Yes, thank you. I'm certainly aware that the district line has had probably about 10 years
worth of improvements along it to things like signalling and upgrading and that work is
ongoing. I think just before the tennis tournament, I think there were works which were cancelled
as well. The district line continues to be a source of quite regular complaint about its
performance so again I'll get a more accurate update on where we are with that.
Yeah, thank you. Any other comments on the minutes of the last meeting? How shall we move on to the
next item if that's right. Yeah, Councillor Yatt. Yeah, thank you, Chair. David, there
was also that update on the land near the East Putney Station bridges that have been
identified as suitable for repurposing as a nature reserve. That was from the Network
Rail representative. I don't know if you've got any update on that. No, I think this is
the land, is it, between Four Park Road and the railway, which is sort of quite isolated,
sort of embankment area but I don't have an update again so I'll get one for you Councillor.
Okay thank you. So yeah next item is just any declaration of interest
that anybody would like to make.
Okay, so we'll move on to the next item. So it's the public transport passenger safety
just to discuss that relating to passenger safety in Wandsworth.
I'll just confirm, chair, that an update was sent by email to the group from the British
that was prior to this meeting so hopefully members have had a chance to read it but if
they have any questions I'm happy to pass them on to the representative.
Okay thank you. So yeah now we come to item number four which is the underground step
free access project. I think that's Mr Till if I'm correct.
Yes, again, it's one where we'd probably like a fuller update from Transport for London
on the sort of proposals and programme going forward. There were two stations in Wandsworth
which Transport for London have indicated they would like to consider for step -three
access. One is Tooting Broadway and primarily the sort of driver there is to help ensure
there's step -free access towards the St. George's Hospital. That scheme, however,
it's been looked at in the past and would be a very expensive project. It's a
deep station, a deep Northern Line station. Quite a lot of other stations
on the Northern Line are also inaccessible or not step -free. And I
where we were with the transport for London were just effectively scoping out what work
might need to be done to just provide some high level advice on how practical it would
be to deliver step free access there. The second station is East Putney and East Putney
is somewhat an easier station because it's simply a single flight of stairs and it's
the District Line station, which is Cut and Cover, and other stations along the route
are also already, or several other stations along the route, are already accessible. So
that was one where we were approached a few months ago from Transport for London, who
again wanted to discuss the programme for that, for looking into it anyway, and whether
were not, you know, the council was supportive of it and say to consider again the issues
about how long that might take and what it might cost and issues regarding to its sort
of priority in relation to other stations in London. As I said, I'll make sure that
we get an update for the next committee on both these but those were the two underground
stations with work for step free access on them. Thank you. Yeah, thank you. Any questions on that?
Okay, so we'll move on to the next item. So the next one is the busses item number five.
So the bus quality of service indicators. I think that's you again, Mr. Titliff.
Yeah, I usually just take a look because it's a spreadsheet of what can seem to be quite
indecipherable numbers. I tend to just take a look at it to see if there's anything that
might be worth highlighting. As a general rule, performance looks about the same as
the previous quarter and the previous time last year with a few ups and downs. Route
170 is interesting because that appears to be showing a deterioration from this time last year
and I'm not sure if the 170 is Angeline's or Malcolm's route. I do use it myself and it does
take a bit of time. I think is it go ahead or first Malcolm? It's certainly not first.
Right, okay.
It should be mine.
Bear with me.
I don't think I've actually got anything on here for the 170, but I can get you answers
if you need to.
I believe there might have been some roadworks on one end of that route, but I can get you
something back if that helps, Chair.
Yes, please.
Thank you.
I think for members it's a long route from Southampton all the way to Victoria via Clapham
Junction.
It is a little bit subject.
There was I believe some works around the Clapham Junction area.
I think that might have had a little bit of an impact and as you say it doesn't help because
it is such a long route David.
it can be hostage to that fact but I can get you a more precise answer if you'd like.
I can see Mr Flowers has his hand up. Thank you, it was just because I know Mr Edwards is his first
meeting in attendance from Wandsworth Community Transport and I know they're also involved in
busses so I thought he might also just want to introduce the work they do and give members a
of information around the bus services they provide for residents?
Thank you Michael and thank you chair for the opportunity. So if it's okay with the
meeting I'll just spend a couple of minutes just outlining who we are and what we do if
that's all right?
Yeah, no problem.
Thanks. So first of all on behalf of everyone at WCT, a big thank you to the local authority
for its support over many years. I understand the council has been a key partner. As you'll know,
Manuel Button retired as Managing Director earlier this year and I was appointed as Chief Executive
having led other charities in, well Christian charity providing food services and domestic abuse
support services and then a group of arms house charities. So I was very glad to join
Wandsworth Community Transport. In essence, we're about poverty alleviation and curbing isolation
loneliness through transport. We've got three or four work streams so shop mobility, taking
older people or those struggling mobility to Sainsbury and Garrett Lane. We do a lot of
send transport in partnership with the local authority and we have two work streams of outings,
silver day trippers for older people who are relatively mobile and can get to a central
meeting point. They go to seaside, Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne, pub lunches, garden centres
and then road runners for people who really need help getting from their door to similar
locations really, places of interest locally and the seaside. I'm very
impressed with the charity both its long -serving staff, levels of motivation
and care and the fact it's quite lean. There's only six or seven staff if
you like in the head office and shot mobility. The remainder are drivers so
So just to round up, we've got a turnover of about a million.
We're trying to diversify income, perhaps like every charity in the patch and every
charity you speak to and councils themselves.
We know that the funding climate is a bit different to 10 or 20 years ago.
But Wandsworth has been a great support under various administrations.
We're keen to continue our work, grow our income and be accountable.
and of course as always we're keen to access those hard to reach groups. We hope everything
we do supports essentials like food shopping, it supports young people with disabilities
going to school and older people not just finding community and friendship but also
all the physical, mental and cognitive benefits that come with not being isolated and having
community and contacts. So although I'm fairly new and I can't take credit for
much of the good work of the charity, I hope we'll continue to have a very good
relationship with the local authority in the years ahead and good to meet you all today.
Thank you for that introduction. I'm not sure if anybody wanted to ask Mr.
it was any questions about the charity.
Okay thank you, so we'll move on to item numbers, oh sorry, Councillor Yerrit.
Sorry chair, yes well first of all just to say thank you Peter and yeah Ronsworth Community
Transport does an amazing job, it's so important I know to so many elderly residents, isolated
residents so thank you very much for all you do and I do hope the council will continue the support.
And yes then I had a question it was again about the 85 and Malcolm I think first bus runs the 85
doesn't it so I wondered if you had any comments on the performance of the 85. I continue to get
complaints about the service curtailing at the Green Man. So yeah, is there
anything that you could tell us about the 85? And then I'm not sure whether
anyone who covers the 493, but I've also had concerns raised about that. It
doesn't really look to me from the data that the data doesn't seem to be showing
problems with it, but then if anyone had any information about poor performance of
493 that's being reported by residents? I can certainly update you on the 85
Councillor from the 27th of June which is not that long ago the service was
increased adding one extra bus which adds about 10 minutes time so hopefully
that should have reduced the curtailment at the Green Man substantially though I
know we've had roadworks at both ends and in the middle of that route so the roadworks
as you know are what kills us. So it should have improved. I can see Mr Tidd, oh sorry
Councillor Yates if you wanted to add to that. Oh well I'm happy to let Mr Tiddly go first
perhaps he had something to add before I... No I didn't add, I had another issue Councillor
So please, please go ahead.
Yeah, Malcolm, thank you very much for that.
And that's really good news about the additional bus.
I just wanted to pick up again
on the question I raised under Matters Arising.
Mr. Tidleigh, would it be possible for you
to see if we can get any curtailment data from TfL?
Because we never ever get any data about curtailments.
We just get lots of ongoing complaints about curtailments,
but they're not in their key performance indicator, so they don't report on them.
Yes, I'll chase TfL and find out about the number of curtailments.
I actually think it's probably quite low, but it seems a lot for users of the service
when you do get kicked off the bus at the Green Man, obviously.
But I'll find out for you.
Thank you.
The issue I just wanted to raise was one that you raised earlier on G1.
I noted that again that the G1 performance seems to have improved.
It's still pretty poor, it has to be said, but again it looks like it's actually been a noticeable improvement since the last time this was reported.
Thank you.
Yes. Okay, thank you. Any other questions on item five?
Okay, so we'll move on to item six, which is trains and overground. I think that's
Sidoni, if I'm correct? Yes, that's correct. Also, David, I shared a visual with you. I'm not sure
you're able to share your screen but let me have a look. I was just going to talk you through,
so Wandsworth Town Station. So the council secured funding from developers of the nearby sites at
Wandsworth Town Station to deliver a second entrance on the north side of the station.
So we've been working closely with Network Rail over the past few years to develop the second
entrance scheme alongside the access for all project which will see lifts
installed to each of the four platforms and that will provide full step free
access from street level to platform. The council is investing a significant
amount of funding to enable both schemes to go ahead and the total cost is around
20 million pounds. Work started on site in February this year and is due to take
around 18 months to complete with so that will have the all of the lifts and
the new entrance due to enter into service next late summer 2027. I attend
regular update meetings with the project team and at the last meeting at the end
of August they reported this the scheme is progressing well over the summer the
piling works was taking place and that's nearing completion they've now completed
27 of the 36 piles with the remaining works to be completed by the end of September.
There weren't any issues on site which is great and that's all been going really well.
Over the summer there were some, if you use the station you may have noticed there were some
changes to the train stopping arrangements and that required the part -time closure of platform 2
just for a few hours throughout the day and that was managed really well and there seemed to be
minimal disruption to passengers. We have regular comms meetings as well with our
comms team and Network Rail. We make sure all the key milestones are advertised in
advance and keep passengers up to date of any changes. So I think all of that
worked really well. We didn't receive any complaints from any residents and
Platform 2 is now fully reopened and back in operational use. Network Rail, I
hoping they could provide more of an update tonight but they gave me a little bit of information
recently that they're exploring opportunities to increase social value benefits within the local
area linked to the project. So they're looking at engagement with a local food bank and they're
investigating options for retail unit at the station and also working with local schools to
promote rail safety awareness. So they've included some information that's been circulated by my
colleagues on the school travel team to the local schools and also looking at the possibility
of a new mural on the north side of the station.
And that is the update really.
If there's any questions, I'm happy to take any questions.
Oh, and that's the visual there.
That was my question, whether or not people can see the visual.
Yeah, so this is the new entrance on the north side of the station, which is Odyssey Way,
which is where the former B &Q site was and the home -based site on the north.
And then the three lifts will come from street level up to each of the platforms.
You can see platform one, platform two and three, which is the island platform and platform
four at the end.
So they will just come straight up from individually each lift to each platform.
And there won't be a bridge connecting them or anything.
And yeah, I think that's the update. I mean, the good news is the project is going well and there's been no major issues so far.
Yeah, thank you. Any questions on that? If anyone wants to raise anything.
Councillor Osteen. Thank you, Chair. It's not specifically on
this actually and I don't think we're going to get the answer to this this evening. I
just want it noted for future is that obviously I think the councillors will know that there
is a demonstration happening at Wimbledon station on Thursday with regards to the signalling
issues on the district branch line between Earls Court and Wimbledon. It's disappointing
that Transport for London aren't here to give us an update on this. And it would be hugely,
hugely appreciated, I think for myself and from Councillor Yates, especially, and that
we get a comprehensive update on how this issue is going to be tackled at the next liaison
committee meeting please. Thank you. Councillor Ayers? Yes that would be very helpful as Councillor
Austin says to get that update and all I was going to say was to thank Sedona for that
update on Wandsworth Town Station. I'm really pleased to hear it's all on track and proceeding
to timetable. It's such an important project for residents and would be fantastic to have that
second entrance open and the lifts working and obviously council's investing a lot of money in it.
So yeah great to hear it's on track. Thank you.
So just to ask on the Wandsley town, is it still, I think it was 11 to 2 p .m. in the morning.
It's closed, isn't it?
No, the platform's back in use now. Those part -time closures were completed over the summer.
So there shouldn't be any more platform closures now.
Oh, okay. I keep avoiding it because I live in Wonsworth town.
Oh, okay. Yeah.
Yeah, okay.
It's good news. It's all back up. Yeah.
You still have to walk over the bridge, Councillor, but the trains are stopping.
Yeah, okay. All right, thank you. Any further questions on item one of trains and overgrant?
If not, we'll go to the second entrance on Queenstown Road at the life. Any updates on
that? It's one that I can pick up on Councillor but again, it's one that probably needs a
more lengthy bit of feedback from Network Rail. Again, as a bit of background, Queenstown Road
has an entrance onto Queenstown Road itself and this new development has been built.
Battersea Exchange, I believe it's called, but one of the new developments off Battersea Park Road,
9 alms has effectively provided a new entrance into the station, which effectively shortens
walking distances for lots of people going to Queenstown Road from the new developments.
The latest I'm aware of is that whilst the entrance has been constructed, it's still
not actually open to the public yet. And I think that that's really the key part. I think
been totally completed. So it's just sitting there as a nice signed new entrance but it's
just got just boarded up I think at the moment and we just need to probably get a formal
sort of programme network rail as to when that station entrance will be open.
Yeah thank you, it will be nice to know. I'm sure everyone is keen to have it open.
Any questions on that? I don't know if anybody will let you go.
Okay so I think that brings us to all the items and now we come to item number seven.
Any other business?
Yeah Mr Tiddle. Well I was going to raise it as any other business.
Councillor Austin's already raised it really, which was a district line that we've received
several comments through from users and from councillors, including the leader and the
local Putney councillors relating to the district line. And it will be, I think, useful to ensure
we get that as a main agenda item next time and potentially even before that get an update.
That seems to me to be a critical issue. Thanks.
Yeah, thank you. Any other business from anybody?
Okay, Councillor Yates. Yes, I hope you don't remind me raising this colleagues but I can't,
unfortunately, I can't do the date of the next meeting on Monday the 16th of November so
obviously you could go ahead without me but I wanted to ask whether committee members might
very kindly be willing to consider moving the meeting, but I know that can be difficult.
But so it's just a question and yes, like I say, I'm terribly sorry, I'm not able to join on the 16th of November.
Okay, thank you. Yeah, I guess we'll have to see if any other day is available or let
the officers look into it and then we'll see.
I'm happy to do that, Sharon, and keep this date in the diary while exploring whether
we can move it to a new date based on group availability.
Yeah.
Thank you very much.
Okay, thank you. So the next meeting date which will be on the 16th of November.
Question mark.
Yeah, question mark. And then yeah, hope to see everyone there on an alternative date.
And thank you for your time today.
I think I'm just on I'm usually being accommodating as possible. I think the key factor in this
is TFL on that meeting. I think we need to make sure that they are at that meeting, especially
to answer the question, not that the rest of you on equally as valuable. But with the
signalling issues, I think it is is there is imperative that they are at that meeting in
order to answer those questions.
Especially after Thursday we'll see what happens.
I'll leave Mr Flowers to work it back from there.
I can see Markham's got his hand up.
Yeah, as Angeline will verify, I don't usually defend TfL but I think James is actually on holiday, sir.
Oh no, I'm not saying that at all.
As much as I'd like you to pick on him and not me.
No, absolutely. But no, no, no, it's not that. It's just I think we've got a lot of outstanding
matters as a result of this meeting that I don't think we can hold over from the to the
next after the next meeting. So if Mr. Powers works back from TFLs availability and, and
then work back from there, and hopefully we can come up with something just to let you
know that I know myself and Councillor D 'Olivere were away the week before so maybe later on
that week might be helpful for everyone. Thank you for all your time and thanks for joining.