Further Calls To Review Crossrail 2 Work In Wimbledon


Local people "feel ignored" says Lib Dem Mayoral candidate

Further calls to review the impact of Crossrail 2 works in Wimbledon were made today (February 19) by Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Caroline Pidgeon.

During visits to Wimbledon and Raynes Park stations, she called for a review to be conducted by a panel independent of Transport for London. 

The panel would be would be made up of representatives from local residents’ groups, businesses and Merton Council, advised by international transport consultants.

She said: “There are serious issues in Wimbledon, Raynes Park and Motspur Park about the effect Crossrail 2 works would have on the area. Residents have been presented with only one option for Wimbledon town centre, and no effort has been made to show if or why alternatives wouldn't work.

“There has been no real engagement and many residents' groups feel ignored. There are also no plans for maintaining and improving existing stations in the interim like Raynes Park and Motspur Park, which are not currently accessible for many local people and could remain that way for more than 15 years until Crossrail 2 is built.

“Local people deserve better. An independent panel can listen to all views and make recommendations on the way forward. It will be high on my priority list after the elections in May.”

The £12 billion new line, which would also give a proposed journey time to Tottenham Court Road of 14 minutes for trains stopping at Wimbledon, is aimed at relieving congestion on the Victoria, Northern and Piccadilly lines.

A Crossrail document giving more details of the potential impact on Wimbledon reveals that about half of Centre Court shopping centre could be retained, with the rest needing to be demolished to extend the size of the station.

Merton Council has already put out a cross-party statement warning that the work will cause an "unacceptable level of upheaval and disruption for businesses and residents".

Subject to Government funding and approval, construction could begin in 2020 with the first Crossrail 2 service running in 2030.

The new railway would provide capacity for 270,000 more people to access central London during the morning peak, with an increase in the number of trains from major destinations across south west London and Surrey including Wimbledon, New Malden, Kingston and Epsom.

What do you think? Why not comment on our forum?

February 19, 2016