Page 19 - Demo

19new fleet of trains %u2018from the end of 2025%u2019. Most visible and enjoyable will be walk-through carriages, air conditioning (for the first time in a deep Tube train), on-board CCTV cameras to improve customer safety and improved step-free access %u2013 which we hope will include Hooper%u2019s Court at Knightsbridge Tube station. These changes will be most welcome.ROAD CLOSURESWe have had another successful year of avoiding or minimising some of the biggest and worst traffic problems in Knightsbridge. For example, we successfully opposed the switch from northbound to southbound closure of Sloane Street in the middle of that long project %u2013 which would have caused unnecessary chaos. With luck, Sloane Street should have re-opened fully in both directions by the time of the KA%u2019s AGM in January 2025. This will be a major step forward. The inevitable %u2018pain%u2019 of the project works has created a much more attractive street.Public realm improvement works are expected to begin on Beauchamp Place (see p.14) once Sloane Street is fully re-opened. We don%u2019t know the details yet but they could result in more traffic using Sloane Street in both directions (which could mean longer traffic queues at Scotch House Corner) and rat-running through Ovington Gardens (northbound) or Hans Road (southbound). Please bear in mind that TfL will let traffic return to our area (by automatically managing the phasing of traffic lights) once major local works are completed and network capacity increases, so that similar works can progress in other parts of London.The ongoing closure of South Carriage Drive (SCD) seven days a week annoys many people and pleases others. We understand that the Royal Parks%u2019 decision following the consultation to confirm permanent closure has been delayed by the delay in them appointing a new Chairman (following the change in Government). The Royal Parks is proposing to trial new cycling arrangements near Apsley House where bike routes converge from the Broad Walk, Hyde Park Corner, Park Lane and SCD. The Knightsbridge Partnership Business Improvement District%u2019s (BID%u2019s) traffic consultants have pointed out that cyclists could travel through the north side of the Queen Elizabeth Gate, leaving the south side for eastbound only traffic from a re-opened SCD five days a week. The Royal Parks%u2019 trial sounds sensible because new cycling arrangements are probably needed to unlock any benefits for drivers. The KA continues to press for at least eastbound opening of SCD five days a week.STREET LIGHTING Many of our streetlights are old and/or listed for heritage purposes. We even have gas lights e.g. Montpelier Walk. Some have been replaced and updated but others are %u2018out%u2019, have clouded or stained glass or whole posts missing. A recent evening walkabout identified about 10 streetlights %u2018out%u2019 at night, one temporary light not working, two lights permanently on, two posts damaged or lamps missing and several street sign lights out. We reported all these to FM Conway and the Council and will work with them in coming months to seek renewed action. Please remember that action may not be quick or easy because of listed asset requirements and the need for new electric connections in some cases. Please keep reporting problems near you on FixMyStreet.com.On a %u2018brighter%u2019 note, we have had a significant win recently with Westminster City Council imposing strict conditions on new display advertising on the two large media screens at the Piccadilly Underpass (below). These have included %u2018brightness%u2019 being limited to 300 candela per square metre (cd/m2) at night in accordance with the latest guidance from the Institution of Lighting Professionals %u2013 Professional Lighting Guide PLG 05. This is half the previously recommended guideline so may help you sleep if repeated throughout the Knightsbridge International Centre.FOOD WASTE, STREET CLEANING AND DOG POO Our streets are much cleaner than they used to be. In part, this has been due to the KA%u2019s zero tolerance approach for rubbish dumped out One of the new trains