TfL warns Amazon, Sainsbury's and builders to stagger start times to stop Tube overcrowding
LONDON’S Tube network has urged Amazon, Sainsbury’s and construction firms to stagger start times for their workers to reduce overcrowding.
Trains and carriages were packed again today in East London as key workers continue to go to work during the third national lockdown.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Transport for London is becoming concerned about the number of commuters using the services during peak times and has reached out to major employers in the area.
It has asked firms – also including City Airport, Royal Docks and Tate and Lyle – to stagger their shift times so some staff can move around during quieter periods of the day.
A lot of lower paid workers in the capital use their Oyster card before 6.30am to pay cheaper off-peak fares. Peak times run between 6.30am and 9.30am and 4pm to 7pm.
Some builders have slammed construction sites that have changed their shifts meaning they have to pay for the more expensive rate and get home later – causing issues with childcare.
STAGGER SHIFTS
Jefe Cortez tweeted: “TfL, can you explain to me why my site has told me I can't start work until 9.30am to comply with your new guidelines that say construction workers aren't allowed on the trains during certain times in the morning?
“F***ing disgraceful. How am I supposed to help my wife look after my children in the evenings if I'm not getting home until 8.30pm every night?”
Another added: “Today started well. Now I'm [angry] over my working hours being changed cos of Covid.
“All the construction industry are changing start times. So now instead of travelling into work off peak. I now have to travel at peak times. I give up.”
Nick Dent, London Underground's director of line operations, confirmed TfL has contacted the major employers in East London.
We have also urgently contacted large employers in the area including Amazon, Sainsbury's and Royal Docks to urge them to stagger shifts
He told MailOnline: “We are doing everything we can to help ensure those who need to travel for legally permitted reasons are able to do so safely and maintain social distancing, including targeted communications to encourage people to travel at quiet times.
“West Ham and Canning Town are the busiest stations on our network early in the mornings, and we are working with Newham Council to look at how working patterns in the borough could be changed to help ease any crowding during busy times.
“We have also urgently contacted large employers in the area including Amazon, Sainsbury's and Royal Docks to urge them to stagger shifts and operating hours to enable those who have to travel to work to do so in the quieter times.
“In addition, we have sent advice to business groups, and to construction companies and the supply chain through Build UK. We are regularly meeting with the trade unions to work together and respond to their concerns around this issue.”
It comes after workers were unable to social distance as they piled onto carriages in Canning Town, East London, after shocking footage showed crowds squeezing onto trains last week.
TUBES PACKED
Builders in the capital reacted with fury over fears their sites could be shut, telling The Sun they would be forced to join the furlough scheme or be left in financial ruin.
Jackson Hamilton, 26, a carpenter from Hounslow, west London, said: “For me it’s slightly different because as a subcontractor you're not entitled to any money unless you’re working.
“Of course they’ve put the grant scheme in place, but that’s only if you’ve been self-employed for the previous three years, which for the likes of myself, is not the case.
“So for me, quite honestly, it would be devastating, it would cripple me."
Adrian Panzariuc, 33, a site manager who commutes into Farringdon on the Tube from Walthamstow said: “If they close sites, that puts me in the furlough scheme, which won’t bring me so much money.
“It would not be very positive, but I would survive, at least for a few months.
“I would have to try and find a different field of work you know to have an income."
Many construction sites were shut during the first lockdown as companies were not able to secure supplies, and workers became sick or had to self-isolate with their households.
Source: Read Full Article