Asbestos found at Brixton Tube - Closure

[Anna Key]

Originally posted by Justin
... they don't answer their emails more than once every two months...

They always answer my emails immediately. With an automated response saying they're really busy.

You then wait a week, email again and receive an automated response saying they're really busy.

You then email seeking a copy of their complaints procedure so you can complain about them not answering your emails. And receive an automated response saying they're really busy.

You then email to ask for a copy of their complaints procedure so you can complain about them not sending you a copy of their complaints procedure because you wanted to complain about them not answering your emails.

And receive an automated response saying they're really busy.


It's great!

 

[Donna Ferentes]

Originally posted by Minnie_the_Minx
Are you talking about the 222 1234 number?

I dunno actually. Since I've been pursuing my Central Line refund for eight months and have still to receive a declaration on the subject, the very thought of so much as looking up an enquiry number leeches me of the will to live.

Originally posted by Anna Key
They always answer my emails immediately. With an automated response saying they're really busy.

You then wait a week, email again and receive an automated response saying they're really busy.

You then email seeking a copy of their complaints procedure so you can complain about them not answering your emails. And receive an automated response saying they're really busy.

You then email to ask for a copy of their complaints procedure so you can complain about them not sending you a copy of their complaints procedure because you wanted to complain about them not answering your emails.

And receive an automated response saying they're really busy.


It's great!

Yes, that would be the routine. Is there a Franz Kafka in the house?

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

doesn't sound like it. 020 7222 1234 is the travel helpline. It's where you can speak to an adviser and they'll tell you how to get from A-B.

Also lists which tubes/buses are running etc.

 

[Donna Ferentes]

Originally posted by Anna Key
They always answer my emails immediately. With an automated response saying they're really busy.

You then wait a week, email again and receive an automated response saying they're really busy.

Hurrah! I just got another one!

It refers to "a recent influx of correspondence".

Nothing "recent" about it mate.

 

[lang rabbie]

"Brixton Station remains open"

Just found London Underground's press release of November 7th

...
A London Underground spokesperson said: "There is no safety risk to our customers and staff. Although asbestos has been discovered in Brixton Station, it has not been disturbed and in that state it is safe.

"LU has its own asbestos team at the site and it is constantly monitoring the material there. However, the material will eventually need to be moved so work can continue safely in putting in cables to get the new escalators up and running.

"We are currently looking at the most convenient option to avoid disruption to our customers. It is too early to tell if we will need to close the station but we will do our best to keep the station open and to provide a full service.

"A decision on whether there needs to be a temporary station closure will be made later next week. [i.e. this week as at date of posting - LR]

"LU has met with Union Health and Safety representatives and their concerns have been discussed. We are working closely with them to determine the best way forward."

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

From last week's Standard

"Aslef is demanding urgent assurances from London Underground over the removal of the asbestos.

The union has given Tube chiefs until Tuesday to produce these assurances. If not it will order its drivers to turn their trains round at Victoria"


Nothing new in the Standard yet. Shit, they'll probably delay announcing what's going to happen - just like everything else concerning Brixton tube

 

[lang rabbie]

Asbestos find may not close Victoria Line

There's a bizarre story on page 2 of today's SLP (not yet on their website)

To precis... ASLEF have now said "The air quality figures we have been asking for have been given so hopefully we can provide a service for the customers"

but the story then goes on to say:

It now looks more likely that just Brixton will be closed as trains terminate at Stockwell while work to get rid of the asbestos is carried out.

A spokeswoman for London Underground said: "Talks are continuing with union representatives. No final decision on what will happen has been made yet

So much for LU's previous (7 November) statement "A decision on whether there needs to be a temporary station closure will be made later next week.

I think someone at the SLP has their facts wrong - I don't think ASLEF ever threatened to close the whole Victoria Line.

 

[Donna Ferentes]

Asbestos find may not close Victoria Line

Originally posted by lang rabbie
So much for LU's previous (7 November) statement "A decision on whether there needs to be a temporary station closure will be made later next week.

Well, yes, but that's their usual modus operandi, isn't it? The ever-recedig announcement/completion date. I noticed there was an absence of dates on the new notices up in the station this week.

However, there was at least a name attached to these notices - Helen Dimond, Station Manager. So I know who will be ignoring my letter of complaint.

 

[Anna Key]

Well I've just had this from LU. It only took them 14 weeks to respond. And I suspect the answer's wrong.

Thanks for your email dated 28 July 2003, regarding information about the arcade at Brixton station.

First of all please accept our sincere apologies for the long delay in replying. We have been dealing with an unprecedented number of emails since the derailment on the Central line in January and are unable to respond fully to emails at the present time.

I contacted the Station Supervisor at Brixton Underground and he mentioned to me that the shops at the Arcade are not there anymore as there are replaced by offices for London Underground staff.

Once again thanks for contacting us.

Yours etc

 

[SlazengerMoss]

Asbestos find may not close Victoria Line

Originally posted by lang rabbie
There's a bizarre story on page 2 of today's SLP (not yet on their website)

To precis... ASLEF have now said "The air quality figures we have been asking for have been given so hopefully we can provide a service for the customers"

but the story then goes on to say:

So much for LU's previous (7 November) statement "A decision on whether there needs to be a temporary station closure will be made later next week.

I think someone at the SLP has their facts wrong - I don't think ASLEF ever threatened to close the whole Victoria Line.

I think what ASLEF said was that would be the worst case senario but didn't rule it out.


As for Christmas, make alternative travel plans!!!

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

There was never talk of the whole line closing, just from Victoria to Brixton because of worries about the asbestos dust getting in the tunnels.

Looks like they'll only close Brixton Station now

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Closure now confirmed

Brixton tube will be closed from 21 Dec over xmas and into the new year. Bollocks

Apparently its on the front of the SLP

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

bollox to that.

There's gonna be a lot of pissed off last minute Christmas shoppers

 

[lang rabbie]

Full story is now on the SLP website

Ken Livingstone has said that a bus replacement service would be "tailored to meet customer demand" - How the hell can they meet the demand for extra buses given the way that people double park on the bus stops at both Brixton and Stockwell stations - short of arming the traffic wardens with Kalashnikovs?

Edited to remove non functioning link

 

[Mrs Magpie]

What is it about the SLP? It used to be possible to link to their stories........

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

http://tinyurl.com/w021

{Edited to add: FYI - links to ICSouthLondon are too long and need to be put thru the TinyURL site to work.}

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

SOD IT! This is much easier


Christmas tube nightmare Nov 21 2003
South London Press


BRIXTON Tube looks set to be shut over Christmas and well into the new year.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone said that Sunday, December 21, was the most likely closure date for the vital link. And London Underground has said the station would be shut for up to three weeks.

Mr Livingstone said the closure had been timed to "minimise disruption" over the quieter festive period.

But January will signal an Unhappy New Year for the thousands who rely on the station for their daily commute.

Meanwhile, traders fear their pre-Christmas profits may plummet.

Aaron Wilson, store director at Morleys, said: "I cannot believe the timing - it will annihilate us. The five days leading up to Christmas are our busiest."

Brixton's nightlife also looks sure to be hit hard with many revellers who frequent its many bars and nightclubs arriving by Tube.

James Campana, manager of the Plan B nightclub in Brixton Road, said: "The closure is bad news. But if it means the station will be complete that can only be a good thing."

Mr Livingstone was speaking at Mayor's Questions this week after the South London Press exclusively revealed last month that asbestos had been found at the station.

He said a bus replacement service would be "tailored to meet customer demand" and Tube tickets would be acceptable on bus and some rail services.

A London Underground spokeswoman said: "It has not been 100 per cent finalised but the 21st seems the most likely date because there will be less people travelling. However, we expect the work to be complete within three weeks."

The date is likely to be confirmed early next week. Commuters will be breathing a sigh of relief, however, that a planned strike south of Victoria due to safety fears now looks unlikely to go ahead.

News of the Brixton closure comes as the Tube union leaders expect to announce the results of a ballot called after a safety row. If members vote for action, Tube services across the network look set to be badly hit in the run-up to Christmas.

 

[hendo]

And I don't believe them when they say "three weeks" either. Betcha its three months.

 

[lang rabbie]

Ticket office is closing from 10 December!

The official version from LU's website. My industry sources reckon on "at least three weeks, more likely five" rather than LU's current "up to three weeks".

November 26 2003
Brixton temporary closure

Brixton Underground Station will close for up to three weeks while asbestos removal work is undertaken in order for escalator refurbishment work to continue safely.

From close of traffic on 20 December 2003 all Victoria line trains will terminate at Stockwell Station and for one day on 26 December, trains will terminate at Victoria Station.

Customers are asked to use the rail replacement bus service between Brixton and Stockwell, which will run at two-minute intervals during the peak periods. LU tickets will be accepted on all existing local bus routes.

LU tickets will also be accepted on the following train routes: South Eastern Trains services between Brixton, Denmark Hill or Herne Hill and Victoria, South Central services between Clapham High Street and Victoria and Thameslink services between Loughborough Junction and Elephant & Castle or Blackfriars.

Some customers may also wish to walk to Stockwell, which takes 15 to 20 minutes.

Tickets should be purchased in advance as ticket sale facilities will not be available at Brixton from December 10 and throughout the closure.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Brixton High Street is going to be f***ing murder in the mornings with all those buses competing for space

 

[mains]

Originally posted by Minnie_the_Minx
Brixton High Street is going to be f***ing murder in the mornings with all those buses competing for space

http://www.brixtoncycles.co.uk/

your alternative transport guide

 

[hatboy]

This is the thread for comments on the tube closure, etc. Rescued from page 2.

 

[poster342002]

It's open!

Oddly enough, I found I actually quite liked the replacement bus sevice though, with it's friendly staff greeting passengers at the stops outside Stockwell & Brixton with a bit of cheerful banter. I'd sort of gotten used to seeing them each day and I'm sure they'll be missed by other regulars as well.

 

[lang rabbie]

I was gobsmacked when I saw the signs on the Northern line.

Dare I ask - how many escalators are in action?

 

[poster342002]

Still only two. The work was to remove the asbestos.

Station still looks like a total craphole, I'm afraid.

 

[IntoStella]

Originally posted by poster342002
It's open!

Arrghhh!

I walked all the way to Herne Hill this morning, had to queue for 5 hours for a ticket and fight my way on to a train. And it cost me 3.70 to get to work.

I thought the tube was shut for another week.

 

[Ol Nick]

You know, wouldn't it have made lots of sense to continue the Brixton terminating buses, the 109, 250 etc. on to Stockwell so as to avoid the need for a change of bus at Brixton?

Of course it would. I should be in charge.

 

[lang rabbie]

Only three months to go!?!

From today's LU press release - Good News as Brixton reopens early

John Doyle, General Manager for the Victoria line said: 'Metronet (the Tube maintenance company) did a great job working around the clock to complete the works ahead of schedule. We are sorry for the disruption caused while these works took place at short notice, but I am pleased we have been able to open the station quickly and safely to allow the modernisation to continue.

'Thanks to local businesses and customers for bearing with us, and we welcome any feedback on the alternative services we provided during the closure.'

Now that the asbestos has been removed so that an improved power supply can connected, it is hoped to have the escalator up and running by April this year.