Councillor Gary Malcolm, Lib Dem Transport spokesperson, has accused Ealing Council of blaming others for a year long delay in installing a crossing at the crossroads of Acton Lane and Southfield Road. The crossing was finally introduced a few months ago.

Gary Malcolm wrote to Ken Livingstone to enquire why TTS (a Transport for London organisation who alter the traffic light signalling), were continually being blamed by Ealing Council officers in Acton Area committee reports for delays.

The letter stated that within the past three years almost all of the alterations of traffic signalling of crossings in the area have been delayed – a large number for many months with one project in being delayed for over a year.

                                                                                          

The letter also asked the Mayor to explain why TTS issue projected timescales that are almost always wrong and what was being done to ensure that TTS and local authorities are given accurate predictions of how long alterations to traffic signalling will take to conduct as well as giving an accurate start date? 

Cllr Malcolm asked for clarification of the process of communication between TTS and Ealing Council and what was being done to improve this process.

In Ken Livingstone’s reply he stated that “The delay at the Southfield location was due to the need to relocate a telephone call box which was organised by Ealing and therefore outside the control of TTS.”

Gary Malcolm, Southfield ward councillor, said "The Lib Dems seem to have uncovered that Ealing Council is saying the fault for delays to many important road safety initiatives is a Transport for London organisation, when in at least this instance it was the Council who lied."

Gary Malcolm added "I demand that all Ealing council officers need to tell the public and councillors the truth of why delays are happening. Road safety schemes are crucial and Lib Dems want them to be installed quickly after they have been agreed. Delays may cost lives."