Simply to let everyone know that the local politicians (see previous post for the cast list) met yesterday with TFL's Commissioner Andy Byford and his team. I have been given highly positive feedback on the collaborative mood of this meeting and the various points of discussion.

TFL presented early draft designs for various options to make Battersea Bridge safe for pedestrians. These will now be analysed by experts and connected parties and developed further. I will be involved in these discussions. The options will then be made public and put to consultation, so everyone will get their say.

Commissioner Byford underlined his commitment to move as quickly as is reasonably possible, which he had already said to me privately. It is indeed good to hear that this project remains a clear priority at TFL, as well as at RBKC. I believe that change will happen.

That said, the speed of progress may be hampered by the Mayoral election on 6th May. A statutory period of purdah will begin on 22nd March and I have been warned that the chances of designs being ready for public consultation before then is difficult. I am challenging this because - to me at least - there seems to be many spare weeks to push on. I am still pressing for my interim 'All Red Stop' idea to be stress-tested, then implemented or ruled out entirely.

In other news, Greg Hands has up-dated his constituents on this week's developments in his regular newsletter. I was touched to get a namecheck with a new soubriquet: "activist". After three decades lost in  showbiz, I feel proud to be called such a thing! (RM, 30/1/20)