15/03/2017 London News

Welcome to the programme this Wednesday evening

Survivors of the Croydon Tram Crash have told BBC London they're

relieved that Transport for London and the operator have admitted

It means that it won't take as long for victims' families and those

injured to get financial help and compensation.

But getting answers as to why the tram was travelling

as fast as it was will take much longer,

and is still the subject of an investigation.

Our transport Correspondent Tom Edwards has been speaking to a man

who's struggling to rebuild his life after what was supposed to be

On board the tram when it derailed, Matthew Parnell's life since that

day, in his words, has been destroyed.

He suffered a serious head injury in the crash, and

because of that he has had his driving licence suspended

and now he has lost his job as a lorry driver.

In a way, I have had my life taken away.

I was just going to work, a normal day like I would do,

and this happened, and as a result of it, it has pretty much destroyed

And he is one of many who want and need

Seven passengers died and 51 were injured last November

when the tram derailed on a sharp corner travelling at three times

Now the operator and Transport For London have

This is the first step in a long legal process,

but it is still nonetheless significant that Transport For

London and the operator have admitted liability

for the Croydon tram crash.

What it means is the families of those who died and the survivors

will now not have to endure a civil trial.

It is a good thing because at least they are not fighting it.

They have admitted that they are in the

wrong, so I think it is a good thing for all the families involved.

They are not going to have to go to court.

Lawyers say there will still be a long journey ahead for those

What it means is they will no longer have the

burden of having to prove negligence, and that is the

requirement if they hope to secure compensation for their injuries and

for reimbursement in respect of any losses

they have incurred, so it is

But of course what it doesn't mean is that they are not still

interested in what caused this accident, why it occurred, and for

them, they will still want to know what the cause of the accident was.

Matthew Parnell says he doesn't know what the future

holds how long the process will take.

Answers as to why the tram was travelling so fast could be

Is London a city out of touch with the rest of the country?

Does it get an unfair advantage when it comes to big

Unfair perception, or legitimate grievance that contributed

Well our political editor Tim Donovan has been investigating.

Continuing his tour across the middle of England tonight

he reports from Derby, home to the factory building

The first half dozen teams have already been delivered, they will be

making 60 in all. That means jobs and apprenticeships and

opportunities. Without contract like this, I wouldn't be going to

university. There probably wouldn't be as many jobs available, but they

had been made available site has given me the opportunity to develop

myself. Mirallas bid wondered it to be enough work are well I end up

needing a job. This secures my job for quite a while. Jolt washer on

then put your ten millilitres on top. This is why London's

politicians and transport bosses like to stress that infrastructure

in the capital has wider benefits. We had got much until this order,

finishing orders, so to win this year 's eyes that bit of stability.

My wife is happier, and statues may employ. 'S but the benefits plan out

further, this firm builds the fibreglass exterior of the Crossrail

driver 's cab employing 65 people. A company down the road does the

painting, for the staff here. And this major supplier with 80 workers

builds peace Steelers safety frame for the cab and much more. This is

the train was for... We have designed and manufactured and we

will be installing this train washed at the Crossrail depot. But after

this what next? It is hard to plan ahead. I can't employ more people or

invest in new equipment or invest in apprentices and the skills we need

to go forward without a good order book. 10,000 different components go

into a train and there is a worry about except Paris and restrictions

of the Brexit. We can't tolerate things being held at ports while

there is more checks, that just bills in delayed to the process.

What you make of the situation from where you are sitting? Is it all

going to be much more expensive? To the extent of Paris, we would have

to try and pass them onto the. Union contracts will be more expensive. I

guess so. These carriages and what links London and Derby in wanting a

good Brexit deal. Primary pupils with a message. Why

we love signing. It's certainly popular with them,

but should it be included Now to a sign that has

unwittingly caused a bit It's provoked complaints,

been reported to police, caused confusion and even seemed

harmless to others. Turns out it was done

all in the name of ART. Warning, in children crossing.

Giveaway. What do you make of this? Is it an anti-Semitic image or work

of art? Amongst some dues in Stamford Hill, it is an outrage. It

is certainly offensive. It is a sign which shouldn't be there. It is a

sign which, ties is a large and important segment of the community

in this neighbourhood. The rate of fatal road signs were a work of art

by the French artist in north London. He didn't mean for you one

of the Arno orthodox due to be thought of as a hate crime. It was

about identity, we are so full of identity in London, I don't want to

hurt them. I don't want to offend anyone, for me it is more about how

amazing it is to have all this character, it was nothing attacking

one person one community. London is made up of so many committees. It

certainly got the community talking, even though it was just the one sign

with a dude, no others had been created. As far as others are

concerned, is it anti-Semitic? Not at all because this is one of the

most populated areas here in the hell, Sarah... It doesn't offend

anybody. By the formal complaint was made to please. What would you say

to someone who is offended by this sign? IPods as befitting their

feelings, but it wasn't an attack. I want to stop this. The police asked

the speaker Frank. They enquiries continue. The reader have your say

on this story on our Facebook page. We're just hearing tonight that

a fresh deal has been agreed in the long-running row

between Southern Railway and the biggest train

drivers' union, Aslef. It comes after weeks of more

recent talks in a row Louisa, what do we know

about this deal? We are hearing that a deal has been

reached between Aslef and Southern rail, but we were in this position

only last month and the beginning of February and Aslef whether a

confident that their members would vote for the agreement they had

made, but they didn't and fell down. They had been backgrounded table and

it seems that their concerns have been addressed will stop this has

been causing utter misery, as we know, for commuters. It is paralysed

in the clean lines for 12 months after days of strike action in a row

over the role of staff. Southern was drivers and not conduct is to close

the doors, the union says that is not safe. It really has affected

people's lives in London, we have been doing a long time on the

programme. Some people have given up their job because they just can't

take the stress of knowing whether they are going to get to work. On

that note, commuters will want to know, where does this leave them and

ends up putting an end to these strikes? This is where it gets

confusing because they RNC is any dispute with Southern. Even if Aslef

balls agreement goes through, that doesn't mean that this whole problem

is good to go away. Aslef members are to be balloted before the 3rd of

April, but there is still a long way to go. The members before there was

Aslef were very confident in February that they would go for the

agreement, but they didn't. I would be saying to commuters today to

treat this with cosh 's optimism. -- cosh 's optimism.

Next: Should British sign language be included

That's what teachers at a primary school in Highgate

They say they've had years of success in teaching pupils sign

language so they can communicate with their classmates who are deaf.

Ready, remember, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. At this primary

school, it is not as French or Spanish the children learn, by the

time they leave at 11, many gated community using British sign

language and it is something they and their classmates enjoyed. I like

learning to sign because it is fine and it is like a secret language,

and you can make make more friends and play more with different types

of people. Playtime, I'm happy for them to sign with me. It shares its

site with this other school for deaf children, while DSL was recognised

in its own right 14 years ago, it is not included in the national

curriculum. Teachers here are campaigning for that to change. To

express themselves, to show facial expressions with their hands, with

their body, they are proud of their language. There are more than 1

million people who are deaf or hard of hearing living in London, many

become isolated with so few big able to communicate with them.

Mental-health needs higher deaf population than they are elsewhere,

anti-medication is one of the reasons why people feel so socially

isolated, so having children start early and learning to sign might

prevent mental health difficulties in the future. The Department for

Education says although BSL is not a mandatory part of the curriculum,

schools are free to teach it if they choose do. Teachers here say the

children's smiles and the best advertise meant for signing.

Football, and the future of one of London's oldest club's

hangs in the balance, ahead of a High Court

Leyton Orient has been served with a winding-up order

However the fans who are battling to keep the club alive have received

Let's find out more from Chris Slegg who's at the club's

Welcome you to the few privies errors, but given that Leyton Orient

fans have not had good news for a while, it is welcome. Barry Hearn

who still owns this stadium said that if the fans find away to take

control of the club then he will allow them to play rent-free, the

team play rent-free for a year. I have spoken to him directly today,

he is in Miami at the moment. He confirms this to be the case,

subject to the fans are Dee showing him a viable business plan. That

rent is not to be around one and ?180,000 a year. They are battling

to find every penny they can. Some might say that this is the least

Barry Hearn could do, he served the club to Francesco Becchetti in July

2014 for ?4 million. It has been a disaster, the club has been

relegated. They look set to be relegated again and he hasn't paid

his tax bill. He owes ?250,000. That is why the club is due in High Court

in Monday, facing a winding up order. The fans are trying to raise

?250,000 to keep the club alive. Francesco Becchetti once his ?4

million back, so they are world's apart, but in the fans a way, then

the team could play rent-free here for a year.

And Jane Asher, of acting and baking fame, talks us about returning

How visitors can get a close up view of the intricacies of a ?20 million

restoration of an historic mansion in Kent.

It was first opened by Queen Victoria back in 1882

but Epping Forest has been visited by another member of

Prince Harry spent the day learning about England's ancient woodland

and the ways future generations can help keep it alive.

In 1882, Queen Victoria food paid to centuries of arguments about who

controlled Epping Forest and dedicated it to the nation. Today

her great great great rate grandson was here to make his own dedication

as part of a Commonwealth project to encourage natural forests. A century

ago, Epping Forest was a place for London parred workers to escape for

games, donkey rides and fortune telling. Today it is all about

conservation. This is lucky the Longhorn, she and her calf

ragamuffin greatly open pastures. Laws make it a legal defence of the

land so technology stops them from straying too far. With a ?250

tracker that sounds a buzz of any cross the boundary. Among the

Rangers looking after the canopies where Sam Hobbs, a former soldier

who lost part of the lead in the Falklands. He is rebuilding his

career among the trees. And under the same tree, Queen Victoria gave a

speech, this time it was Harry and the local schoolchildren, reminding

them that when space in this city is fought over, it is more important

than ever to keep open space. Sam Alderson from Kent has severe

physical disabilities, but it doesn't stop him playing

the game he loves. You'll usually see him playing

cricket for England or Kent, but this afternoon wicket keeper

Sam Billings was behind the stumps for a very different reason -

launching an ambassador programme to get young people with

disabilities involved in the game. Two inspirational players with one

aim, to spend their love of cricket. England player Sam Billings spent

the afternoon here in Bromley College as an ambassador for Lord's

Tavern a charity to bring the sporty disadvantaged and disabled young

people. Joining him, Sam Alderson, he got the cricketing bug through

the charity and when he found his powered wheelchair was hinting more

than helping, abandoned it to bowl on his knees. I love playing the

game, getting out there and try new things. I don't see... Make excuses

for my disability, I want to do something I will go and do it, and I

will be determined to do it no matter what. You would encourage

others to do the same? Absolutely. Training with his England

team-mates, Sam Billings may have plenty to teach the youngsters he

met today. But he admits being an ambassador also reminds him why he

plays in the first place. Sometimes as a pro sportsman you can take it

too seriously, so it puts it in perspective and it is fantastic to

see the smiles on their faces and enjoy cricket again and really see

them experience the effects of cricket. That is as good as

anything. Many of these young people went had a chance to try cricket

before and hope is that they will be inspired by league players and the

determination of those with disabilities and will grow to love

the sport. Maybe this will be the first of many team photos.

Now, we know she can make cakes - but she claims

So what attracted Jane Asher back to the west end?

The answer is the musical production of 'An American in Paris' -

which after its success on Broadway has transferred to London.

Gene Kelly, arguably at his best in the 1951 movie an American in Paris,

and the musical of the same name has already wooed audiences in the city

it is set in. It has bagged for Tony's Forest Broadway production

and toured the States. Now it is in London and stars are very own Jane

Asher. And played a part that didn't exist in the film, a woman who we

are not quite sure and beginning of the evening what she has been doing

during the war. Before excepting the part she said she was under no

illusion it would be a piece of cake. I was sitting at home and my

agent said, are you interested in the idea of being an An American In

Paris, and apart for an actor who can't sing or dance? So to be

offered a wonderful part in a show like this was unique. The

choreographer, director and recipient of one of those awards

says it is important to bring the music, glamour and energy of the

movie to life. One of the big challenges that designer and myself

had was finding a way to retain some of the cinematic qualities of the

movie and create a set that is very fluid, that jumps from location to

location very quickly, but that also dances. These days home is the

Dominion, and for some of the show parred veterans there is something

special about being any West End. Reed Tanabe home and family members

that couldn't make it to Paris or New York can finally get in the West

End. It feels like the measure of a ballet house and Broadway house

which is what our show is. It feels like you can fly. If you'd fancy

flying down to the Demeaning to catch the show, it is currently

booking and the of September. It's a grand historic

mansion that was, quite Yet crumbling walls and falling

ceilings meant Knole House in Kent was in desperate need

of some serious TLC. So it became the focus

of the biggest restoration project the National Trust

has ever undertaken. With almost six centuries

of history, Knole House is one of the oldest,

grandest and most important It is the most amazing

staircase, this is the great staircase at Knole, created

by Thomas Sackville at the beginning of the 17th century and decorated

by craftsmen from the King's Works. We've got I think probably

overwhelmed by the scale We've got seven acres of roof

and just keeping on top of the maintenance of a building

like that is an enormous task. And because the building is so old,

we got to a point where actually we needed to do something really

to secure the house's future. This is the biggest restoration

in the National Trust's history, all conducted under the watchful

gaze of the Sackville family. Powerful and influential in the 17th

century royal court, their descendants live here to this

day, a living link the past. So, a state-of-the-art

conservation studio will, with painstaking patience,

work to protect the building You overlap the previous bit

to make sure you haven't And then just keep

the system going, really. The conservators employ the same

skills and techniques that have embellished Knole

for hundreds of years. Through the ages dust,

rain and wood smoke have all taken their toll and this x-ray

shows damage caused by woodworm. The team has to preserve the ornate

and the elaborate of Knole's past while ensuring the health

and the safety requirements of the present, to protect not only

the house itself but also those John Maguire, BBC

London News, Sevenoaks. Lovely start to the week,

let's get a check on the weather Spring sunshine, it turned out to be

the warmest day of the year so far. 18 Whiteley, got up to 19 Celsius

this afternoon. This picture was taken at Hampton Wick post because

my spring colours, lovely blue sky as well. What about the next few

days? It is going to turn a little bit cooler thanks to more in the

wake of cloud and some rain around as we head into the weekend. I hope

you made the most of today's fine weather. Turning a bit chilly out

there, high play any breeze at all, but we will find it turning the

state later in the night, low cloud arriving which would prevent

temperatures falling much lower than six or seven Celsius. Tomorrow could

start a mistake, a bit grey, but it will brighten up at times. You may

see the sunshine. Not as funny as today, and would be quite as warm.

These are the temperatures, but we could get up around 15 or 16 Celsius

at the best. Still good for this time of year. No rain yet as you've

noticed. This weather front is heading our way, on Thursday

evening, not much rain on that. Slightly cooler air comes in behind

it, so we could be down to about the Celsius in the Chilterns early

Friday. Sunshine to begin with but look what is coming down the

north-west, first bottom rain arriving at we head towards the end

of the afternoon. Temperatures not bad, 13, possibly as high as 14

Celsius, not as good as today. Dry through Friday, indeed we cared it

will be stronger wins, he'll cooler, rain at times.

The government's dropped plans to increase National Insurance

contributions for some self employed people.

It follows a backlash both inside and outside parliament

Thank you for joining us. We will be back with our late news at 10:30pm.

Do have a lovely evening. Goodbye.