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• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Thank you. Clearly, work is being done, but I read in the Paralympic Games bid document that the catchment area for the Paralympics is 30 million people across much of southern England within a day trip of the Games. Therefore, what is going to be done about helping people with any kind of disability across that catchment area, particularly if they rely on mainline rail services? What plans are in place for that situation?

• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Will you set them objectives or targets?

• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Thank you. On getting into London itself and the fact that it is going to be a very broad-based Games, we know that we have real problems in access for people with disabilities to our public buildings. Indeed, a recent statement in Disability Capital states that only 17% of public buildings in London are accessible. What plans are in place for involving disabled people in the cultural Olympiad?

• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Turning to the bus service, which you state will be fully compliant by 2006; I think you said early 2006 but are the ramps actually working? In fact, my evidence is that in many cases it is not possible for people with a wheelchair to access a bus on a low floor through a ramp, because the ramp is inoperable. Are there any efforts by TfL to get on top of this, such as using a secret-shopper approach?

• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Does that mean, if that had to happen, that something would be done about implementing the Thameslink box effectively, so that access to the cross-channel shuttle at King's Cross can be properly integrated, rather than a very difficult, 500-metre walk across King's Cross?

• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Mr Mayor, you say we have seven years, but if I look at the North London Line for the last seven or more years, in fact, it has become worse, rather than better. I am very interested to know what plans there are for upgrading the North London Line, which potentially could be an important link from southwest London and also places like Camden and Islington, a direct link to Stratford. What can be achieved?

• Reference: 2005/0325-1
• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

What are your plans for upgrading the North London Line by 2012 so that people living in Richmond, Brent, Camden, Islington and Hackney can easily reach Stratford ? How many trains per hour will reach Stratford if we subtract trains coming from Beckton, Upminster and Shenfield?

• Reference: 2005/0327-1
• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Is it likely that Thameslink passengers from South London will be able to use new station platforms ("the Thameslink Box")adjacent to the CTRL shuttle to Stratford by 2012 rather than having the 500m walk from the King's Cross Thameslink station in Pentonville Road ?

• Reference: 2005/0373-1
• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Has a full `Needs Assessment- been carried out to establish the changes required across the transport network to ensure the fullest disabled access possible by 2012? Can you provide a copy of any such assessment?