TfL accused of withholding ‘vital’ information after tram crash

MEMBERS of the London Assembly have urged the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to launch an independent investigation into allegations that Transport for London withheld ‘vital’ information connected with the Croydon tram crash of 2016. A motion put forward by Conservative Assembly Member Keith Prince, backed by the GMB, asks the Mayor to appoint investigators. The motion put forward at the London Assembly meeting stated that TfL did not share details of an audit report into how driver fatigue was managed. TfL said it had always cooperated fully with all the investigating bodies after the crash, but has also admitted that it had not provided some details due to ‘human error’.

New fund to make rail more accessible

A NEW £20 million accessibility improvements fund for the rail network is being announced by the Department for Transport today, a year since the launch of the government’s Inclusive Transport Strategy. Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith has welcomed the news. He continued: ‘We know that many disabled travellers report receiving a good service, but that there is still a long way to go until people with disabilities have full access to trains and station facilities. The rail industry and their staff must now get behind all the changes required to deliver the more accessible network of stations promised. We know from the National Rail Passenger Survey that small changes can mean big improvements for all passengers, including those with disabilities. Passengers with disabilities must not continue to experience a mixed response to their requests for help. Operators must ensure that all booked help arrives, and that the correct help is provided.’