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Hayes and Coney Hall Councillors Josh Coldspring-White, Alexa Michael and Thomas Turrell today slammed the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, as the much-loved Bromley Pageant of Motoring was cancelled for the first time ever due to Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) expansion to Outer London.

The Bromley Pageant of Motoring is a community event where motorists can admire a variety of cars, from classic vehicles to newer models. It also gives people a chance to meet fellow car enthusiasts. This event has been held annually at Norman Park in Hayes and Coney Hall Ward. Regrettably, the organisers have taken the decision to cancel the event because is now unfeasible to hold it in Greater London due to the ULEZ expansion.

Local Conservatives have consistently lobbied against the ULEZ expansion as being disastrous to hard-pressed motorists who are unable to afford to scrap their cars and find suitable replacement during the cost-of-living crisis. They have called for the Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan, to reverse it immediately.

Commenting on the developments, Councillor Turrell said:

“Yet again, Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion is proving disastrous to residents in Hayes & Coney Hall and across the wider London Borough of Bromley. Residents are already hard-pressed as a result of the charge, while being hit with an increased Mayoral Council Tax precept and the possibility of Pay-per-Mile being introduced in the near future.

Residents are now being prevented from participating in a much-loved, well-attended event in the form of the Bromley Pageant of Motoring. It shows yet again how Sadiq Khan just doesn’t understand Outer London and why we need to see the ULEZ reversed.

My Ward colleagues and I will always stand up for our residents and we call on the Mayor to think again following this appalling development.”

Along with colleagues at Conservative-led Bromley Council and London Assembly Member Peter Fortune, Councillors Coldspring-White, Michael and Turrell will continue to highlight the negative impacts of ULEZ on Hayes and Coney Hall and do everything we can to see the policy reversed.

Transport for London (TfL) have refused calls from Councillors and residents to add Hayes and Coney Hall to the Superloop bus network which aims to increase connectivity in Outer London.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, announced plans for a new orbital bus network in early 2023 and consultations on the proposed routes have taken place throughout the year. The Bromley to Croydon section of the route was consulted on in the autumn.

During this consultation, your local Conservative Councillors for Hayes and Coney Hall Ward argued that instead of heading to Croydon via Hayes Lane and South Eden Park Road, the route should operate through Hayes from Westmoreland Road and serve Coney Hall before continuing on to Croydon via West Wickham. They argued that this would bring the route closer to the rural parts of the borough, which are hit hardest by ULEZ expansion.

Councillor Thomas Turrell has criticised the Superloop for only connecting the main town centres of Outer London and ignoring the more rural communities, such as Keston Village, Downe and Biggin Hill. He challenged TfL about this in October at Bromley Council’s Public Transport Liaison Group meeting.

However, in December TfL confirmed that it would stick with the current plans for the SL5 service which it plans to begin operating by spring 2024.

Councillor Turrell said: 

“The Superloop is a huge, missed opportunity to better connect and better serve the more rural parts of Outer London instead of just connecting the main town centres which already have good transport links. The Mayor says he wants the Superloop to reduce car use but then ignores rural communities where people have no choice but to drive because of the lack of public transport alternatives. This is just further evidence that Sadiq Khan does not understand Outer London.

Alexa, Josh and I will continue to campaign for real improvements to public transport in Outer London, especially for our rural communities.”

Local resident and campaigner Josh Coldspring-White has been elected as a Councillor for Hayes and Coney Hall Ward following a by-election on 7^th December.

The by-election follows the sad passing of Andrew Lee, who was one of the Councillors between May 2022 and his death in October 2023. Josh now joins fellow Councillors Alexa Michael and Thomas Turrell in representing Hayes, Coney Hall and Keston Village at the Civic Centre.

Josh grew up locally and has lived in West Wickham all his life. He attended Wickham Common Primary School and Hayes Secondary School before going to university and graduating in 2022. Josh now works in media relations in Central London, commuting daily on the Hayes line. 

During the election campaign, Josh campaigned on issues such as opposing the Labour Mayor of London’s ULEZ expansion to Outer London and any attempts to introduce pay-per-mile road charging, protecting the local green belt, parks and open spaces, keeping the local streets safe from crime, anti-social behaviour and speeding.

Josh won the election with 48% of the vote, an increase in the Conservative vote share from 2022.

Speaking after his election, Josh said:

“Thank you to everyone who came out and supported me, it is truly an honour to be elected to represent the community in which I grew up and went to school. However, I have only been given this honour because of the sad and untimely death of Andrew Lee, to whom I pay tribute.

We campaigned on the issues which matter to local people. I am a Conservative because we are the party of opportunity for everyone. That is why I, as the son of single mother, has been elected as a local Councillor. I will use my time on the Council to ensure that we continue to deliver the best opportunities for both existing and the next generation of residents.

I am looking forward to working closely with Alexa, Thomas and the wider Conservative team at the Civic Centre. I am excited to get going, and to deliver for the people of Hayes, Coney Hall and Keston.”

Councillor Thomas Turrell, welcomed Josh’s election saying:

“I am delighted that Josh has been elected. It has been great working with him during the campaign and I am looking forward to continuing doing so for what we hope will be many years to come. Josh is an excellent addition to the local team with Alexa and me.

Josh’s victory is a big win for the local Conservatives, with the Conservative vote share increasing. We would like to say a massive “thank you” to local people for the vote of confidence in the work we have been doing both in the community and at the Civic Centre.

Now with Josh on our team, we can continue to champion local residents on the issues which matter; fighting to reverse the ULEZ expansion, opposing any attempt to introduce pay-per-mile, protecting our local green belt, parks and open spaces, keeping our streets safe, reducing disruption from Biggin Hill Airport and improving public transport locally, especially in our more rural communities which have been hit hardest by ULEZ.

Congratulations Josh and welcome to the team!”  

Controversial plans to close almost all ticket offices at English railway stations, including the one at Hayes Station, have been scrapped after the Government ordered train companies to keep them open.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the Government had asked train operators to withdraw their proposals because they did not meet high passenger standards.

Hayes & Coney Hall Ward Councillors Alexa Michael and Thomas Turrell had both objected to the ticket office closures. They expressed strong concerns that passengers, particularly disabled travellers, would be disadvantaged when making rail journeys if the ticket offices were to be removed. In addition, ticket office staff provide passengers with valuable information about rail services, journey times and ticket prices.

Councillor Michael said:

“I’m delighted that common sense has prevailed and the ticket offices will remain open to the benefit of the travelling public. Those ticket offices play a vital role in providing both information and practical assistance to rail passengers and it is important that they stay open.”

Residents may be aware that planning permission was granted in 2022 for the demolition of the existing warehouse and late additions to the retail/office building (the facade is being retained) at Wickes. The applicants have permission (ref: DC/21/00091/FULL1) for a three to five storey mixed use development that includes two retail units, community use and 61 residential units on the upper floors. The plan incorporates new planting including a green roof to help with biodiversity. 

A second application is currently under consideration (ref: DC/23/02065/FULL1) to amend the car park layout, egress arrangement, provision of electric car charging points and elevational changes to the existing building. Cllr Alexa Michael has ‘called in’ the application so that it can be decided by a planning committee of Councillors in public. This application has not yet been decided, so there is still time to make your views known. If you have internet access, you can make a comment on the Council’s planning portal under https://searchapplications.bromley.gov.uk/ or e-mail the planning office at planning@bromley.gov.uk. You can also contact the Planning Department at Bromley Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH, quoting the planning reference number.

Following a request from Councillor Thomas Turrell, in early October, the Hayes and Coney Hall Safer Neighbourhood Police Team conducted a traffic operation on Tiepigs Lane to try to catch speeding drivers. 

Councillor Turrell attended the operation where several drivers were stopped for a range of traffic offences.

Residents in the area have also raised concerns with both Councillor Alexa Michael and Councillor Turrell about weekend parking on the road. This has been raised with Highway Officers who are investigating and bringing forward proposals, which residents will be consulted on, shortly.

Traffic operations with the Safer Neighbourhood Team are a useful tool in keeping roads safe. However, they are not always feasible as the Police need to have sufficient space to pull vehicles over safely. Additionally, only trained officers can use the equipment.

Councillors Michael and Turrell have joined local Member of Parliament, Bob Stewart, in raising the lack of equipment and training with the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime, who have promised to look into delivering the extra resource.

Councillor Turrell said:

“I am grateful to the Police team for the prompt way in which they set this operation up following my request. Keeping our roads safe and tackling speeding is a top concern of local residents. That’s why I am pleased we have recently secured new Vehicle Activated Signs for speeding hot spots in the area. We will continue to work with the Police to run similar operations where we know there is an issue. However, the Police need to have the training and resources to do this and we will continue to put the pressure on the Mayor of London to deliver this.”

Tributes are being paid to Hayes and Coney Hall Ward Councillor Andrew Lee who sadly passed away on Thursday 5^th October 20223.

Councillor Lee, who had been a Hayes and Coney Hall ward councillor since being elected in 2022, was also a member of the Public Protection and Enforcement Policy Development & Scrutiny Committee and the General Purposes and Licensing Committee.

Andrew was a stalwart of local politics, having been the Campaign Manager for Bromley Conservative for fourteen years before setting up his own business. He was elected to Bromley Council in May 2022.

Councillor Colin Smith, Leader of Bromley Council said:

“We have all been shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Andrew’s sudden demise and our thoughts are firmly with his widow Gill, their friends and family at this incredibly difficult time.

“Hayes and Coney Hall Ward has very sadly lost an outstanding Councillor as a result of Andrew’s cruel and untimely departure, who was also an amazingly talented friend to many and a local politician.

“He will be desperately sadly missed by everyone that knew him.

“Andrew, may you rest in peace dear friend.”

Andrew’s ward colleagues Alexa Michael and Thomas Turrell also paid tribute to Andrew.

Alexa said:

“I had known Andrew for 20 years, mostly as a Party agent and will always be grateful for his wise counsel and for his patience and good humour. Latterly I knew him as a Council Ward colleague when he fulfilled a lifelong wish to be an elected representative in May 2022. Sadly, it was not to last long. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.”

Thomas added:

“I had the great pleasure of knowing Andrew for over a decade.

“First, working together as campaign managers and then as ward colleagues. Andrew was a stalwart of not just Bromley politics, but all of South London. We will all miss his advice, friendship, wit and humour. Our thoughts are with his family. May he rest in peace.”

A moments silence was held for Andrew at the full meeting of Bromley Council on Monday 16^th October where Councillors of all party paid tribute to Andrew.

Hayes and Coney Hall Ward Councillor, Thomas Turrell, challenged Transport for London (TfL) on the lack of improvements to public transport in the more rural parts of Bromley Borough at Bromley Council’s Public Transport Liaison Group meeting on 10 October. 

Earlier this year, TfL unveiled their new Superloop bus routes which they claimed would better connect Outer London. According to the Mayor, the routes were designed, to reduce dependency on cars in these areas.

TfL have since consulted on the planned routes. Both Councillors Alexa Michael and Thomas Turrell complained that Hayes was not set to receive a stop on the Bromley to Croydon route proposed an alternative route to include the village.

Councillor Turrell followed this up at the Public Transport Liaison Group meeting, asking TfL when proposals would come forward to improve connectivity in the south of the borough, for example, in places like Keston and Biggin Hill.

At the meeting, Councillor Turrell asked the following question:

“The Superloop, while very welcome, by design connects our main town centres but does nothing for the more rural parts of our borough, like Keston Village in my Ward.

Given these areas are most affected by the ULEZ expansion due to the lack of reliable public transport alternatives, when can residents expect extra capacity such as that which has been given to town centres?”

In their answer, TfL did not provide a timeframe but did offer to meet Councillor Turrell to discuss the matter further.

Councillor Turrell said: 

“The oversight with the Superloop is an example of the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, not understanding Outer London. He cannot make it harder for people to drive without providing reliable alternatives. We need improved, frequent and reliable public transport connections for the more rural parts of our borough. I will continue to campaign on this issue.”

Councillors Alexa Michael and Thomas Turrell have welcomed the announcement from Southeastern that all stations will have a dedicated contact point for passengers needing support at their stations if the proposed ticket offices do go ahead.

Rail operators across the UK are consulting on the closure of ticket offices. However, the closures will not result in job losses. Instead, staff in ticket offices will roam the station to be on hand to assist passengers as required. Transport for London moved to this model a number of years ago.

London Travelwatch conducted a consultation on the plans over the summer. Both Councillor Michael and Councillor Turrell responded. Councillor Michael objected to the plans while Councillor Turrell said he could see the logic but had concerns about the implementation. Both Councillors called for a dedicated contact point where member of the public can be sure to find a member of staff. This is essential for vulnerable rail users, particularly blind passengers.

At Bromley Council’s Public Transport Liaison Group meeting, held on Tuesday 10^th October, the representatives from Southeastern confirmed to Councillors that this designated support spot would be implemented.

Councillor Michael welcomed this. She said:

“The designated support point is crucial for more vulnerable passengers who need to know where they can contact someone for support. I am pleased that Southeastern have listened to, elected representatives, local people and charities who also called for dedicated support if ticket offices are to close”.

London Travelwatch are currently analysing the consultation responses. The outcome of the consultation is expected to be published before Christmas.

Asked at the meeting what would happen to the ticket offices if they closed, the spokesman for Southeastern replied that they will be used for space for staff (such as staff rooms), retail, community space, storing technical train and rail parts to reduce delays or used by the British Transport Police.