Question by Steve O'Connell

Croydon would like to introduce food waste collection to every home as soon as possible and require external funding to make this happen quicker. With £5m of funding recently announced for extra recycling to flats, will there also be opportunity for boroughs to receive funding for dedicated food waste collections?

Answer by Boris Johnson

I am pleased to hear Croydon’s ambition to offer food waste collection services to all its residents. The London Waste and Recycling Board have published guidance notes for boroughs to access financial support from the Board’s £5m Flats Recycling Programme – see www.lwarb.gov.uk. This programme has been set up to fund recycling services (including food waste collections) and infrastructure in flats and high-rise properties only. The Board will, as set out in its Business Plan 2010/11, consider funding waste and recycling collection services where they are linked to the development of waste treatment infrastructure.

Question by Steve O'Connell

A constituent of mine in Croydon has written to complain about Tramlink starting overnight maintenance work close to her home and that they only notified neighbours on the day that work was due to begin. Please advise why the notice was so late and whether Tramlink will be more considerate in future in notifying neighbour?

Answer by Boris Johnson

Tramlink and its maintenance contractor work hard to ensure that when night engineering works take place, properties within 50m of the work site receive a notification letter. We aim to get these letters out with as much notice as possible. 

I am aware of an incident on 21 June which involved essential engineering work to jet wash some points. Letters were issued later than usual, because these works were unplanned; they took place following routine track inspections. Letters were issued at the earliest possible time.

Question by Steve O'Connell

Does the Mayor support Grant Shapps' vision for the future of HCA as a body that is "much leaner" and "smaller, more strategic – with [its] functions being delivered under local leadership"?

Answer by Boris Johnson

Yes.

Question by Steve O'Connell

There are currently severe overcrowding problems on the 464 bus route from Parkway in New Addington to Tatsfield, used by pupils from Charles Darwin School in Biggin Hill.

Intake at the school from New Addington & Croydon postcodes has increased to 48%. Currently one school bus (with a capacity of 83) is struggling to provide transport for nearly 500 Croydon postcodes. The only alternative is a 45 seater single-decker bus (the 464 bus route).

Two children (aged 6 & 7) have had items thrown at them on the bus, been sworn at by teenagers and have even been pushed to the floor by pupils from Charles Darwin School when travelling to and from school.

In light of the serious public disorder events which have been occurring on this route, I would therefore urge you to agree to an enhanced service being provided on the 464 bus route as a matter of urgency.

Answer by Boris Johnson

TfL is considering the best way of dealing with this capacity issue for the autumn term and will write to update you when the results are available, which is expected to be in the next three weeks.