07/12/2017

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0:00:00 > 0:00:00Join me now on BBC Two.

0:00:00 > 0:00:01Here on BBC One it's time for the news where you are.

0:00:15 > 0:00:17Good evening and welcome to BBC London News with me,

0:00:17 > 0:00:19Louisa Preston.

0:00:19 > 0:00:21It was a day that changed lives in Croydon.

0:00:21 > 0:00:23A tram travelling at speed derailed, killing seven people

0:00:23 > 0:00:24and injuring dozens more.

0:00:24 > 0:00:27Today the findings of an official report into the crash

0:00:27 > 0:00:29were published, which found:

0:00:29 > 0:00:34that the driver had probably dozed off moments before it happened.

0:00:34 > 0:00:35The speed warning signs for drivers weren't

0:00:35 > 0:00:37appropriately positioned.

0:00:37 > 0:00:39And there was a "culture of fear" among staff which meant

0:00:39 > 0:00:41incidents weren't being reported.

0:00:41 > 0:00:44One of the survivors, who broke her neck after being

0:00:44 > 0:00:50thrown from the carriage, says "things must change".

0:00:50 > 0:00:55She's been speaking to our Transport Correspondent Tom Edwards.

0:00:55 > 0:00:57All I could feel, my head was pounding, my neck was hurting,

0:00:57 > 0:00:58I couldn't breathe.

0:00:58 > 0:01:00I was just...

0:01:00 > 0:01:04All I could think of was pain, pain, pain.

0:01:04 > 0:01:06Christine fractured her neck and broke ribs

0:01:06 > 0:01:07in the Croydon tram rush.

0:01:07 > 0:01:12She was thrown through one of the windows.

0:01:12 > 0:01:14I was sitting through the window, because the window had

0:01:14 > 0:01:18completely broken out.

0:01:18 > 0:01:24And I was sitting, I could see the tram tracks and the stones.

0:01:24 > 0:01:27She was rescued from this wreckage and spent over three weeks in

0:01:27 > 0:01:28hospital.

0:01:28 > 0:01:30She's lost her job, and her old life is gone.

0:01:30 > 0:01:36I'm in constant pain all the time.

0:01:36 > 0:01:39I can't sleep, I don't even know what eight hours'

0:01:39 > 0:01:40sleep is like any more.

0:01:40 > 0:01:41I'm suffering.

0:01:41 > 0:01:43I'm alive and I thank God for that, but I'm suffering

0:01:43 > 0:01:44and struggling as well.

0:01:44 > 0:01:47Constant pain all the time.

0:01:47 > 0:01:53My life has changed completely.

0:01:53 > 0:01:55Today's report found a broken reporting system at the tram

0:01:55 > 0:01:58operator run by First Group.

0:01:58 > 0:02:03Nine drivers told investigators they were going so fast they used

0:02:03 > 0:02:07the emergency brake, on the same sharp corner

0:02:07 > 0:02:09where the tram later derailed, but they didn't feel

0:02:09 > 0:02:10they could report it.

0:02:10 > 0:02:13And just days before the crash a tram nearly toppled over taking

0:02:13 > 0:02:17the same corner too fast, and a passenger complaint

0:02:17 > 0:02:27from Chantelle Singh wasn't acted on properly.

0:02:28 > 0:02:31I was thinking - this is it, that's the end of my life,

0:02:31 > 0:02:33because when I looked up and looked through the window, there

0:02:33 > 0:02:37was another tram waiting there - I think it was a Beckenham Junction

0:02:37 > 0:02:39tram, just at the junction - and I was just thinking

0:02:39 > 0:02:41that I was going to die.

0:02:41 > 0:02:42Just thinking I was going to die.

0:02:42 > 0:02:45I believe that, and any other driver could potentially have been put

0:02:45 > 0:02:49in the same position, and therefore I think that the tram

0:02:49 > 0:02:53operator needs to come out and explain why that previous event

0:02:53 > 0:02:57was not properly investigated, and what steps they will take

0:02:57 > 0:03:00to make sure that any near-misses such as this are properly reported

0:03:00 > 0:03:04and properly investigated.

0:03:04 > 0:03:06Christine isn't sure who to blame, but she wants the authorities

0:03:06 > 0:03:11to make changes so the same thing doesn't happen again.

0:03:11 > 0:03:17They do need to really really get their staff to be able to talk

0:03:17 > 0:03:20to them if there is a problem, because negligence causes lives

0:03:20 > 0:03:24to be ruined, you know.

0:03:24 > 0:03:29You can't just have your staff and your staff can't come

0:03:29 > 0:03:31to you if there is a problem, because we are putting our

0:03:32 > 0:03:38lives in their hands.

0:03:38 > 0:03:40Well, Transport for London has offered its condolences

0:03:40 > 0:03:43to the families affected and today they told our Political Editor,

0:03:43 > 0:03:45Tim Donovan, that all 15 of the recommendations made

0:03:45 > 0:03:51were already being acted upon.

0:03:51 > 0:03:54Immediately we lowered the speed limit on the tram system totally.

0:03:54 > 0:03:57Where the speed goes from a higher speed to a lower speed

0:03:57 > 0:03:59with quite a difference, we staged those down,

0:03:59 > 0:04:03so down from 70 to 60, to 40 to 20 kilometres per hour.

0:04:03 > 0:04:06We have changed the signage on the sharp corners in order

0:04:06 > 0:04:09to make sure that the drivers are fully aware of the approaching

0:04:09 > 0:04:12corner, and we have fitted a device in the cab of the tram,

0:04:12 > 0:04:14a driver protection device, which is designed to

0:04:14 > 0:04:16guard against fatigue.

0:04:16 > 0:04:20It is widely used in the trucking industry, and also in coaches,

0:04:20 > 0:04:22especially overseas, and this detects whether the driver

0:04:22 > 0:04:26perhaps is suffering from a distraction, maybe a fatigue,

0:04:26 > 0:04:29sets off an alarm and also shakes the seat to make sure the driver's

0:04:30 > 0:04:31always vigilant at all times.

0:04:31 > 0:04:33But it took this tragedy for you to do this,

0:04:33 > 0:04:35when it shouldn't have done, should it?

0:04:35 > 0:04:40Because there were other incidents that were reported.

0:04:40 > 0:04:42There was one other incident just a few days before

0:04:42 > 0:04:43which wasn't reported - alarming.

0:04:43 > 0:04:49The system has had a very good safety record, but sadly

0:04:49 > 0:04:54on the 31st October, just a few days before

0:04:54 > 0:04:56this tragic incident, a member of the public did send

0:04:56 > 0:04:59in a report that a tram, she felt, had been travelling too fast.

0:04:59 > 0:05:02This report went straight to the operator, Tram Operations Limited,

0:05:02 > 0:05:03and was in the process of being investigated.

0:05:03 > 0:05:06And only a few days later, of course, we had

0:05:06 > 0:05:07the terrible tragedy.

0:05:07 > 0:05:10Now, this report took far too long to investigate.

0:05:10 > 0:05:13One of the things that we have done now is to make sure that those

0:05:13 > 0:05:16reports come through us at Transport for London so we have

0:05:16 > 0:05:18visibility of them straightaway, because we want to make sure

0:05:18 > 0:05:20that these investigations, when there are reports like this,

0:05:20 > 0:05:22are acted on immediately.

0:05:22 > 0:05:24Do you accept that if it had been acted on faster,

0:05:24 > 0:05:31that actually these lives could have been saved?

0:05:31 > 0:05:34The report does say that that particular incident was not a causal

0:05:34 > 0:05:37factor of this incident, but it has to be the case that

0:05:37 > 0:05:39anybody who has any concerns about anything to do with safety

0:05:39 > 0:05:42on our transport system in London feels able to report it

0:05:42 > 0:05:45and we should act on it as soon as possible in order to prevent any

0:05:46 > 0:05:48sort of safety incident.

0:05:48 > 0:05:51And do you accept that that has not happened and you should be really

0:05:51 > 0:05:52concerned about that?

0:05:52 > 0:05:56Because people have talked about a culture of fear,

0:05:56 > 0:05:58an inability to report, or a worry about reporting

0:05:58 > 0:05:59to this operator?

0:05:59 > 0:06:00What do you say about that?

0:06:00 > 0:06:02Well, nobody should have any fear.

0:06:02 > 0:06:03Members of staff...

0:06:03 > 0:06:06But they did have.

0:06:06 > 0:06:08Well, they shouldn't have, because they have a number

0:06:08 > 0:06:09of ways of reporting.

0:06:09 > 0:06:12Of course, the right thing to do was to report it to their manager.

0:06:12 > 0:06:15If they feel unable to do so, people are able to report

0:06:15 > 0:06:17it to the trade union.

0:06:17 > 0:06:18There is a confidential whistle-blowing service

0:06:18 > 0:06:19provided by the operator.

0:06:19 > 0:06:21People can report any safety concerns, and so we say

0:06:21 > 0:06:24to all of the staff, if there's anything that concerns

0:06:24 > 0:06:27you about safety on the network, you can report it without fear.

0:06:27 > 0:06:30You can report it confidentially if you wish to, and it's my job

0:06:30 > 0:06:32to make sure that those reports are acted on immediately

0:06:32 > 0:06:35and we satisfy ourselves that safety is paramount.

0:06:35 > 0:06:37TfL's Leon Daniels speaking to our Political

0:06:37 > 0:06:41Editor, Tim Donovan.

0:06:41 > 0:06:44In other news, the Mayor of London says he has no interest in becoming

0:06:44 > 0:06:47the next leader of the Labour Party or Britain's first

0:06:47 > 0:06:48Muslim Prime Minister.

0:06:48 > 0:06:51Sadiq Khan was speaking ahead of a meeting with Pakistan's Prime

0:06:51 > 0:06:52Minister in Islamabad.

0:06:52 > 0:06:53From there, our Political Correspondent, Karl Mercer,

0:06:54 > 0:06:58sent this report.

0:06:58 > 0:07:00It's the sort of reception leaders of countries usually get.

0:07:00 > 0:07:05The highest of security, the best of welcomes.

0:07:12 > 0:07:14Pakistan's leading politicians opened their doors to the Mayor,

0:07:14 > 0:07:17if not entirely to the chasing British press.

0:07:25 > 0:07:28Today, for Sadiq Khan, a meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister.

0:07:28 > 0:07:33It's an honour many visiting British ministers haven't even been given.

0:07:33 > 0:07:38I'm very proud that you are the Mayor.

0:07:40 > 0:07:44They call these grip and grins, it's what politicians do a lot of.

0:07:44 > 0:07:47This, the commerce minister...

0:07:47 > 0:07:51This man, Pakistan's Foreign Secretary.

0:07:51 > 0:07:55Could you help us understand how it is that the mayor of a humble

0:07:55 > 0:07:57city in the United Kingdom gets to meet such high-ranking officials

0:07:57 > 0:08:05in Pakistan such as yourself, and later the Prime Minister?

0:08:05 > 0:08:09It's an honour for me that Mr Sadiq Khan has been

0:08:09 > 0:08:11the Mayor of London, it's a matter of pride for us,

0:08:11 > 0:08:17a great honour for us.

0:08:17 > 0:08:26And we are proud of the values and traditions of British people

0:08:26 > 0:08:28that a person from the subcontinent of Pakistani regions

0:08:28 > 0:08:31could rise to that level.

0:08:31 > 0:08:34When Boris Johnson travelled the world when he was mayor,

0:08:34 > 0:08:35people criticised him.

0:08:35 > 0:08:37They said he was putting his own political ambitions

0:08:37 > 0:08:38ahead of those of London.

0:08:38 > 0:08:46So what about this man?

0:08:46 > 0:08:48Here, in the ambassador's garden, meeting and greeting

0:08:48 > 0:08:49dignitaries from overseas.

0:08:49 > 0:08:51Are you saying you don't have those grander ambitions?

0:08:51 > 0:08:53Let me be quite clear.

0:08:53 > 0:08:56I love being the mayor, I think I've got the best job in the world.

0:08:56 > 0:08:59I've no intention of being whatever Boris Johnson wanted to be.

0:08:59 > 0:09:02You don't even want to be the leader of your party?

0:09:02 > 0:09:04I do not want to be leader of the Labour Party.

0:09:04 > 0:09:05Ever?Ever.

0:09:05 > 0:09:07You don't want to be Prime Minister?

0:09:07 > 0:09:09I do not want to be Prime Minister.

0:09:09 > 0:09:11Ever?I think I've got a great job. Ever.

0:09:11 > 0:09:14I've got a great job as the Mayor of London.

0:09:14 > 0:09:17I get to help the city that I was born and raised in, and love,

0:09:17 > 0:09:20but also I get to meet people whose lives have been improved by some

0:09:21 > 0:09:22of our policies from City Hall.

0:09:22 > 0:09:25I love being the mayor of my city, I have no intention of running

0:09:25 > 0:09:28for the leader of the Labour Party, no intention of seeking

0:09:28 > 0:09:29to be the Prime Minister.

0:09:29 > 0:09:31Absolutely ruling it out?I'm ruling it out.

0:09:31 > 0:09:35Even if the ball comes free from the back of the scrum?

0:09:35 > 0:09:38If the ball comes free from the edge of the box, and I get a chance

0:09:38 > 0:09:41to shoot in the top right-hand corner and score a glory goal,

0:09:41 > 0:09:44I wouldn't do that, because I've already got a great job.

0:09:44 > 0:09:47I'm playing a different game - I'm busy playing cricket when you're

0:09:47 > 0:09:48offering me a job playing football.

0:09:48 > 0:09:51For now then, he says the job he's actually sticking

0:09:51 > 0:09:52to is that of being mayor.

0:09:54 > 0:09:56That's it for now from me so I'll say goodnight,

0:09:56 > 0:09:58but let's find out what the weather's up

0:09:58 > 0:09:59to with Darren Bett.

0:09:59 > 0:10:01to with Darren Bett.

0:10:01 > 0:10:06How is it looking? Thank you very much. We have sunshine today

0:10:06 > 0:10:11eventually after the rain. There will be more sunshine around

0:10:11 > 0:10:14tomorrow but you've probably noticed the change already. Much colder,

0:10:14 > 0:10:18although for most parts tomorrow it should be dry. Overnight we'll have

0:10:18 > 0:10:21largely clear skies. There are some showers that are trying to come down

0:10:21 > 0:10:26from the north-west. Still quite blowy out there and it'll feel

0:10:26 > 0:10:30colder. Temperatures not far away from freezing by the morning.

0:10:30 > 0:10:32Probably a bright start with some sunshine tomorrow. For the most part

0:10:32 > 0:10:36it will be a dry day with sunny spells but there will be more cloud

0:10:36 > 0:10:43at times and we could see one or two wintry showers from the north-west.

0:10:43 > 0:10:48Steered down on a brisk wind. Temp touring 3-5 but feeling colderp

0:10:48 > 0:10:52given the strength of thep wind. Into the weekend, looking at

0:10:52 > 0:10:56generally dry and sunny but cold weather on Saturday. Briefly on

0:10:56 > 0:11:00Sunday there may be snow before it turns back to rain but the threat of

0:11:00 > 0:11:02heavy rain on Monday. A lot to