Just when we thought that plans were all falling into place to improve access to West Hampstead Thameslink and to make it safer for pedestrians around Iverson Road it seems that the plans, if not derailed, are most certainly being downgraded!
West Hampstead Thameslink Station Upgrade
Network Rail's planned improvements included platform lengthening to fit 12-carriage trains, a new pedestrian bridge with step free access linking to a new station building on Iverson Road and a new "public space" between West End Lane and the station building. In December 2009,the Council gave Prior Approval (a form of planning permission) toNetwork Rail for the station building and public space. The shops along from the corner were demolishd as part of this process (see blog post July 13th) but things have slowed down.
Network Rail recently decided to review the detailed design of their proposals to make “efficiency savings”. They say they don’t plan to makefundamental changes but have “identified ways to reduce cost through adapting the design and construction methods to best suit operational requirements.” In real terms that means they are still doing it but it won’t look as good!
Network Rail will resubmit a "Prior Approval application" shortly after which the public will have 3 weeks to comment before a decision is made by Camden.
Meanwhile......
West Hampstead Interchange Streetscape Project
This was designed in some detail and is due to start as soon as the current utility works are completed in West End Lane (hopefullymid-October.) But the new “raised crossing” on Iverson Road will no longer be smartly carried out in granite paving slabs but done in asphalt (its apparently quicker and cheaper!) Any money saved may go to improving some poor paving north of Sumatra Road. Or it may not.....!
They repaved Sumatra Road in March and I thought it was just an excuse to use up some spare budget before the end of the financial year, but the result is actually a lot better--not only does it look nicer but I no longer trip over all the uneven paving stones. Dennington Park Road, Inglewood Road etc are still pretty treacherous, particularly if one of the street lights goes and it's gloomy for a few nights, so the opportunity to repave some of those might be good.
ReplyDeleteGood idea, though i think its actually West End Lane they have in mind!
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