Seasonal salutations and best wishes for 2009 to Call Sign readers everywhere. I hope you have been able to take at least a little time over the holiday period to take your feet off the pedals
and get some rest ahead of the challenges that the New Year will no doubt bring us all. The Editor of this publication has made me aware that he quite rightly intends to hold promises I made on the election trail to account. And I hope he will give a favourable review!
   It has been an incredibly hectic, yet immensely satisfying year. I know you’ll agree that London’s cabbies are the finest that can be
found; and my team has been working extremely hard to make the changes you told us you
hoped to see.
   You will have heard that the mid-year inspections were scrapped and that we are doubling
the number of cab enforcement officers to crack down on the touts who flout the laws of our
land and pose real danger to their passengers.
   No doubt you will also be aware that I have asked Transport for London to begin the legal
processes required to remove the western extension of the congestion charge. And that from next year there will be less bendy buses in London as their contracts expire on three of the capital’s routes.
   In 2009, I hope to be able to bring you good news of my holy war on holey roads. I am as sick
and tired of sitting in traffic jams caused by the craters that litter our roads as you are. We are
urging the Government to approve a permit scheme that will allow a much more powerful fining regime and new powers to hold the utility
companies to account. Work will also continue on the rephasing of London’s traffic signals aimed at reducing the stopping and starting on your journey.
   My thanks go to each and every one of you, for the hard and sometimes unappreciated work
you put in each day. You play a huge part in the success of the capital and I can assure you that
my mayoralty will never forget that.
   Here’s to a smooth running, prosperous and crater free 2009…

Boris Johnson
Mayor of London