'Serious Mistake' to Push On With Ealing Broadway Plans

Redevelopment musn't be 'quick fix' say concerned group

Plans for the redevelopment of Ealing Broadway Station for Crossrail need to be thoroughly reviewed and shouldn't be rushed through warn a group of local residents.

Members from Save Ealing Centre, as well as representatives of local forums were invited to a meeting with Crossrail and the Deputy Mayor of London for Transport, Isabel Dedring to see latest proposals.

They were shown new designs for the station which they believe are a step in the right direction. However, Nick Woolven, Chair of Save Ealing Centre has written to Ms Dedring outlining further concerns. He said:

'' What we saw last Thursday showed some material improvements to the Station design, and we are especially pleased the station’s setting and its history now appear understood as being important.  However, the new designs highlight more clearly than ever many wider questions surrounding the way the station will function as West London’s major transport hub, handling a considerable increase in passenger numbers.'' 

Mr Woolven's letter, signed by Bartlett Professor of Planning and Regeneration, Sir Peter Hall, film director,Tony Palmer, Robert Gurd from Ealing Civic Society and other local representatives, lists a number of points that they say need to be considered before any work can begin.

Concerns are raised over how the new station will integrate with the surrounding area, queries over the number of passengers using the station and provisions for transfers from Crossrail to other services.

'' Getting the details right needs just a few months of concentrated discussion with all the parties involved before anything is finalised.

''Bennetts must be given a brief which allows them to address the key issues. Their aim must be to create a station that will be fit for generations to come.  We are in danger of being committed to a quick fix, which will be disastrous given the level of real consultation that has occurred thus far.''

Mr Woolven concludes: '' In short we think it will be a serious mistake to push on with approving plans for the station before all these questions are resolved.  Of course we understand the constraints Crossrail and everyone else is working under in terms both of time and financial resources, but in our view allocating more of both now will prove extremely beneficial in the future.  Would any great designer or urban planner have been so constrained? We doubt it.''

A spokesman for Crossrail said: “Over the last few months Crossrail has been working closely with Ealing Council and its architectural advisors to make changes to the initial station design that was submitted last year.

“We absolutely recognise the importance of getting the designs right and are confident the outcome will be a vast improvement on the existing building. We hope to submit the revised proposals to Ealing Council shortly.”

According to the Crossrail timetable, work on the station is due to start October 2015 and expected to last around 14 months. 

Transport For London (TfL) want to hear how Crossrail will affect Ealing and are looking to interview people who will be affected by the new Crossrail service.

E-mail: xrailproduction@gmail.com

May 7th 2014